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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is deploying a fleet of tablets for…
A technician is deploying a fleet of tablets for field workers who need to print invoices on a Bluetooth printer. The tablets are Android-based and support Bluetooth 5.0. The printer is an older model supporting Bluetooth 2.1. Which of the following is true about the compatibility between these devices?
⚠ Common exam trap
In CompTIA A+ exams, a common pitfall is assuming that newer Bluetooth versions are not backward compatible, leading candidates to incorrectly select version mismatch as a reason for failure.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities.
Bluetooth is backward compatible, meaning a Bluetooth 5.0 device can connect to a Bluetooth 2.1 device. When paired, the connection negotiates the highest common version, which is Bluetooth 2.1. Therefore, the tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities, including its speed, range, and power consumption profile.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The tablet will not be able to pair with the printer due to version mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth's inherent backward compatibility design allows devices with different version numbers to establish a connection and pair successfully. A Bluetooth 5.0 tablet can readily discover and initiate pairing with a Bluetooth 2.1 printer, as the protocol is designed to ensure interoperability across generations, preventing version mismatches from being a barrier to initial connection.
- ✗
The connection will operate at Bluetooth 5.0 speeds and range.
Why it's wrong here
The connection between a Bluetooth 5.0 tablet and a Bluetooth 2.1 printer will not leverage the advanced capabilities of Bluetooth 5.0. Instead, the operational parameters, including data transfer speeds, range, and power consumption features, will be limited to the specifications of the older Bluetooth 2.1 standard. The connection defaults to the lowest common denominator to ensure compatibility.
- ✓
The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities.
Why this is correct
Due to Bluetooth's robust backward compatibility, the tablet and printer will successfully establish a connection. However, the operational capabilities of this link, such as data transfer rates, effective range, and available profiles, will be constrained by the older Bluetooth 2.1 standard. The connection will function, but only at the performance level supported by the least capable device involved.
- ✗
The printer must be upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0 to work with the tablet.
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading the printer to a newer Bluetooth version like 4.0 is entirely unnecessary for it to function with a Bluetooth 5.0 tablet. Bluetooth technology is specifically engineered for backward compatibility, meaning older devices can seamlessly connect and communicate with newer ones without requiring hardware or firmware updates to match versions. The existing Bluetooth 2.1 printer will establish a connection without any modifications.
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Mobile Device Types and Features
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A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Key term
Android
Android is an open-source operating system used primarily on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, developed by Google.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.