What's good
- Fast performance
- Battery life
- Good display quality
- Supports Apple accessories
What's bad
- Not enough storage at base level
- Does not support USB-C
- Outdated design
The price tag on the Apple iPad 10.2 is a beautiful thing but does it uphold the same standards as the rest of the iPad line? More importantly, is the lower price worth the somewhat dated design?
Design
The design of the Apple iPad 10.2 is the same as the 7th Generation Apple iPad 10.2. Thick bezels and the same Retina display make it far less streamlined than the rest of the lineup. They even come in the same colors. However, while the design is nothing new, reviewers gave it high marks for build quality, durability, and how comfortable the tablet was to hold for extended periods.
Display
Speaking of more of the same, the 10.2-inch display is of less quality than the iPad Air (2020). It also has a gap between the screen and the glass that is visible from certain angles just like the previous iPad 10.2 display. The picture doesn’t seem to suffer too much though and reviewers said that the bezels were more upsetting than the quality of the display.
Performance
Speed and capability are the areas where this iPad shines. It’s fast and capable of running demanding apps and games without stuttering or jitter.
Tom’s Guide says, “While Windows laptops under [the price of the iPad 10.2] can struggle with basic tasks because of their Celeron processors, the new iPad 2020 is silky smooth.”
Software & Storage
In conjunction with its snappy new processor, the Apple iPad 10.2 also runs iPadOS 14. Reviewers found this newest version of the software aids in making the tablet even more enjoyable.
Storage, however, is a different matter. The bottom end of the Apple iPad 10.2 versions offers only 32GB of onboard storage space. To get to the more recommended 128GB, you need to go up to a higher variant which will cost you.
Cameras
The Apple iPad 10.2 has the same camera equipped as the 7th-gen iPad, but don’t let that fool you. The new processor comes with the ability to improve imaging and with that comes a surprising boost in image quality.
Battery Life
Across the board, battery life impressed reviewers the most. The tablet boasts the usual 10-hour promise from Apple. But, depending on what you use it for, it can go far beyond that. In some cases, reviewers said that they used the device for almost an entire week doing light activities like email, web surfing, and watching video.
Audio
The speaker on the Apple iPad 10.2 leaves a lot to be desired. That’s simply a limitation of smaller tablet speakers. Stick to Bluetooth headphones when audio quality is important.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum chassis
- 10.2-inch LCD retina display
- A12 Bionic chip processor
- 3GB of RAM
- iPadOS 14
- 32/128GB of storage
- 8MP front-facing lens, 1.5 selfie camera
- 32.4WHr battery
Bottom Line
If you’re interested in jumping on the iPad train but don’t have a lot of money to spare this tablet is one to consider. While a lot of the features and designs are carried over from the 7th-gen model, it still has the new processor to add a bit of pep and the newest software available. If you’re already accustomed to the iPad and are drawn in by the price you might want to evaluate what you already have first.
Pocket-Lint states, "It lacks some of the speed and design points of the higher-end models, but that's why this is the perfect iPad option for many – as there's still no better entry-level tablet around."
Wired-UK says, "Let’s be honest, Apple’s entry-level 2020 iPad is a bit of a lazy upgrade, with the only change of note being the new A12 Bionic processor. However, this in no way means that the 8th-gen iPad is bad. Far from it."
The Verge comments, "The new 2020 edition of the iPad, now in its eighth generation, continues to be an iPad. It is very good at iPad things: watching movies, reading, browsing the web, editing photos, and so on. Starting at [a low price] for a 32GB version, it is a remarkable deal."
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Andrew Cunningham, Nick Guy, The WirecutterWith a large screen, a fast-enough processor, and Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, the 8th-gen iPad offers the features most tablet users need.
- Mark Spoonauer, Tom's GuideThe iPad 8th generation should really be called the iPad SE. Just like the iPhone SE and Apple Watch SE, the goal with this iPad is simple: give users all of the key features they need at an attractive price. And based on my iPad 8th generation impressions, I'd say Apple delivers on that promise. Th...
- Luke Filipowicz, iMoreIf you've never had an iPad before, are upgrading from a much older model, or don't want to spend a lot of money on your iPad experience, the iPad (2020) is the iPad you should be buying.
- Matthew Bolton, T3The iPad 10.2-inch (2020) is our favourite cheap tablet because it matches excellent software and apps with great build quality. There are areas for improvement, but it's just a no-nonsense top tablet.
- Lisa Eadicicco, Business InsiderThe $329 iPad may seem basic compared to the other tablets in Apple's lineup. But, it remains the best choice for Apple fans that want an affordable way to indulge in smartphone-like activities, such as reading and watching Netflix, on a larger and more suitable screen. It has a fairly recent Apple...
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