The iPad Pro could charge much faster if Apple would allow a USB 3 Lightning cable
Anyone with an iPad Pro has learned first hand that charging its huge 7,700 mAH battery can take a long amount of time. Charging a completely drained tablet can take up to four and a half hours using the included 12 watt USB charger and USB 2.0 Lightning cable.
But according to a new report from AppleInsider, the tablet could be charged much faster – up to 29 watts – the same speed as a 12-inch Retina MacBook Pro. There’s one big issue though. There are currently no USB 3 Lightning cables on the market.
Here’s more from the report:
Apple isn’t even allowing third-party manufacturers to make Lightning to USB-C cables that would allow charging and syncing an iPhone or iPad directly to the 12-inch MacBook. A representative from a major Apple-authorized accessory maker confirmed to AppleInsider this week that Lightning-to-USB-C cables do not meet the iPad maker’s current requirements.
The untapped faster charging capabilities hidden within the iPad Pro are thanks to the inclusion of a Fresco Logic FL1100 USB host controller, which can deliver USB 3.0 “SuperSpeed” bandwidth to four separate ports.
Back in December, Apple released its first – and so far only – USB 3 capable accessory that works with the larger tablet. A Lightning to SD Camera Card Reader can transfer data at up to USB 3 speeds. It costs $29.
Even if there was a USB 3 Lightning cable on the market, Apple would more than likely have to update the iPad Pro’s firmware to allow the faster charging capability.
For other news today, see: Apple is reportedly bankrolling a new original TV series starring Dr. Dre, Class-action lawsuit filed in response to iPhone’s Error 53, and AT&T gearing up for 5G, the next speed boost for cellular data.