iPad Pro Lightning Port Supports USB 3.0 Speeds

Apple loves using proprietary technology, like the Lightning port for example. For those unfamiliar with the specs of the port, it basically facilitates transfer speeds of around 25-35MB/s which is more or less what USB 2.0 is capable of. Given that USB 3.0 exists and let’s not forget USB Type-C, when will Apple “upgrade” their ports?

Turns out it’s already here. According to a recent teardown by iFixit (via MacRumors), they discovered that Apple’s iPad Pro features a Fresco Logic FC1100 4-port USB 3.0 Host Controller, indicating that the tablet has the potential to support USB 3.0 transfer speeds. In addition to this, CNET’s review of the tablet also pointed out that the tablet will support USB 3.0 speeds.

However there is a catch and that is it will require an adapter in order to do so. USB 3.0 speeds over Lightning have been rumored about for a while now and it looks like it’s finally here, sort of. With the adapter, we could be potentially looking at speeds upwards of 60MB/s, and given how the iPad Pro has been designed and aimed at professionals who might need to transfer large image/video files, this upgrade makes sense.

No word on when these adapters from Apple will be released. There is also no telling if Apple will introduce new Lightning cables that will enable USB 3.0 speeds either, but if anything this does seem to hint at the direction that Apple is headed towards. Perhaps next year’s iPhones will see the inclusion of similar technology.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Tablets
Tags: iPad Pro