iPad 2 vs iPad 3...Screen Difference is Difficult to See...Read On

[617aircav]

I have never considered the iPad to have a "beautiful display" and I wouldn't consider it to be an exaggeration at all.

I took some comparison photos to post here, and most of them ended up like this:

I had to play with the camera settings and defocus the lens a bit so that it wouldn't show up on the iPad 2 screen:

The difference is significant, and much more obvious in person.

Yep I always thought thenipad 2 screen was not good,enough, and that's why I returned mine.

 

[myrtlebee]

I don't understand why it's so hard to grasp. When the iPad 2 came out, it had the best screen. It was beautiful. It still is compared to a lot of tablet screens. When the iPad 2 came out, we didn't have the iPad 3 screen to compare it to or rather any screen as good as the iPad 2. But now we do have something that is a lot better than the iPad 2 screen. So in all obviousness in comparison to iPad 3, the iPad 2's screen is at a loss.

It will happen to the iPad 3 when something with a better screen comes up. That's just how technology is. If it wasn't for advancements that are better than previous generation things, then what's the point? It'll always be like this.

In no way does this mean that the iPad 2 is crap and worthless or that one should not buy it. But in comparison to iPad 3, which is the topic of this thread, the iPad 3 screen is much better than the iPad 2 screen.

And then next year we'll all come back and fight about why the latest gen iPad screen is better than the current gen. Just how it works.

Of course it is better- I have simply been railing against people claiming that iPad 2 has an absolute **** screen or that it is like looking through a screen window. I was also remarking on the irony of technology and what a difference a year makes in people's perception. Bottom line is- iPad 3 has the superior screen in most ways (I would argue not in brightness or contrast, though, going by the two examples in my household), but iPad 2 does not have a trashy screen. It is up to the user to decide which he finds acceptable and there is absolutely no way for one to figure that out without seeing both models in person.

 

[pdqgp]

Just curious. I have the iPad 1 and 3 (never owned the 2). There's a huge difference between the 1 and 3 in screen resolution. Now I always thought the 1 and 2 had the same displays, so this thread puzzles me.

I have one of each and I will say it's noticable. I'm 42 and while I don't need readers yet, I do feel it's a lot easier to read message boards and small text. It's far crisper/sharp and clear.

I wouldn't say the screen is the reason to upgrade if you have an original iPad 1 but it's certainly a nice bump in quality. Like the iPhone though, once you have it you won't go WOW everyday but if you pull out the old version and line them up you'll thank yourself for having the new screen.

 

[scaredpoet]

Of course it is better- I have simply been railing against people claiming that iPad 2 has an absolute **** screen or that it is like looking through a screen window.

Sorry to break it to you, but when comparing the iPad 2 screen to the 3, it does have a **** screen, and it is exactly like looking through a window screen. Standing alone, the iPad has a fine screen, and is serviceable for what it needs to do. If there were no iPad 3, then the iPad 2 would be the thing to get. But if I put my old 2 and my new iPad side-by-side, and I had to choose which one I'd rather look at, the new one will always win out, every time.

But if the screen on the 2 is acceptable to you, then it's your money and your choice. So you saved $200 and claim to not be able to tell the difference between a non retina and retina display. Good for you! Enjoy your iPad.

At the same time, those who do spend the money on the screen feel that it's important to them. That's their money, their choice. I spent the extra money, and to me it's worth it. I'm enjoying my iPad 3 in a way I was not enjoying my iPad 2. Considering that my iPad gets heavy use, every day, even to write this post, means to to me, that was money well spent.

I am railing against people who say it's stupid to pay extra cash for a high res screen, and that there's no difference between the two. The former is subjective and based on opinion, and if I can see the difference even with my heavy astigmatism, then I submit you'd have to be legally blind to assert the latter.

 

[myrtlebee]

Sorry to break it to you, but when comparing the iPad 2 screen to the 3, it does have a **** screen, and it is exactly like looking through a window screen. Standing alone, the iPad has a fine screen, and is serviceable for what it needs to do. If there were no iPad 3, then the iPad 2 would be the thing to get. But if I put my old 2 and my new iPad side-by-side, and I had to choose which one I'd rather look at, the new one will always win out, every time.

But if the screen on the 2 is acceptable to you, then it's your money and your choice. So you saved $200 and claim to not be able to tell the difference between a non retina and retina display. Good for you! Enjoy your iPad.

At the same time, those who do spend the money on the screen feel that it's important to them. That's their money, their choice. I spent the extra money, and to me it's worth it. I'm enjoying my iPad 3 in a way I was not enjoying my iPad 2. Considering that my iPad gets heavy use, every day, even to write this post, means to to me, that was money well spent.

I am railing against people who say it's stupid to pay extra cash for a high res screen, and that there's no difference between the two. The former is subjective and based on opinion, and if I can see the difference even with my heavy astigmatism, then I submit you'd have to be legally blind to assert the latter.

Ha. Okay. The screen on the 2 is beyond acceptable to me. I never said you can't tell the difference between the two. Perhaps you need to re-read. I do like saving $200, absolutely, and the retina display is not worth the extra cash to me. I know, I know, you have tons of money, you have both iPads (don't know why if you claim the iPad 2's screen is total ****). And I know people have a choice which to buy. I never said it was stupid to pay the extra cash, just that I saw no need to for myself, and as I said, the iPad 3 does have a superior screen in most ways..... I am wondering whose posts you are really reading because it's not mine!

(By the way- my iPad 2 gets heavy use every day as well, probably more than yours since I got rid of my MacBook Pro and this is my only mobile computing device and, for me it is beyond capable for the job)

 

[BluePhoenixRa]

And I know people have a choice which to buy. I never said it was stupid to pay the extra cash, just that I saw no need to for myself, and as I said, the iPad 3 does have a superior screen in most ways..... I am wondering whose posts you are really reading because it's not mine!

I agree with you there. His post could apply more towards -TYLER than to you.
Cause he's the one saying there's no difference in the two screens, even though he has perfect vision, apparently.

 

[miamialley]

I need some help…

I have an iPad MD368C which is a black iPad 3 + 64 GB + 4G / LTE…I Googled the model number and it matches what I bought / ordered (feel free to Google it yourself)…

I was at work today and a colleague of mine who had his iPad 2 at work wanted to compare the screen on his iPad 2 to the screen on my iPad 3…we placed the iPads side by side and visited the same web sites, looked at the same photos, etc...

To the surprise of both of us we could not see the difference which leads to the questions what is the best method / test for highlighting the difference between the iPad 2’s non-retina display and the iPad 3’s retina display…

Thanks in advance…


Joel

Wow, when I go from my iPad 3 to my girlfriend's iPad 2 I see a huge difference in screen quality!

 

[-TYLER]

I agree with you there. His post could apply more towards -TYLER than to you.
Cause he's the one saying there's no difference in the two screens, even though he has perfect vision, apparently.

Time to get your eyes checked because I never said there was no difference between the two screens.

I am 18, my eyes are perfectly fine, no strain or problems when using my iPad 2 for multiple hours of reading. I didn't feel the need to pay $200 more for a screen that wouldn't make much difference to me. Still able to use my iPad 2 in all of the same ways I would of been using a iPad 3.

 

[Technarchy]

I can tell the difference right away.

The difference is reading for me. Text looks much better on the new iPad. The colors are better as well.

 

[BluePhoenixRa]

Time to get your eyes checked because I never said there was no difference between the two screens.

*goes and looks back at your comments*..True. Not no difference. You said "I don't really see much of a difference". So yes, I do need an eye check apparently.

And, I never said anything about buying the iPad 2 or iPad 3, what you buy is up to you and I have no problem with what you buy (No one should. It's your money.)
My point however remains the same (as I said before), there is a drastic difference in screen. Not a little. More apparent to some than others.

However, this does not make the iPad 2 worthless. It still is one of the best tablets out there.

 

[Andrew K.]

I get this question all the time at work. I put both side by side and tell them to look at the iTunes Store icon and compare color and sharpness. They can tell right away. Now if you really don't notice the difference then I'd say don't worry about it and get the iPad 2. I have 20/15 vision and I can even see the pixel differential on the new iPad so the older iPad always looked kinda meh.

 

[Booji]

If you can't tell the difference, then you should not buy it! Simple as that.

For those who can tell the difference, its totally worth it.

 

[virginblue4]

I'm sorry, but it's really hard to believe that people with perfect vision can't tell the difference between the clarity of the iPad 2 and 3..
I'm not even trying to be funny here. If you can't tell the difference of the sharpness between the two devices, you need to get your eyes checked.

The difference is immense. And by immense I mean, IMMENSE.
So much so that when looking at the iPad 2 text, it looks pixelated. Badly. Whereas the iPad 3 makes them look so much better and crisper.

Just compare the keyboards. Or even read this thread on the two iPads side by side.
If you can't tell the difference, then well..I don't know what to say after that..the difference is just too drastic to miss.
Unless ofcourse..you're an iPhone 4S user. You won't have trouble adjusting to the iPad screen easily.

There really is. And to some it's more clearer than others.

I completely agree with you. I noticed the difference immediately and long back to the iPad 2 looks VERY pixelated.

I am an iPhone 4S user and the two compliment each other very well.

 

[Mechinyun]

iPad 3 screen is a bit better for me but not enough to change from my 2.

Rumours talk about a lighter and slimmer version of the 3 coming soon with less heat because of a reduction in backlight leds. I'll definitely look at that.

I didn't like the extra weight of the 3 that many folks reckoned they didn't notice. I did! And the wondrous new retina screen reminded me of the Kings New Clothes! Great for them that can see them!

Agreed on all points.

 

[dancj]

I think I'm in the minority, but the iPad 1 and 2 never had a good enough screen for me. Whenever I looked at them the resolution always made it look a bit blurry. I held out for the iPad 3 and the difference is immense.

 

[Hoggles]

The difference in screens is night and day. No comparison whatsoever.

If you can't appreciate the difference between 2048x1536 and 1024x768, you may have poor vision....that simple. IPad2 is so grainy and blurry in comparrison.

 

[Mactrillionaire]

Really?

Not true. There's a HUGE difference in the display. In fact, it is one of the good things the iPad has going for it. I wouldn't buy it for that reason alone though.

 

[JoeShades]

there is a huge difference

 

[riveting]

The only reason I own ipad (3) is because of the display of ipad 3, so owning an ipad 2 would be useless for me.

 

[squidkitten]

I went to the Apple Store the other day for a Genius Bar appointment and played around with the iPad 2's on display, and I immediately noticed the difference…I can just see the pixels much more clearly, especially in the text below the app icons. Text for reading is much crisper as well.

The iPad 2 isn't bad by any means. It just reminds me of my MBP screen.

 

[richardmu]

Roll on the iPad 3+.

My iPad 2 will be on ebay in a flash if a 3+ actually happens!

 

[boomhower]

Finally got to see one last night for the first time. Was the screen better, yeah of course. But definitely not enough to justify buying one when I already have a 2.

 

[Beta Particle]

Finally got to see one last night for the first time. Was the screen better, yeah of course. But definitely not enough to justify buying one when I already have a 2.

I've said it many times, at a first glance, it doesn't seem like a massive difference. But live with one for more than a week or two, and you simply can't go back to the older iPad displays.

 

[PowerPlayTennis]

I just got an iPad 3 today after much, much debate. I must say the screen is far superior to the iPad 2. There is a noticeable difference...a major one. I am pleased.

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I just got an iPad 3 today after much, much debate. I must say the screen is far superior to the iPad 2. There is a noticeable difference...a major one. I am pleased.

I was going to purchase the iPad 2 refurb online, but I know that after having here the iPhone 4s and my rmbp the iPad two wouldn't measure up. So... I decided to spend a little extra and get the iPad 3. Loving it like the rest of my devices.