Apple's 2018 iPad includes 2GB of RAM, 2.2 GHz A10 processor; performance similar to iPhone 7

A rundown of the specifications for Apple's new "budget" iPad indicates that its performance is roughly comparable to the iPhone 7 line, which uses the same A10 processor — and that it has just 2 gigabytes of RAM, limiting its multitasking versus the iPad Pro.

The tablet can handle iOS 11's Split Screen mode, and Slide Over while keeping the original app in view, but trying to combine the two modes results in the Split Screen windows being dimmed, iMore's Serenity Caldwell noted. The 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros are able to run three apps simultaneously, thanks to having double the RAM.

The amount of memory was discovered through Geekbench Geekbench 4 benchmarks run in the process of testing. In terms of overall performance, the 2018 iPad managed a 3,254 single-core score, actually slightly below the iPhone 7. It reached 5,857 in multi-core however, making it faster than the iPhone 7 Plus — even though that device has 3 gigabytes of RAM.

In most respects the new iPad is identical to its predecessor, with a 9.7-inch, 2048-by-1536-pixel LCD display, an 8-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera, and a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera. Unlike Pro models, there is no rear flash, though there is "Retina Flash" — temporary brightening of the screen — when shooting from the front.

The new iPad also lacks True Tone ambient color temperature matching, and ProMotion, Apple's term for the iPad Pro's 120-hertz refresh rate. Storage options are limited to 32 or 128 gigabytes, versus the 64-, 256-, and 512-gigabyte options for Pros.

Apple launched its latest tablet at an education-themed event in Chicago. It's already on sale with orders arriving as soon as April 2, starting at $329 for the public and $299 for schools.

19 Comments

supadav03 10 Years · 503 comments

About 6 years ago

Honestly, the most exciting thing about this new iPad, is that that it drives the price down on the 5th gen. I’ve seen 5th gen iPads for as low as $230 brand new online already. At that price, no excuse to buy any other tablet besides an iPad. Might upgrade all my kids Airs because after trade-in/sale, is likely only pay a $150 for an amazing tablet that can survivor future updates for some time.

indiekiduk 16 Years · 386 comments

Buy quick before they are hard to find like the 2015 MBPs with keyboards and ports.

maciekskontakt 15 Years · 1168 comments

It also supports that overpriced rechargible pen from Apple. However you can buy non-rechargible pens on Amazon for $10 that work with any iPad or even iPhone with any application. i use one with iPad mini. Why would I spend $99 on something that needs maintenance and is no better than basic stuff

Mike Wuerthele 8 Years · 6906 comments

maciekskontakt said:

It also supports that overpriced rechargible pen from Apple. However you can buy non-rechargible pens on Amazon for $10 that work with any iPad or even iPhone with any application. i use one with iPad mini. Why would I spend $99 on something that needs maintenance and is no better than basic stuff

The Apple pencil is grossly different than the rubber-tipped styli on Amazon.

Soli 9 Years · 9981 comments

maciekskontakt said:

It also supports that overpriced rechargible pen from Apple. However you can buy non-rechargible pens on Amazon for $10 that work with any iPad or even iPhone with any application. i use one with iPad mini. Why would I spend $99 on something that needs maintenance and is no better than basic stuff

Not the same technology! And, they announced a $49 stylus that works with the iPad digitizer yesterday, if you want something less expensive but also want something better than dumb, capacitance tool.