Apple had a busy few weeks with not one but two events, launching plenty of new products, including the new 8th Generation iPad, one its most affordable devices with a modest but powerful change to the specifications from last years model.
The full list of devices announced:
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPad 8th Gen 2020
- iPad Air 2020
- Watch Series 6
- Watch Series SE
Apple iPad 8th Gen (2020)
The entry-level iPad, now in its 8th iteration, remains one of the best value devices, not just in the Apple portfolio, but in the general tech market.
Yes, it still has that large bezel and Home button, but that’s a small sacrifice for the power to price ratio!
Out has gone the older A10 chip and in comes the new A12 Bionic chip which brings with it the Neural Engine. This, Apple claims, will deliver “next-level machine learning capabilities and motion tracking in augmented reality (AR) apps”.
Apple iPad 8th Gen Overview
I like to think of the iPad as everything most users need from a tablet, without the price tag. Apple has kept the basic WiFi-only 32GB model down to $329/£329, and while that storage space is pathetic for 2020 and beyond, it’s still a great tablet.
Just remember before purchasing, this model still has a Lightning port, not USB-C, only supports the 1st Gen Apple Pencil and doesn’t work with the new Magic Keyboard.
Accessories are Everything
Apple has long marketed the iPad as a replacement for our notebooks and with the 2020 iPad now twice as fast as the top-selling Windows PC, it will be the accessories that help you extract that power out.
Apple has kept the specifications down on the 8th Gen iPad model which means only the Smart Keyboard cover is supported (and similar 3rd party alternatives).
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With the introduction of Scribble and iPadOS 14 enhancing the writing and drawing experience on iPad the good news is Apple Pencil functionality remains.
Don’t forget Apple recently added Mouse support to newer iPad models, so now that tablet has a Keyboard, Mouse and Pencil.
Unless you’re a laptop power user or live by Excel, iPad really has become a viable alternative!
Same Outside, Different Inside
The screen is the same 10.2″ LED-backlit Retina display from the previous model and the overall dimensions are the same. Although, the new 8th Gen model weighs in at just a couple of grams more.
There are three colour options to choose from; Space Grey, Silver or Gold and either WiFi only or WiFi+ Cell models.
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Unlike the new iPhones, iPad, for now, still ships with a charger. Apple has kept the 8th Gen on the Lightning connector and requires a 20W adapter. Performance is expected to be around 10 hours on a full charge when on WiFi.
The front and rear cameras are identical to the previous iPad model from last year.
With very little hardware upgrades in this new model like moving to Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C or support for newer Apple accessories, this version is all about the combination of the new A12 Bionic chip and iPadOS 14.
Featuring the A12 Bionic with Neural Engine, the most popular iPad model delivers an even more powerful experience.
Apple
Apple iPad 8th Gen v iPad Air 4th Gen Specifications
| iPad 8th Gen | iPad Air 4th Gen | |
| Dimensions (mm) | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 |
| Weight (g) Wifi WiFi + Cell | 490 495 | 458 460 |
| Colours | Silver Space Grey Gold | Silver Space Grey Rose Gold Green Sky Blue |
| Storage (gb) | 32 128 | 64 256 |
| Display | 10.2″ Retina | 10.9″ Liquid Retina |
| Main Cam | 8MP 1080p HD Video | 12MP 4k Video |
| Chip | A12 | A14 |
| Apple Pencil (sold separately) | 1st Gen | 2nd Gen |
| Keyboard (sold separately) | Smart Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Magic Keyboard |
| FaceTime HD Cam | 1.2MP | 7MP |
| Speakers | 2 | 2 |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5 |
| Battery | Up to 10 Hours | Up to 10 Hours |
| Charging Type | Lightning | USB-C |
| Prices (from) | $329 £329 | $599 £579 |
