iPad (2020)

The eighth-generation iPad (officially the iPad 10.2-inch, marketed as just iPad) is a tablet computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. as the successor to the 7th-generation iPad. It features the same 10.2-inch Retina display as its predecessor, with the SoC upgraded to the Apple A12 Bionic processor, making it 40% faster according to Apple.[1] It was announced in September 15, 2020 at Apple's event and was released on September 18, 2020.[1]

iPad

iPad 8th Generation in Space Gray
Also known as	iPad (8th generation), iPad 10.2-inch
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Product family	iPad
Type	Tablet computer
Generation	8th
Release date	September 18, 2020
Operating system	Original: iPadOS 14 Current: iPadOS 14.3, released December 14, 2020
System on a chip	Apple A12 Bionic with 64-bit architecture and Apple M12 motion co-processor
CPU	Hexa-core 64-bit
Memory	3 GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
Storage	32 or 128 GB
Display	10.2 inches (260 mm) 2,160 × 1,620 px (264 ppi) with a 4:3 aspect ratio
Sound	Stereo
Input	Multi-touch screen, headset controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, digital compass, dual microphone, Touch ID fingerprint reader, barometer
Camera	Front: 1.2 MP, 720p HD, ƒ/2.4 aperture Rear: 8.0 MP AF, iSight with Five Element Lens, Hybrid IR filter, video stabilization, face detection, HDR, ƒ/2.4 aperture
Power	32.4 W·h, up to 10 hours of battery life.
Online services	App Store, iTunes Store, iBookstore, iCloud, Game Center
Dimensions	250.6 mm (9.87 in) H 174.1 mm (6.85 in) W 7.5 mm (0.30 in) D
Mass	Wi-Fi: 490 g (1.08 lb) Wi-Fi + Cellular: 495 g (1.091 lb)
Predecessor	iPad (2019)
Related articles	iPad Air (2019) iPad mini 5
Website	https://www.apple.com/ipad-10.2/

It has support for the first generation Apple Pencil and has a Smart Connector for a keyboard attachment.

Reception

Miles Somerville of 9to5Mac found the tablet to be a good value proposition at its price point.[2][3] He described it as having a nearly identical appearance to its predecessor, but with improved battery life, enhanced performance owing to the upgrade from the A10 Fusion to the A12 Bionic, and better screen sensitivity for Apple Pencil use, while continuing the poor implementation of Pencil charging on a perpendicular direction from the tablet's Lightning port.[2][3] He found it sufficient for basic activities, gaming, everyday content consumption, and general multitasking, although not measuring up to the 2020 iPad Pro or the simultaneously released fourth generation iPad Air, in part due to its display that supports only a 60 Hz refresh rate instead of 120 Hz.[2][3] He especially faulted Apple's choice of keeping a 1.2-megapixel camera on the front of the tablet, which could be a strong negative factor for an intended audience of students, who might plan to use the device for teleconference classes over platforms such as Zoom.[2][3]

Scott Stein of CNET rated the tablet 8.1 out of 10.[4] Stein commended it for its faster processing that handled iPadOS better than previous models, better support for Apple Pencil and keyboard cases, and a faster charger included in the box.[4] He faulted it for the large bezels that lead to a cramped feel of its screen during multitasking with two apps open, lack of support for the second generation Apple Pencil and newer Magic Keyboard cases, the outdated 720p camera that does not function well in landscape mode teleconferencing because of placement, the display limited to a 60 Hz refresh rate and lacking True Tone color temperature auto-adjustment, and the insufficient 32 gigabytes of storage for the entry-level model.[4]

David Price of Macworld UK echoed many of the other critiques while noting that this model of iPad would find an audience among average consumers who had not upgraded their iPads in years.[5] He described the continuing design as "comfortably big enough" for typical content, with thoughtful touches, but a dated look because of the large bezels, and welcomed the ongoing inclusion of a headphone jack and rear-facing camera that sits flush with the tablet body.[5] He noted that the lack of screen lamination and consequent flex of the screen during touches could be noticeable to users of higher-end tablets, that the lack of flash on either rear or front camera would hinder low-light teleconferencing and FaceTime Video use, and that the included amount of RAM was low compared to other tablets.[5]

Timeline

Source: Apple Newsroom Archive.[6]

References

1. "What did Apple Reveal during their September 2020 Keynote? We summarised". www.techlunar.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
2. Somerville, Miles (October 1, 2020). "iPad 8 (2020) Unboxing + Review: The best value iPad [Video]". 9to5Mac. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
3. Somerville, Miles (October 1, 2020). iPad 8 (2020) Unboxing + Review: the best value iPad! (YouTube). 9to5Mac. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
4. Stein, Scott (September 30, 2020). "Apple iPad (8th-gen, 2020) review: Still the one you should buy". Cnet. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
5. Price, David (September 30, 2020). "iPad 10.2in (2020) review". Macworld UK. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
6. Apple Inc. (2010–2011). iPad News - Newsroom Archive. Retrieved June 7, 2018.