Apple iPad 2020 Cellular (3GB + 32GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The 2020 8th Generation iPad features the A12 Bionic chip, offering significant performance gains while retaining a classic design with chunky bezels and Touch ID. While the 10.2-inch screen is bright, it lacks anti-reflective coating and True Tone, and the 32GB base storage is considered restrictive. Despite dated hardware, the device supports the first-gen Apple Pencil and serves as a powerful, affordable entry-level tablet, though it features a subpar 1.2MP front camera.

The 8th-generation Apple iPad (2020) is positioned as a high-value tablet, delivering significant performance boosts through the A12 Bionic chip while maintaining a competitive price point. Key advantages include snappy operation for daily tasks, exceptional longevity due to iPadOS support, and compatibility with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. While it remains a top choice for most users, limitations include an aging design with large bezels, a 32GB base storage option, and the lack of a laminated screen or USB-C connectivity.

The 8th-generation iPad (2020) acts as a high-value entry point, prioritizing a significant performance boost via the A12 Bionic chip over major design changes. Key pros include 40% faster CPU, improved graphics, reliable battery life, and support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. While offering a solid 10.2-inch display, the device maintains an dated design with a 1.2MP front camera, 32GB base storage, and a Lightning port. For more details, visit the review at WhistleOut.

The Apple iPad 10.2in (8th gen, 2020) is rated as a top-tier budget tablet, largely due to its significant performance boost from the A12 Bionic chip. While maintaining the same design as its predecessor, this model delivers 40% faster CPU speeds and doubled graphics performance, suitable for gaming and light video editing. Key advantages include its strong value, starting at £329, alongside compatibility with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. The 10.2-inch Retina display boasts high brightness and good color accuracy, complemented by a faster 20W charger in the box and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Drawbacks include the 32GB starting storage and a non-laminated display that lacks True Tone and causes glare, as noted by Expert Reviews. Additionally, the 1.2MP front camera is considered outdated, and the speakers lack separation in landscape mode. For more details, visit Expert Reviews.

The 2020 8th-generation Apple iPad (10.2-inch) serves as a significant iterative update, primarily featuring the A12 Bionic chip which delivers a roughly 40% performance boost and superior graphics over its predecessor. While offering great value, the device retains a dated, non-laminated display and a 32GB base storage option deemed too small for modern usage. Despite these limitations, it is positioned as an ideal, cost-effective tablet for students and casual users, supporting the first-gen Apple Pencil and offering a 10.2-inch Retina screen with a respectable 500 nits brightness.

The Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) acts as a modest, budget-friendly update featuring the A12 Bionic chip for improved performance and great value at $329/£329. Key pros include all-day battery life, a 20W fast charger included in the box, and continued support for the first-gen Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. However, cons include an aged design with large bezels, a non-laminated screen, insufficient 32GB base storage, and an outdated 1.2MP front camera.

The 2020 8th Generation Apple iPad is lauded by PCMag as a top-tier budget tablet, securing an Editors' Choice award for its exceptional value, significant performance boost from the A12 Bionic chip, and support for the Apple Pencil. While performance is a major pro, the device maintains a dated design with large bezels, a physical home button, and a non-laminated 10.2-inch display, notes the review. Additionally, limitations include a low-resolution 1.2MP front camera, reliance on a Lightning port, and the absence of multi-user support, although it remains a superior, cost-effective option for students and general users.

The Root-Nation review of the 2020 Apple iPad 8 describes it as a "new old acquaintance," balancing a familiar design with a significant 40% CPU boost from the A12 Bionic chip. It maintains a 10.2-inch Retina display with, notably, a 3.5mm headphone jack, though it lacks a laminated display and True Tone technology. The review praises the high-value performance, 12-hour battery life, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil. However, it notes drawbacks including limited 32GB base storage, a low-resolution 1.2MP front camera, and slow charging times.

The Tom's Guide review hails the 8th Gen 2020 iPad as an exceptional value, highlighting a 40% faster A12 Bionic chip and nearly 13 hours of battery life. While praised for its performance, the device retains an outdated design with thick bezels and a physical home button, paired with the inconvenient, 1st-generation Apple Pencil charging method. Ultimately deemed the best budget tablet, it supports the Smart Keyboard and iPadOS 14, though it is constrained by a low-resolution 1.2MP front camera and a non-laminated display.

The 2020 8th Generation iPad, reviewed by The Verge, remains a "remarkable deal" at $329, primarily driven by the upgraded A12 Bionic chip, which offers significant performance gains for gaming, multitasking, and daily use. While maintaining a sturdy design with a bright 10.2-inch screen and solid battery life, the device is held back by dated hardware, specifically 32GB of base storage and a non-laminated display. Furthermore, the portrait-oriented front camera causes issues for Zoom calls, and the reliance on a Lightning port rather than USB-C limits its modern versatility.

The 2020 iPad (8th generation) is a "battle-tested" tablet that prioritizes an upgraded A12 Bionic chip for superior performance over the A10 processor while retaining an older, familiar chassis. Key advantages include its high value, compatibility with the first-gen Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Cons, however, stem from its outdated design, including a non-laminated, lower-quality screen, large bezels, and lack of support for newer, higher-end accessories. Ars Technica Copy

The Reviewed.com assessment calls the Apple iPad (8th Gen, 2020) the "best deal in tablets," driven by the A12 Bionic chip upgrade that provides superior performance and longevity, alongside a crisp 10.2-inch Retina display. However, the device utilizes a dated design featuring thick bezels and a physical home button, with a 32GB base storage option deemed insufficient, while the first-gen Apple Pencil charging method is considered awkward. Despite a poor 1.2MP front camera, the iPad is recommended for its value, offering a 20W USB-C charger and retaining the headphone jack for students and casual users. Copy

The 2020 8th-generation iPad serves as a value-focused update, primarily boosting performance with the A12 Bionic chip, which offers superior speed and graphics over its predecessor for daily tasks and longevity. It retains a classic design, including large bezels and a Touch ID home button, while adding a 20-watt USB-C charger for improved, faster charging. However, the hardware remains dated, featuring a non-laminated 10.2-inch display that feels less premium and suffers from a slight, hollow air gap when using the Apple Pencil. Furthermore, the base 32GB of storage is considered insufficient for modern usage, restricting the tablet’s long-term utility without managing external storage or cloud solutions. Despite being a modest design update, the 8th-gen iPad is a budget-friendly choice ideal for students, families, and general users seeking reliability over high-end features. While it lacks a modern display and boasts a poor, outdated 1.2-megapixel front camera, its price-to-performance ratio ensures it remains a solid, recommended option for the average consumer. Copy

The CNET review of the 2020 8th-gen iPad positions it as the best-value tablet in Apple's lineup, driven by a significant performance boost from the A12 Bionic chip and the inclusion of a 20-watt fast charger. However, the device features an aging design with a 10.2-inch screen that lacks lamination, along with a base model that only offers 32GB of storage. Despite these limitations, including an awkwardly positioned front camera, it remains a reliable, cost-effective choice for students and families, supporting the first-generation Apple Pencil. Copy

The iPad 2020 (8th Gen) features a significant performance upgrade with the A12 Bionic chip, offering a 40% faster CPU and improved graphics for its entry-level price point. Key pros include exceptional speed for tasks like 4K video editing, exceeding 11 hours of battery life, support for the first-gen Apple Pencil, and the inclusion of a 20-watt fast charger. However, the tablet retains a dated design with thick bezels, a non-laminated 10.2-inch screen, low-resolution 1.2-megapixel front camera, and limited base 32GB storage. Ultimately, the 2020 iPad is described as a powerful, budget-friendly option ideal for students and casual users, delivering high-end performance without the high-end cost.

The Apple iPad (2020) eighth-generation tablet offers a modest yet effective upgrade, featuring an identical design to its predecessor, including a 10.2-inch Retina display and Touch ID, but is boosted by an A12 Bionic processor that provides 40% faster CPU speeds. Performance is a major plus, making the device highly capable for apps and multitasking, while the audio-visual experience is praised for its punchy picture quality, detailed sound, and the retention of a 3.5mm headphone jack. What Hi-Fi?However, the 2020 model has notable drawbacks, specifically its outdated design with chunky bezels and a restrictive 32GB base storage, alongside stereo speakers that lack separation in landscape mode. Despite these limitations, the tablet maintains high value through its support for the first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. It is considered a top-tier budget option, particularly for users upgrading from older devices. What Hi-Fi?

The 2020 8th-generation iPad serves as a capable, budget-friendly update, retaining a familiar 10.2-inch design while significantly boosting performance with the A12 Bionic chip. Key pros include 40% faster CPU speeds, double the graphics power, and solid battery life that often exceeds 10 hours, accompanied by a new 20W charger. However, the device inherits older, unexciting hardware, such as a non-laminated screen, a home button with Touch ID, and a meager 32GB base storage, which Engadget notes is limiting. Furthermore, the 1.2-megapixel front camera is insufficient for modern video calling needs, and the display produces a "hollow" sound when tapped. iPadOS 14 enhances usability through features like Scribble, which aids the device's role as a productivity tool despite some lingering multitasking limitations. Engadget

The 8th-generation Apple iPad (2020) is defined by its exceptional value, acting as a powerful entry-level tablet that outclasses its competition in the $300 price bracket. The standout upgrade is the A12 Bionic processor, which provides a massive performance jump—nearly 40% faster than the previous model—making it a reliable tool for remote learning, multitasking, and casual gaming. PCMag UKDespite the internal power boost, the design remains largely unchanged, featuring older, large bezels and a non-laminated 10.2-inch screen lacking anti-reflective coating. Furthermore, the front-facing camera remains a lackluster 1.2-megapixel sensor, which is described as grainy for video calls. The tablet continues to use a Lightning port, and the base storage is limited to 32GB, which may be insufficient for many users. PCMag UKOn the pros side, the iPad is praised for its affordability and access to the vast, high-quality iPadOS app library. It retains useful features like a headphone jack and a physical Home button with Touch ID, making it the best tablet for students and casual users. PCMag UK Copy