iPad 3 charging issues

Ok, this is pretty serious.

Not only won't the charger charge the iPad when it's being used, it's actually causing the iPad to lose power FASTER when the charger is plugged in!

I was out for awhile and had the iPad completely turned off and charged it up to 100%. I was surfing for seven minutes and the power level didn't drop one iota. Then I plug the charger in and immediately it drops to 99%, and two minutes later drops to 98%. I unplug the charger and then it goes another 7 minutes before dropping to 97%.

So my next test is once again turning the iPad off and charging it back up to 100%. This time I leave the charger unplugged completely. 10 minutes until it drops down to 99%. Another 7 minutes and it drops to 98%, then another 8 minutes before it drops to 97%.

I repeated the tests above three times exactly the same each time, doing the exact same things on the iPad each time with the same apps open. The results were identical.

This proves that having the charger plugged in while using the iPad not only doesn't charge it, but is actually causing the power to deplete faster.

I have never used any electronic device, EVER, that actually lost power when the charger was plugged in. The whole point of being able to plug in your electronic device at home is so that you don't waste the battery reserve. This is a major freaking screw up on Apple's part, and had they announced this would be the case at the keynote address, blogs would be overflowing with negative press as they should be. I did not spend $800 on a device so that I could only use it for a certain amount of time, and then not be able to use it at all until it's recharged again. I always keep my devices plugged in at home when I'm using them so that when I do leave the house they are fully charged and ready to go.

If Apple doesn't release a fix for this, and soon, or supply us with more powerful chargers, I'll likely return the "new and improved but can't be charged while in use" iPad. Maybe that's why they called it the new iPad instead of the iPad 3, because after all, it really is no evolution in battery technology. Name one device that won't stay fully charged while plugged into the charger while you're using it, other than this new iPad. Pathetic Apple, just pathetic. I bet if Steve Jobs were around he never would have green lighted this. In fact, he probably wouldn't have green lighted a heavier iPad, which is why Apple never made compromises in the past. They weren't willing to do what the public demanded, if it meant sacrificing important functionality. Well, Apple, not being able to keep your iPad fully charged while plugged in and using it is a major sacrifice of functionality, and Steve Jobs would have likely fired and spit on the person or team who screwed the pooch on this one.

And one other thing..... Why is the USB dock cable that comes with the new iPad only 2/3 as thick as the one that comes with the iPhone? I tried using the thicker, iPhone cable but it made no difference with regards to charging. Just wondering why you would use even thinner gauge wire (or insulation) in the cable for the iPad...

My iPad is now down to 90% and it's been 30 minutes. At that rate it's five hours of use, not ten.

I wouldn't care, if I could keep it at 100% by keeping it plugged in.....which I can't do, obviously.

Thanks, Apple!

I officially christen thee "batterygate."

I'm using the included iPad3 charger, and I'm charging the iPad3 for the first time- I'm seeing noticeably slower battery charging time in comparison to the iPad2 (this confirmed by a quick search here, and finding that you all are having similar battery charging issues with the new iPad3.) I'm not using the iPad3 while charging- smart cover is on, and so the iPad3 is asleep. Hmmm, must be the newer, bigger battery? Seems like 10% per hour is the consensus on the charging time, so a full charge from zero percent would take ten hours! I love the new screen and the speed of the iPad3, so I really don't want to return it... I also noticed the charging wire on the iPad3 is thinner that iPad2 charging wire.

Hopefully, Apple will address the battery charging issue. Hopefully, a faster battery charger will soon become available.

If yours is draining whiskey plugged in I think you a problem with the charger or iPad as mine still charged at the average 10% per hour whilst I was using it last night.

Eventually got to 100% but is definitely taking 10 hours!

Yes... It's been exactly 8 hours of being charged overnight, and has went from 2% to 79%. Meaning it adds a10% charge, per hour, thus it must charge 10 full hours! That is insane!

Anyway, they both have the same charging issues so this is a definite problem with all iPads, or the iPad chargers supplied. I believe Apple will have to send us all replacement chargers.

I'm having no charging issues with mine, so it's not a definite problem with all iPads, or with all iPad chargers.

I have been in contact with apple support they have confirmed that it should not be taking 10 hours to charge, so I am booked at the apple store for an exchange! So get onto support or an apple store if u are having the same charging problem.

@Tiktokoz, how long did they indicate the charge should take?

Mine fully charges overnight. Yesterday I also tested charging it while in use. I let it fully deplete & shut off. Then I plugged in the charger, waited for it to power up, and started using it for web browsing & similar tasks. In approximately 1hr, 15 min it indicated about a 15% charge.

I had probably have a dozen or so apps backgrounded during this time.

Here here!

I didn't use the new charger that came with my new iPad, I used the charger from my original iPad. Charged to 100% in about 5 hours. It could be that some shipped iPads had defective chargers so exchange the charger with Apple. It isn't a conspiracy and even Mr. Jobs never achieved 100% shipment reliability. Or do you not remember the iPhone 3G wall chargers?

It is a definite problem, my senerio was this, took off charger yesterday around 1pm at 100% played a little, surfed a little, took lots of pictures and video recorded daughters birthday party. Went to bed around 11:30 level was at 49%, woke up this morning read email and some news, then I went to work and streamed a radio station (101.1 the wrif) by around 11:30 am level was around 28% so I put on charger. I got out of work at 5pm and it was at 100%. Now here is the weird thing, it retained 100% for approx. 45 minutes of surfing then 99% and after that it dropped 1% every 5-10 minutes. Currently it is 11:15 pm and am at 74%. I won't charge over night, but will probably start charging at work tomorrow around noon and try to obtain 100% by time I leave work again at 5.. I also think apple should make this right and supply us with a more powerful charger...just a little tweak in that direction and will be almost like the 2 charging time, but still less which is acceptable with the bigger battery

Oh and one more thing, I haven't even opened nor used the charger the new iPad came with, still using my charger and cable from my iPad 2

Unbelievable and unacceptable, it took 8 hours to charge from 0 to 100% on my new iPad3. Apple, you must solve this problem quickly.

I used new original charger with my new iPad 3. gen, and it charged 2% to 100% in about 7.5 hours. This is the worst side new ipad! Newer buy it with this charger!