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Apple iPad 4 review

9.1/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPad 4
Apple iPad 4
Apple iPad 4
Apple iPad 4
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9.1/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad 4 currently has an Informr score of 9.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 20 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

In announcing the fourth-generation iPad and breaking a three-year tradition of selling only one new tablet a year, Apple has caused some outrage among iPad 3 owners. But Apple needed to shorten the product cycle to add tweaks and improvements to the iPad amid a flurry of Windows 8 and Android tablets offered by other device-makers.

Marketed as "iPad with Retina display", this latest model features a faster A6X chip, an improved front facing camera, and the more compact and durable connector called Lightning which was introduced with the iPhone 5.

Benchmarks have confirmed that the iPad 4's A6X dual-core 1.4GHz processor alongside 1GB of RAM offers over two times the performance of the previous model. The new chip doesn't worsen battery life, giving users up to 10 hours of video. Although the rear iSight 5-megapixel camera remains the same, this model also features a front-facing FaceTime camera that has been upgraded to HD status to offer 720p video recording and sharper self-portraits.

Beyond that, the improvements are undoubtedly marginal over the seven month old iPad 3. It has the same 2,048 x 1,536 pixel Retina display on its 9.7-inch screen and other than its new 9-pin dock connector, is the same design, size (including 9.4 mm thickness), and weight (650 grams).

At release, the $499 iPad 4 will ship with iOS 6.0, which includes the Siri digital assistant and 200 new features. iPad 3 launched with iOS 5.1, which had YouTube and Google Maps among the pre-installed apps. iOS 6 kicked out Google Maps and replaced it with Apple's own map service which has had numerous issues. Despite this, iOS is still second to none in terms of functionality and app selection, of which there are now over 275,000 specifically designed for a tablet.

While the latest iPad doesn't offer dramatic changes, it does improve on an already amazing device. Those of you in the market for a new tablet or using an iPad 2 - this is the best 10" tablet on the market and you are sure to be enchanted. iPad 3 owners - you should probably sit this one out.

Need to know: Apple iPad 4

1. Faster A6X processor adds extra system speed and graphics power. (The Good)

2. The widest selection of tablet-optimized apps. (The Good)

3. Offers few improvements over its predecessor. (The Bad)

4. Expensive, especially if adding the LTE feature. (The Bad)


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
1.4 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.4 GHz
9.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
9.7"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
11560 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

As we've come to expect from an Apple product, iOS is incredibly smooth. Every single transition and operation happens incredibly smoothly and there's none of the inherent jerkiness you get with an Android device. Web browsing is an absolute pleasure, with even the most complex sites rendering quick...

- David Ludlow, Expert Reviews
What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

With this kind of processing power and all-round performance it’s easy to see why the iPad is so popular. The benchmark has been set extremely high. Let’s just hope its rivals aren’t down and out already.

- What Hi-Fi team, What Hi-Fi
ITProPortal
ITProPortal

Apple’s new iPad is quite simply the best 10in tablet out there. The iPad’s performance is head and shoulders above the competition, and it provides a premium screen and processor to match its premium price. The iPad's expansive library of tablet-focused apps is also a big tick for the Apple tablet.

- Sascha Segan, ITProPortal
Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag

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- Daniel Berg, Laptop Mag
TabletPCReview
TabletPCReview

Many would argue that the iPad 4 came out sooner than it should have, or criticize that there really isn't any difference between this and the third gen iPad... both statements aren't too far from the truth.The fact of the matter is however, with a newer faster processor on what already was one of t...

- Louie Tran, TabletPCReview


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Quick view

Screen Size
9.7"

The Apple iPad 4's screen size is 9.7 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.4 GHz

There is a Apple A6X Dual core 1.4 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 5+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/32/64/128 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
11560mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 11560 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 30 days standby time, 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad 4 Specs

Overview
Release Date November 2, 2012
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A6X Dual core 1.4 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64/128 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.08 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Manual
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
Expansion Slot Info
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, ƒ/2.4 aperture, Backside illumination, Five-element lens, Hybrid IR filter
Video Recording Formats
H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection, Geotagging
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density 264 pixels
Size 9.7 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Retina Display
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 11560 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 30 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 24.1 x 18.6 x 0.9 cm (9.5 x 7.3 x 0.4 in)
Weight 652 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Mute Key: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC, AAC+, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video Playback Formats: H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, GIF, HTML, JPG, PDF, PPT, PPTX, RTF, TIFF, TXT, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Weather, Stocks, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): iPad 4th Generation Wi-Fi, Apple iPad Wi-Fi with Retina Display, iPad 4 Wi-Fi
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Apple iPad 4 Reviews
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