iPad 3 vs iPad 4 – What’s The Difference?

Every tablet manufacturer want their tablet to be better, and more popular than Apple’s iPad. And many have tried in the past. This time around, Microsoft decided to take on the challenge. But just when we thought it had gotten away with its twin launch of Surface along with Windows 8, Apple makes a double announcement too, the iPad Mini, and the new fourth Generation iPad, breaking its usual tradition of launching iPads in the March-April season. Here is a comparison of the previously popular iPad 3, and the new iPad 4 with Retina Display.

Interestingly, Apple hasn’t called the fourth-generation iPad ‘iPad 4’. Rather, it’s known as ‘iPad with Retina Display’. So it’s probably not a major change in the iPad, especially since it was released too early, giving the iPad 3 little shelf-time. And it’s also supposed to replace the iPad 3. So what has the new iPad 4 brought with it?

Display and size

When it comes to the display and size, there’s not much difference between both the iPads. Both have a resolution of 2048 x 1536, and a screen size of 9.7 inch, making a pixel density of 264 ppi. So Apple’s new name “iPad with Retina Display” is a little confusing, because the iPad 3 was already Retina Display, the same display on the new iPad.

The size and the weight are the same as well. Both measure 241.2 x 185.1 x 9.4 mm. And both weigh 650-652 grams. So no difference in size, dimensions, or the display.

Processor and memory

Both iPads come with the same 16/32/64 GB storage options. And both have 1 GB of RAM. The processor is where the iPad 4 shines though. The old iPad 3 had a 1 GHz A5X chip, with a quad-core GPU for graphics. But now, the iPad 4 has a 1.3 GHz A6X chip, which will provide almost twice the performance the previous iPad gave.

Camera

The ipad 4 has the same 5-megapixel back camera as its predecessor. But the front-facing camera has been upgraded from a VGA to a 1.3 MP HD camera.

OS

Apple iPad 4 comes with iOS by default. And although iPad was launched with iOS 5.1, it is upgradable to iOS 6.0.

Connectivity

Connectivity is one of the major changes with the new iPad. iPad 4 comes with 4G LTE enabled. And unlike its predecessor, it can be used in Britain as well. The other change is the much better designed 8 pin 3.5 mm Lightening connector, instead of the older 30 pin connector on the iPad 3.

Battery

Even though the new iPad has a faster, much better CPU, it still lasts almost 10 hours, just like iPad 3, making the battery life more than acceptable.

Price

Here’s the best part. The iPad 4’s price is the same as iPad 3’s! It starts at $499 (16 GB). For 32 GB, you have to pay $ 599, and for 64 GB, you pay $699. Also add an additional cost of $130 if you want cellular connectivity.

So in summary, the iPad 4 is almost the same as iPad 3, with a better processor, better connectivity, and an upgraded front-facing camera. Tell us what you think about it in the comments section below. Peace 🙂