The iPad is not a bad choice for mobile users: it is compact and light, has a much larger screen than an iPhone and even a mid-range device like the iPad Air (2020) can take it with it in terms of computing power thanks to the A14 chip some Mac. To go online, however, a WLAN connection is required – unless the user has accepted the surcharge for a model with cellular antennas in order to be as independent as possible. Many users prefer this option to a mobile hotspot, as the feature puts an above-average load on the smartphone’s battery. After Apple also uses 5G for the first time with the iPhone 12, the iPad could soon follow.
iPad Pro could get 5G
Anyone who opts for an iPad in the cellular version today can easily access the GSM, 3G and LTE networks – provided the user has a corresponding cellular tariff and a SIM card or eSIM. The latest and fastest standard is currently not available: 5G is not supported by any iPad. A new report from DigiTimes but cites sources that see this step coming: Apple’s upcoming high-end tablets are to be equipped with powerful AiP (antenna in package) modules that enable particularly fast transfer rates via mmWave.
mmWave again not in Europe?
Apple has made significant strides in the area of AiP modules, the report said. It is almost certain that the company will introduce a new iPad Pro in 2021 – some sources even assume two models with different display technology. This means that these devices could also be equipped with 5G support for the first time – although it can be doubted that mmWave support for data rates up to 20 Gbit / s is also available in Germany: On the one hand, there is a lack of appropriately allocated frequencies in Germany, on the other hand, Apple could – as before for the iPhone – limit the technical equipment of the iPads outside of the USA to the sub-6 GHz range. More information on the different speeds in the 5G network can be found here.