New iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air 6 have lost support for 5G mmWave networks, which have higher speed but shorter range
9 May
2024
– 10:30 am
(updated at 10:54 am)
In addition to bringing new features such as a thinner construction and the arrival of the M4 processor, the new iPad Pro also had a more discreet change in its technical sheet — which is actually a downgrade compared to the previous generation. After all, the tablet lost support for 5G mmWave networks, which deliver the highest connection speeds on mobile networks.
Photo: Disclosure/Apple / Canaltech
New iPad Pro does not support 5G mmWave networks (Image: Disclosure/Apple)
Photo: Canaltech
Adopted on Apple devices since the 2020 iPhone 12, 5G mmWave is notable for achieving transfer rates of up to 2 Gigabit per second — for comparison purposes, this is about five times higher than the average 5G speed on the Brazil.
It is not known exactly why Apple removed support for 5G mmWave on the iPad, but the reality is that the technology has not gained much scope in recent years.
iPad Air also starts to operate only with sub-6 GHz 5G (Image: Disclosure/Apple)
Photo: Canaltech
mmWave operates in higher frequency bands, which allows for faster data download and upload speeds. However, this also means that they have a very limited range, and therefore can be used only a few meters away from the antennas.
Furthermore, the waves are not able to penetrate walls, glass or trees, and therefore only work in open environments, in practice. Even so, the technology can still be useful for environments with a high concentration of devices, such as stadiums, music shows and airports, for example.
In this way, Apple may have considered the fact that tablets are mostly used in domestic environments, where mmWave does not reach. In addition to the iPad Pro, the new iPad Air also lost support for the technology.
In both recently launched tablets, support for 5G in sub-6 Ghz spectrum (with less speed, but greater range) remains, in addition to LTE in 31 bands and Wi-Fi.
Both the iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Air 6 are already listed on Apple’s Brazilian website, but they do not yet have a release date in the country.
Trending on Canaltech:
+The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Terra Newsletter. Click here!
