New 9.7-Inch iPad Teardown Confirms It's Basically an Original iPad Air

[oldmacs]

The lack of screen lamination/antiglare is a regression from the Air 2, but the A9 absolutely smokes the A8X in single core/multi core performance, really everywhere except graphics performance where it's a dead head (the X in the A8X is that third GPU where the A9 has two). And these will be retailed at less than $300 all day long.

What Apple has done is built an iPad with separate (and cheaper-to-replace) glass and LCD, with as up-to-date CPU as anything out there -- and Touch ID -- that is going to be good for iOS updates far into the future. (As an original iPad mini owner running iOS 9.3.5, I can vouch for the importance of this.)

Are you comparing the A9 or the A9X - I think the A9 (not x) will be about on par with the A8X. I wouldn't call the CPU "up to date as anything out there" I would call it on par with 2015 phone technology, not 2017 tablet technology. What Apple has done is put in the bare minimum to maintain high margins.

This iPad is already a generation outdated and it isn't even the best performance of the 2015 generation where it belongs. It's just like the iPad mini 1 - old internals that won't get the life span something released in 2017 should.

This is an iPad for the masses (schools, kids, grandparents) where value for money is the key driving factor, and as I said in an earlier post, there isn't any competing tablet of this quality and performance on the market anywhere near this price.

Apple used to be able to deliver its top of the line iPad experience for a price not too much more than this. This thing is $469 in Australia, the iPad 4 for example was only $60 more expensive when it was the latest and greatest, compared to this which is underdone. Perhaps this has been effected by other factors, but I don't think its going to do much for the market. The Whole iPad Pro thing has been about raising the price of what they used to deliver by about $200, and things like this are delivering old tech at prices which are still too high in my opinion. Probably different in the US though.
[doublepost=1490925664][/doublepost]

They're not, they're the iPad equivalent of the SE designed to extend the halo of Apple services to a broader audience.

I wouldn't even say they were the equivalent of the SE - The SE while having the older design had flagship performance, battery life, camera etc when it came out early last year. The new iPad has none of that. Half the reason for the older design for the SE was to deliver the smaller screen plus lower price, but this iPad, it was purely to save money.

 

[John.B]

They're not, they're the iPad equivalent of the SE designed to extend the halo of Apple services to a broader audience.

Yes, an "SE" level screen, but with fully modern guts (and Touch ID). I guess I don't see that as a bad thing.

For as many years as Apple has been selling previous years' flagship iPads as their cheaper, downlevel models, which then suffer from "iOS obsolescence" all too soon, I think it's fantastic that the iPad 5th Gen (and iPhone SE) are getting fast, current generation processors.

If I had to guess, I'd say Apple is going to sell a metric crapton of these iPads to what the marketing types call "value sensitive" consumers (i.e. most of the world) and the relatively few MR types will buy iPad Pros instead.

 

[JohnApples]

• RetinaHD screen and everything that entails

I'd like a little more screen real estate even at the expense of size. However, for most, there's no need for it on a phone that size.

• Upgraded front-facing camera

For those that don't take a lot of selfies, it's unnecessary.

• 3D Touch

I can't for the life of me figure out why I need this. Maybe some day, when Apple rolls out a must have feature. Again, not an issue for many.

• TouchID 2nd gen

1st Gen TouchID is plenty fast. I was surprised to learn it could go faster, and not sure I'd want it to in some instances.

• Wifi with MIMO

Tech that's not widely implemented, nor likely to be in the next few years.

• LTE up to 300mbps (only up to 150 on SE)

Most real world LTE doesn't come close to that.

• Barometer

Nice to have, but not essential, especially for those who already have an Apple Watch, or don't care about fitness.
[doublepost=1490925216][/doublepost]

They're not, they're the iPad equivalent of the SE designed to extend the halo of Apple services to a broader audience.

I was in no way calling the SE a "lesser phone" or stating that the 6S was better. In fact I bought my entire family SE's. I was merely correcting the poster that claimed the SE was identical to the 6S minus the body.

 

[John.B]

Are you comparing the A9 or the A9X - I think the A9 (not x) will be about on par with the A8X. I wouldn't call the CPU "up to date as anything out there" I would call it on par with 2015 phone technology, not 2017 tablet technology. What Apple has done is put in the bare minimum to maintain high margins.

Compared to what came before it (Ars post summarizing a MR video):

Geekbench 4:
New iPad (A9): single core 2504, multicore 4224
iPad Air 2 (A8X): single core 1816, multicore 4232

Antutu:
New iPad (A9): 128403
iPad Air 2 (A8X): 107053​

The A9X in the iPad Pros are faster, but are also literally twice as expensive to start and go up from there.

The A9 in the iPad 5th Gen (I hate that name) is a far cry from literally 10 days ago where the cheapest iPad was the iPad mini 2 with A7 from, what?, 3-½ years ago?

 

[oldmacs]

Compared to what came before it (Ars post summarizing a MR video):

Geekbench 4:
New iPad (A9): single core 2504, multicore 4224
iPad Air 2 (A8X): single core 1816, multicore 4232

Antutu:
New iPad (A9): 128403
iPad Air 2 (A8X): 107053
The A9X in the iPad Pros are faster, but are also literally twice as expensive to start and go up from there.

The A9 in the iPad 5th Gen (I hate that name) is a far cry from literally 10 days ago where the cheapest iPad was the iPad mini 2 with A7 from, what?, 3-½ years ago?

I stand corrected. Couldn't find anything for the new iPad on geek bench. However that score isn't really that much better and is just on par for the multicore score.

Thats the problem - the A9X should have been standard in all iPads. The iPad Pro shouldn't be that expensive. It's not like this new iPad is even a the price point that the Mini 2 was at anyway.

Barely better than 2014 performance is really nothing special. This iPad should have an A10 or an A9X.

 

[Freyqq]

So iPad Air 2 was too good, so they rereleased the iPad Air 1 with a better processor so that the Ipad Pro could compete...rather than releasing a better iPad Pro?

 

[John.B]

So iPad Air 2 was too good, so they rereleased the iPad Air 1 with a better processor so that the Ipad Pro could compete...rather than releasing a better iPad Pro?

I'm pretty sure iPad Pro 2 models are in the works.

If I was in the market for a value priced iPad, I'd jump on one of these in a heartbeat.

If I was in the market for an iPad Pro, I'd be holding off to see whether or not 3D Touch shows up on one or more of those models.

YMMV.

 

[bluespark]

Hence the price, no complains.

it is really weird tho as this is the most un-Apple thing Apple did.

Not at all. Remember the eMac? Same idea exactly, and it was perfect for its target audience.

 

[Bacillus]

I'm familiar & prefer my devices to not be manufactured by the Chinese government or the U.S.'s largest advertising firm.

Your aforementioned manufacturers don't make each new handset from scratch each year either by the way.

Besides, I prefer evolutionary improvements that actually improve a product in lieu of throwing **** on the wall and seeing what sticks. Did you enjoy your 3D Amazon phone or your Facebook phone?

These mabufacturers did gradually improve designs instead of grabbing back to 3 yr olds
They have outpaced Apple in form and function hardware-wise. They're behind in ecosystem but how long will that be enough compensation for development fatigue?

 

[I7guy]

These mabufacturers did gradually improve designs instead of grabbing back to 3 yr olds
They have outpaced Apple in form and function hardware-wise. They're behind in ecosystem but how long will that be enough compensation for development fatigue?

We'll find out by the sales.

 

[Kameha]

Running out of creativity lol

 

[mi7chy]

Tablets are deader than dead considering the trend with phones getting 6"+ display.
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Mate, if you need command line for iPad, have you tried Prompt by Panic? No, you can't use it for local work, but if it's a remote terminal you need, it's very nice.

He's referring to local shell like Termux with installable packages, command line access to camera, text-to-speech, GPS, SMS, etc. Apple needs to overhaul iOS and remove its training wheels.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.termux

 

[recoil80]

I think I'm going for the Air 2, I can save about $70 for the same storage (32GB Cellular) and I get the anti reflective and laminated display, plus a lighter device.
I don't think mom will notice the difference between A8X and A9, maybe the new iPad will be supported for longer but I'm confident Air 2 will receive iOS update at least until 2019 so it is still a good alternative.

 

[kuropju]

musical chairs now since apple no longer innovates

Can't innovate anymore my ass
[doublepost=1490941912][/doublepost][QUOTE="(...) Or at least I can hardly tell a difference between my 5S and iP7+ anyway performance-wise"[/QUOTE]

I don't get how one could hardly tell a difference ... both phones are apart worlds and this is noticeable immediately. Even things as simple as pressing the home button is way speedier in an iPhone 7 Plus.

 

[dannys1]

That the APFS is something I am excited about.. quite a bit. No, I am not confusing the file browser and file system.

This stuff is there man, you just have to dig for it - the masses are not as interested as a new emoji so thats what Apple advertise. I mean iOS moving to APFS is monumental and Apple just pushed it without telling anyone or even announcing it as part of a .1 update!

 

[opethian]

No reason to change my iPad air 2 for one more year ...

 

[RuffyYoshi]

Question, I'm looking to buy my parents a pair of iPads. I don't think I can afford 2 Pro models, so either the Air 2 or this one. They use it for the typical stuff, web, facebook, photos, and games. Any thoughts?

 

[Radon87000]

I don't see any new revolutionary design or revolutionary innards. Just rehashed variations of what sharp started years ago with design.

But Sharp copied Samsung with that design as Samsung was reducing bezels long before Aquos dropped on the market. And yes The Galaxy S8 is the only competent flagship on the market packed full of useful features

As far as what Apple should have done vs what they did says a random internet poster? Maybe some info you're not privy to.

I dont give a hoot about what they do. As an Apple customer Apple has removed mid range devices from its lineup forcing me to choose between low end and high end
[doublepost=1490901105][/doublepost]

Irrelevant to you only. And has been shown "wipes the floor" is not really the case, should that video be trotted out again?

Lets follow your logic here. What do we see here?

OMG The 1800X which costs 500 is beating the 6950X which costs $1200. I run 3D Mark on my PC all day so it automatically follows that Ryzen 1800X > Intel 6950X. Who cares about the other stuff I do on my PC? The only tasks everyone does on their PC are 3D Mark

 

[Bacillus]

This defines a duhpgrade

 

[recoil80]

Question, I'm looking to buy my parents a pair of iPads. I don't think I can afford 2 Pro models, so either the Air 2 or this one. They use it for the typical stuff, web, facebook, photos, and games. Any thoughts?

I found a good deal for Air 2, $70 less than the new iPad for the same storage. Slower CPU but anti reflective display, and a lighter iPad. It is for my mother, I don't think she'll notice the CPU performance gap

 

[gnasher729]

Didn’t Steve say that Apple was in the business of making the best possible products, not in the business of racing to the bottom?

There's the iPad Pro for "the best possible product", and while this iPad is the cheapest Apple tablet, it's nowhere near the bottom of the tablet market, quite the contrary. So no "race to the bottom".

 

[chabig]

Jobs would never have retrograded a product line just to compete on price. That was antithetical to his entire philosophy on tech business.

Just another example of how Cook's Apple, Inc. is most certainly not Jobs' Apple Computer.

You should brush up on your iPod history. Moving downmarket is exactly what Apple did with the iPods and they owned the music player business.

 

[gnasher729]

its crazy to me that this has a lower price than any iPad Mini option

The reason is that the iPad Mini 4 only comes with 128 GB. It makes sense in a way: The Mini is something that you carry around with you all the time and use away from home, so it needs more storage. My wife's iPad at home doesn't need to store any movies, for example. There's a TV, and an Apple TV, and a Mac, and between them we can watch anything we want, so no need for movies on her iPad. When you carry the device with you, you want more things permanently on it (and 128GB is cheaper than the mobile data option, plus playing movies through mobile data can be very expensive).

 

[MacBH928]

If it was 64GB the price would be perfect...32GB given the OS takes half of it then there are apps that are 1GB or so...

That being said, I just don't see why I have to pay $300 more for a Pro model given this does almost everything the same.

 

[gnasher729]

I understand why, and how it's a relative thing internationally, but the prices have changed for people in the UK. The Mac Pro went from 2499 to 2999 over night and is was a ~3 year old product. That is unacceptable, and they should have absorbed the currency fluctuations on their old, already overpriced products, IMHO. No-one getting the 3+ year-old Mac Pro for even the equivalent of £2499 is getting a bargain if you ask me!

If you don't like the prices, complain to frog face (Farage) and mini-Trump (Boris Johnson). Not to Apple.

BTW. Frogface gets his salary as MEP paid in Euros. So unlike us, he actually has now 20% more money. For still doing not one bit of work for it, the parasite.