Apple iPad 4 WiFi (1GB + 64GB) Review | 168 Data compared

The Pocket-lint review of the 3rd generation Apple iPad highlights the 9.7-inch Retina display as the defining feature, offering a 2048 x 1536 resolution, 264ppi, and increased color saturation for superior visuals. Performance is driven by the A5X processor with quad-core graphics, supporting high-end gaming and maintaining a 10-hour battery life. While offering a stellar screen and solid performance, the device is slightly thicker and heavier, and its 5-megapixel camera underperforms in low light.

The Ars Technica review of the fourth-generation iPad highlights a device defined by internal power rather than external innovation, featuring the A6X processor which roughly doubles the speed of its predecessor, the iPad 3. Key upgrades include a significantly improved FaceTime HD camera and the transition to the Lightning connector, which modernized port and accessory compatibility. Despite the raw performance, the device shares the same chassis as the iPad 3, maintaining a heavier and thicker design than the iPad 2, and continues to run warm during intensive tasks. Additionally, while the Retina display is a standout feature, it contributes to long charging times for the massive battery. Ultimately deemed a "turbo-boosted" iteration, the iPad 4 is recommended for new users, particularly due to expanded LTE support, but not as a necessary upgrade for current third-generation owners. It represents an incremental update focused on performance rather than a redesign.

The Apple iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi earns an Editors' Choice award from PCMag UK for its exceptional A6X processor performance, offering twice the speed of its predecessor and a stellar 9.7-inch Retina display. Key updates include the new Lightning connector, a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, and faster dual-band Wi-Fi, while retaining the familiar 1.44-lb design. While praised for top-tier gaming capabilities and display quality, the device suffers from limited battery life—lasting only 5.5 hours in video tests—and long, six-hour charging times.

Macworld's review highlights the fourth-generation iPad as a superior, future-proofed tablet, driven by the A6X processor which delivers significantly faster CPU and graphics performance over its predecessor. Key advantages include a stunning Retina display, the introduction of the Lightning connector, and improved 4G LTE support. However, it is considered a minor upgrade that retains the exact design, weight, and long charging times of the previous model, alongside requiring new adapters.

The iPad 4 features significant performance upgrades with the A6X chip, doubling CPU and graphics capabilities while retaining the high-resolution 9.7-inch Retina display. Key improvements include the switch to the Lightning connector, enhanced 4G LTE support, and a better front-facing camera. However, the tablet retains the same heavy and bulky design as its predecessor, making it less portable than newer alternatives. While battery life is generally strong, heavy use can reduce it to around 7 hours. A significant disadvantage is the lack of expandable storage via a memory card slot. Screen reflections can also hamper usability in bright, direct sunlight. For existing iPad 3 owners, this is seen as an iterative update, but it is considered a solid choice for those with older models. The device is praised for its speed and display, though it faces competition from lighter, more modern options.

The iPad 4 is labeled as a significant upgrade over its predecessor, boasting the A6X processor for superior performance, alongside a high-quality Retina display. While maintaining the same design, it offers a vastly faster experience, surpassing competitors like the Surface RT and Nexus 7. The transition to the 8-pin Lightning connector is noted as a drawback, rendering older peripherals obsolete and causing inconvenience with the new, less flexible standard. Further cons include inconsistent 4G LTE coverage at launch in the UK, making the Wi-Fi model a better choice for some users. Despite these issues, the iPad 4 boasts solid battery life and a decent camera, making it a powerful contender for its time. The review recommends it for those skipping the iPad 3, while noting the performance gains might not justify an immediate update for current iPad 3 users.

The Apple iPad 4 is a powerful refinement of its predecessor, featuring an A6X processor that delivers a notable increase in operating speed, making it highly capable for both high-end gaming and content creation. Key advantages include the stunning 2048 x 1536 Retina display, balanced and detailed audio performance, and the introduction of the Lightning connector. However, cons include the lack of microSD storage expansion, a heavier design that is slower to charge, and a 4:3 screen ratio that creates black bars for widescreen content. Furthermore, the review suggests that for owners of the third-generation iPad, the upgrade may not offer enough new features to justify the switch. What Hi-Fi?

T3 describes the iPad 4 as a powerful, incremental update featuring a sharp Retina display and a fast A6X chip, making it the best full-sized tablet of its time. Key pros include the significant performance leap, improved 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera, and the durable Lightning connector. Conversely, cons focus on the unchanged, heavy design, battery life that lags behind the original iPad, and the need for expensive adapters for older accessories. Ultimately, T3 considers it a worthy upgrade for owners of older iPads, though they suggest the iPad mini might be a better choice for portability.

The TechRadar review of the fourth-generation iPad (2012) highlights an incremental yet powerful update, featuring a stunning Retina Display and the fast A6X processor that eliminates previous lag. Pros include improved performance, the new Lightning connector, and excellent battery life, though the device is criticised for its "unmistakable heft" compared to earlier models. Significant drawbacks, or cons, involve the lack of expandable storage, the ageing iOS 6 interface, and a mediocre camera, making it a powerful but heavy choice for users.

The Telegraph's review of the 4th generation iPad highlights the surprise announcement and significant internal upgrades, most notably the A6X processor which offers faster performance and improved graphics. The Retina display remains a key pro, alongside improved Wi-Fi capabilities and the introduction of the Lightning connector. Key pros center on performance improvements, with the A6X enabling faster app loading times and superior performance for demanding tasks. Additional improvements include enhanced 4G LTE compatibility for UK networks and a better, faster, and clearer FaceTime HD camera, powered by the new processor. On the downside, the review notes the device lacks any design refinement, retaining the exact same form factor, weight, and "weighty" feel of its predecessor, particularly when compared to the smaller iPad mini. While the performance is significantly better, the battery life remained steady rather than seeing an increase, according to the analysis.

Macworld's review highlights the fourth-generation iPad as an "impressive beast" featuring significant internal upgrades, most notably the A6X processor which delivers nearly double the performance of its predecessor. While offering substantial improvements in gaming and video editing, the device retains the exact same physical design as the third-generation iPad, including its weight and thickness. Key pros include the lightning-fast performance, improved 720p front-facing camera, and faster cellular networking capabilities, though the shift to the Lightning connector requires adapters for older accessories. Despite the technical advancements, the review ultimately positions the device as an incremental upgrade for existing third-generation users, questioning the necessity of a quick replacement unless the new connector standard is immediately required.

The iPad 4 introduced the A6X processor, doubling processing and graphics power, alongside a high-quality 9.7-inch Retina Display. Key improvements included a 1.2MP front camera and the shift to the Lightning connector, while maintaining a reliable 10-hour battery life. Despite these enhancements, the device was heavier than its predecessor, causing arm strain, and the new connector required pricey adapters, with the extra power often underutilized. For a detailed look at the 4th generation iPad, visit the IT Pro review.

The iPad 4th Generation features the A6X chip, doubling performance over its predecessor for tasks like photo editing and gaming, while introducing a Lightning connector and dual-band Wi-Fi. It retains the 9.7-inch Retina display and 10-hour battery life, upgrading the front camera to 1.2 MP for clearer FaceTime. While praised for speed and display quality, the review notes the design is identical to the iPad 3 and may not offer enough incentive for recent buyers to upgrade. For more details, visit New Atlas.

The Laptop Mag review of the 4th-generation Apple iPad identifies it as a performance-driven update, retaining the 9.7-inch Retina Display and chassis of its predecessor while introducing the A6X chip, which doubles computing and graphics speeds. Key improvements include faster Wi-Fi, a 1.2-MP FaceTime HD camera, and the switch to a Lightning connector. While praised for its speed, pros include improved video conferencing and future-proof performance. However, cons include the device being heavier and thicker than the iPad 2, along with a very long battery charge time and potential overheating during intense use. The review concludes that while it is the fastest large tablet at the time of release, the incremental upgrades might not justify an upgrade for iPad 3 owners. For more details, visit Laptop Mag.

The fourth-generation iPad (iPad 4) retains the high-quality aluminum unibody design of its predecessor while receiving a significant performance boost via the Apple A6X chip, which delivers roughly double the processing and graphics speed. A major strength of the device is its brilliant 9.7-inch Retina display (2048x1536) with high brightness and excellent viewing angles, complemented by the durable, reversible Lightning connector. However, the tablet faces drawbacks, including reduced battery life under heavy load, significant weight (652g), and a single speaker that can be easily muffled. Copy

The Trusted Reviews review of the 2012 iPad 4 highlights it as a powerful, incremental upgrade, featuring the A6X processor which doubled CPU and GPU performance over its predecessor. Key strengths include the 9.7-inch Retina display, improved battery life, and the introduction of the Lightning connector and 720p FaceTime HD camera. However, the device was criticized for retaining the same design as the iPad 3, making it heavier than competitors, and for requiring a 30-pin adapter for older accessories.

In a 2012 review for The Verge, David Pierce describes the 4th-generation iPad as a refined, iterative update featuring the A6X processor, which significantly boosts performance over its predecessor. The device is lauded for its superior Retina display, improved FaceTime HD camera, and efficient battery life that lasted over nine hours in testing. While lauded for its power, the tablet is criticized for its heavy, bulky design and for forcing a costly transition to the Lightning connector, making it a limited upgrade for existing 3rd-generation owners.

The CNET review of the 4th-generation Apple iPad highlights it as a performance-driven update featuring a significantly faster A6X processor, a new Lightning connector, and an improved 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera. Key strengths include the high-resolution Retina display, superior battery life lasting over 13 hours, and the extensive iOS app ecosystem. While offering industry-leading speed, the tablet shares the same heavy design as its predecessor and necessitates adapters for older 30-pin accessories, offering limited incentive for 3rd-generation owners to upgrade.

The late 2012 iPad 4 review highlights the upgrade to the A6X processor, which delivers superior graphics and system performance over the iPad 3 while retaining the same, relatively heavy chassis design. Key features include the sharp Retina display and the introduction of the reversible Lightning connector, which improves usability but renders older 30-pin accessories obsolete. Ultimately, the review identifies the iPad 4 as a high-performance, iterative update with a great screen, yet advises that its lack of a new design makes it a minimal upgrade for existing iPad 3 owners. For more details, visit the review at The Register. Copy

PCMag UK rated the fourth-generation iPad a five-star, Editors' Choice device, highlighting significant performance upgrades via the A6X processor and improved 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera. The tablet retained the 9.7-inch Retina display (2,048-by-1,536-pixel resolution) and 652-gram weight of its predecessor, while shifting to the faster Lightning connector for improved accessory integration. Key advantages identified include a superior app ecosystem, enhanced Wi-Fi speeds, and significantly doubled CPU/graphics performance over the third-gen model. Conversely, primary drawbacks included a slow six-hour full-charge time, limited battery life under high brightness, and the need for adapters for existing 30-pin accessories. Overall, the 4th Generation iPad was deemed the leading large tablet for its time, providing a future-proof, albeit heavy, computing experience. For the full, detailed review, visit PCMag UK.