It was the first surprise of the Apple event: the iPad (2021) in its standard variant, the most affordable, is renewed and does so with two major changes: the first, its new processor, the Apple A13 Bionic.
The second, its new 12 Mpixel front camera, which comes with a clear focus no longer on selfies, but on videoconferencing: the Center Stage feature of the iPad Pro now comes to these iPads, which also start with 64 GB of capacity.
Apple iPad (2021) Datasheet
| Apple iPad (2021) | |
|---|---|
| Screen | IPS 10.2 inch Retina 2.160 x 1.620 px, 264 PPP, 500 nits |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic |
| RAM | – |
| Storage | 64 / 256 GB |
| Rear Camera | 8 MP f / 2.4 |
| Front Camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | – 20W USB-C adapter |
| Operating System | iPad 15 |
| Connectivity | – |
| Dimensions and Weight | – |
| Others | TouchID, USB-C port, stereo speakers, eSIM |
| Price | WiFi: 64 GB – $329 LTE: 64 GB – $459 |
Video conferencing at the forefront
The new “basic” iPad is certainly more than an interesting candidate for even the most demanding users: the Apple A13 Bionic chip that governs it is 20% more powerful than the A12 of the previous model, and this will be noticeable in all kinds of situations.
For example, in the photography and videoconferencing section, which has undoubtedly been one of the focuses of the new model: the rear camera does not change, but the front camera does, which now has a 12 Mpixel sensor with autofocus and better performance in low light.
The ISP integrated into the A13 SoC is, according to Apple, responsible for the improved performance of both the rear and front cameras, but Apple wanted to focus especially on the latter, and not only for selfies.
In fact, that section paled before what proved to be the real highlight of the use of that camera: video conferencing. Apple indicated how this new iPad is now compatible with Center Stage (“Centered Framing”), the feature of the iPad Pro that adjusts the framing in video conferences as we move so that we do not “get out” of the right frame and our interlocutor always sees us on screen.
There are of course other improvements in the hardware of this new device: the screen benefits from True Tone technology, and in the new iPad users also benefit from accessories such as external keyboards or the Apple Pencil 2 with which it is also compatible.
Governing these new iPads will be iPadOS 15, the new version of the operating system for Apple tablets. Thanks to that version we will be able to enjoy new features such as widgets, new multitasking functions, or the Quick Note feature, among others.
There are other unique changes: the Lightning port disappears from the iPad, which adopts the USB-C port for charging. The power adapter comes to supply 20 W.
Pricing and Availability of the iPad (2021)
The new iPad (2021) is now available for pre-order and will be in stores and in the hands of buyers as of September 24.
The prices of the new iPads are as follows:
- iPad (Wi-Fi, 64 GB): $329
- iPad (Cellular, 64 GB): $459
It is particularly striking that users will have twice as much storage as the previous starting models. Thus, we go from base models with 32 GB of capacity to models that feature 64 GB, a change that will surely be very welcome.
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