This may be a silly question, but I need to know.
I am planning to get the WiFi only version of the new iPad Pro 2020, when 5G network is out on the new phones next year, I will most likely connect the 5G mobile hotspot with the iPad, can the iPad support / fully utilize the speed of 5G? or will it remain as 4G? I have no idea how it works. Please enlighten me.
Thank you.
If your mobile phone offers a 5GHz WiFi hotspot connection, your iPad will be able to connect to it. Insofar as the iPad is concerned, it is just like any other WiFi network.
My previous comment was merely intended to highlight that many mobile devices, when automatically selecting the band/channel for the hotspot, will often favour the 2.4GHz band - presumably to offer compatibility with a wider range of devices.
To date, no WiFi & Cellular models of iPad (including the just announced 2020 iPad Pro models) can support Next Generation 5G Cellular connectivity. Recent Cellular models of iPad, including the 2020 models, support LTE/4G.
5G Cellular should not be confused with WiFi capabilities. Recent iPads all support dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi. The new 2020 models of iPad Pro support 802.1ax WiFi (also known as WiFi-6) - also operating at 5GHz.
As you planning to purchase a WiFi Only iPad (that lacks both Cellular radio and GPS capability), 5G Cellular capabilities of iPad are irrelevant to you. Your iPad will be able to connect to any compatible 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi network - including any cellular hotspot (typically provided over a 2.4GHz WiFi link) provided by a mobile phone - be it 4G/LTE or 5G.
I hope this clarification is helpful in answering your question.
Thank you so much for your detailed and very informative reply.
I thought that 5Ghz Hotspot will also provide a 5Ghz wifi speed, in that case 2.4Ghz is the max cap for mobile hotspots ? Thanks !
iPad Pro 2020, 5G Network Concerns
