iPad 4 review update: Apple has now announced that a 128GB version of the iPad 4 will be available to buy. It will go on sale on 5/2/13 and will cost £639 for Wi-Fi-only and £739 for Wi-Fi and Cellular.
It's only been seven months since Apple brought us the iPad 3, or new iPad, and now we have the iPad 4, or fourth generation iPad with Retina display. Read our iPad 4 review to find out what's new. See also: iPad 4 features.
Apple iPad 4: Design and build quality
There's no mistaking the iPad 4 from the previous version of Apple's tablet. Oh wait, yes there is. Once again, the iPad looks no different with Apple sticking to the same rectangular shape with rounded corners and edges.
There's no change in dimensions so it's 186 x 241 x 9.4mm and 652g (662g for the cellular model). Of course if you don't like the size of the iPad, there's now the iPad mini as a smaller option.
As we've come to expect from the iPad and iPhone, and the Mac range for that matter, the build quality is exceptional. Attention to detail is paramount and the iPad feels as premium as it always has.
Read: iPad 3 vs iPad 4 comparison review.
So if the iPad 4 look and feels the same as the previous generation what's different? We'll there's only one visual change to the design which comes in the form of the Lightning connector, the rest is all buried inside.
Apple iPad 4: Hardware
As usual Apple has updated the hardware of the tablet. First and foremost is a new processor, the A6X. This dual-core processor with quad-core graphics is supposedly twice as fast as the A5 chip found in the iPad 3 with twice the graphics performance.
Naturally we put these claims to the test. Apple doesn't publish clock speeds and such like but the GeekBench 2 app states the A6X is 1.39GHz and the iPad 4 has 1GB of RAM – 988MB for our exact sample.
The numbers are certainly impressive. In GeekBench 2 we saw a new record of 1769 (the iPad 3 scored in the region of 750) and in the SunSpider JavaScript test the iPad 4 managed a speedy average of 854ms.
While the numbers can amaze and astound, it's the real life user performance which is important. The iPad 4 is a nippy device but the overall impression is that it's not much quicker than the iPad 3, certainly not twice as fast.
We did find graphics performance impressive with a frame rate of 39fps, the iPad 3 managed 22fps. So it's the graphics improvements which are the more noticeable. We could see no difference in general navigation but more noticeable in more demanding tasks. In Apple Maps, for example, pinch zooming is a little bit smoother.
Price and storage options are the same as previous iPads - £399 for 16GB Wi-Fi only ranging all the way up to £739 for 128GB with Wi-Fi and 3G/4G cellular data. If you can afford the price tag, there's an iPad to fit your needs. Be wise with your storage option since, as usual, there's no microSD card slot for expansion.
There's no change when it comes to the screen – it's still 9.7in in size with the stunning 1536 x 2048 Retina quality resolution. There's really no faulting the LED-backlit IPS display.
There are a few important changes when it comes to connectivity. The first, as we mentioned earlier, is the Lightning connector. It's smaller, reversible and means you need to buy an adaptor if you want to plug it into any existing 30-pin accessories.
The other big change is 4G connectivity. The iPad 3 was marketed as 4G capable but didn't suit the UK's 4G frequencies so Apple removed the claim. If you want, and can afford, 4G mobile broadband, then this iPad will cater for your needs. The iPad mini also supports 4G in the UK. See also: What is 4G? A complete guide.
Connectivity like Bluetooth remains the same but Apple has upgraded the Wi-Fi. We not sure sure the channel bonding is going to make much difference but we'll update this review when we've had more time to conduct some tests.
iPad with Retina Display video review
iPad 4: Cameras
There's not a great deal of change when it comes to the iPad's cameras. Those hoping for an 8Mp rear camera will be disappointed to find it's still the same 5Mp iSight camera found on the iPad 3.
It's unsurprising then that results are similar – a useful camera if you don't mind using a device as large as an iPad for taking snaps. The only change is the addition of a back-illuminated sensor which should help in low light situations.
The bigger, and more useful change is the front facing camera which is now a 1.2Mp FaceTime HD shooter capturing up to 720p footage. This offers a much higher quality picture than before making your Photo Booth pictures better and, provided broadband speeds are fast enough, improved Skype and FaceTime calls.
iPad 4 review: Software
There's not a great deal to say about the software on the iPad 4. It comes pre-loaded with iOS 6 including Siri which is also available on the iPad 3. Some recent and notable changes to the operating system include the switch between Google Maps and Apple's own mapping system – the firm's own-brand app has received heavy criticism for its many failings. Luckily there are alternatives out there in app form, or you can use Google Maps in Safari. Apple has also ditched the YouTube app but the service is available via the web browser.
Something to bear in mind is that apps supporting the Retina resolution take up considerably more space than previous ones. You may find yourself filling up 16GB of storage faster than you expected.
For a more in-depth look, check out our iOS 6 review.
iPad 4 reivew: Battery life
Once again Apple touts a double digit battery life of 10 hours for the iPad 4 when browsing the web over Wi-Fi. It's difficult to give you a 'typical' usage figure since everyone will use their iPad for different tasks for various periods of time.
We found that using the iPad 4 heavily meant we needed to charge it at the end of the day. If you predominantly use a smartphone and use the iPad occasionally then it will stretch much further, a few days' worth is likely.
Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.
Comments
Gregg said: My god This is pathetic You are pathetic
Guest said: the price is
Jemma Honey said: Loved this review its a really great product I dont know what I would do without it But if like me you were a bit shocked with the price heres a tip on how to get this item for basically a 10 and a little bit of workAll you need to do is go to wwwthe free scenecouk and sign up for the william hill offer for 10 Contact support and you will be able to get your money back afterIts all been proven by BBC CNN Channel 4 and Channel 5I hope this helps someone on here
Arthurmeredith7473 said: Let me try one for free 4029 lincoln St louis mo 63113
Farol said: Apple is selling its best product with 1GB of RAM and 14Ghz CPU at an extremely high price Do you see a problem here The screen is still at a minuscule 97 Shouldnt they go for 12 and 28Ghz with 4GB of RAM If you buy a product today it might as well last for a couple of years Tiny specs and a wide margin thats Apple At the bare minimum you are already paying the price for a higher model
NCBrian said: whole lotta but-hurtDoes a new device coming out a few months after you purchased your device affect the quality of the device you purchasedBrand loyalty is for suckers and I for one think its awesome that so many people have followed apple into what was clearly a stagnating tablet industry Competition drives quality up and prices downI agree that some Apple products are toorestrictive specifically the iPhone and the iPad My wife loves her iPad but well never use iPhones as long as Android exists unless something changesBut as far as computers - Mac OS is the bestoperatingsystem i have ever used
Neo Haming said: I dont like that you cant directly copy video and music from laptop to iPad But then I have found ArkMC application and I dont need to copy anythign I can watch video and listen to music from laptop on my iPad via Wi-Fi and DLNA technologies
Star Sign said: i bought the iPad4 and its really a charming delight
Sabrina said: After reading your postI begin to think more positively Youare rightmay be were just too obsessd with owning the latest and greatestoverlooking the fact that it was the need that led us to purchase a product Stillthe pinch is thereIt was too soon for the product to become obsoleteAnywaythanks for the advice
Sabrina said: I fully agree with youEver since I bought my first Imac back in 2007I became aloyal fan of Apple productsI bought Ipad 3 in Septembernowjust2 months plusmy Ipad had became obsolute On top of thatwhen they made comparisonsit was between Ipad MiniIpad 2 and Ipad with Retina DisplayThe New IpadIpad 3was completely left outas if it never existed I am totally disappointed with AppleThey trully had no respect for their customersI had emailed to the Apple CEO about this issueOf courseI never expected any replyTrue enoughthere was never any reply even I had sent 2 emailsAnywaya friend of mine consoled me by telling to consider the Ipad I ownedas a limited edition unit That was a stupid suggestionI shall say goodbye to Apple tooMy next product will be from Samsung
Huonglan86 said: I want to put buy ipad4 with capacity of 64G 3G for 659 I will bear the shipping cost and got it in Vietnam if so please contact my mobile number is 0908110941 or email huonglan86 yahoocom
toyeboy said: You could always sell your iPad 3 and get the iPad 4 they have an excellent resale value
toyeboy said: I have the iPad 4th gen and its a pretty amazing piece of technology Its my first Apple product and Im just thrilled with it I feel like Im using a 1000 device honestly build wise and the smoothness is just brilliant coming from a less than stellar Android tablet it was okay just no where near the iPad
Bijin said: Whats an ipad
Ilikemomo6 said: Pc advisor is really on apples nuts arent they There are better review more honest even talk about the glue on the first page of a google search Lol apple u crazy At this rate waitin for iPad X wont be nearly as long
Matt Egan said: Apples branding is confusing - its called simply iPad with Retina Display This despite the fact that the previous third-generation iPad also had a Retina Display
Jrey638v said: its release the same date ipad mini was
mediumsizedrob said: Just because there is an upgraded version your iPad 3 didnt suddenly become useless You no longer have the brand new one So what I dont believe there is even one app that comes anywhere close to taking advantage of that new processor In nearly all everyday tests even with heavy graphic rendering or video processing youre going to wait about 5 seconds longer maxUnless the only reason you bought it was to have the latest and greatest and not for any real need for the device In that case you were just setting yourself up for eventual disappointment At any rate have a little perspective Apple released a new product Your post sounds like the rantings of a jilted lover
Laughingatapplesheep said: ba-a-a-a-a-a-a sheep try the new Galaxy Note 101
Anthonydaniejenkins said: Thanx Im going to get the ipad 4 next week my only concern is surely they cant render this new new ipad obseliet when the ipad 5comes out can they And I hope it doesent come out for at least another year Please apple give your true appleiets timewe love you apple lol