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Apple iPad (3rd generation, Wi-Fi + LTE)

9.3 Verge Score 9.0 User Score Write Review
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Verge Review

The moment Tim Cook took the stage and announced the new iPad on March 7th in San Francisco, I immediately started brainstorming on my review for the device. There are clear challenges in comparing generational, iterative products like the iPad — especially when the devices themselves look nearly identical. Looks, of course, are really only half the story with the new iPad (side note: the name is just "iPad," though Apple seems to be using "new" quite liberally). In fact, looks may not be...

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Basic Specs

Thickness 0.37 inches
Weight 1.46 pounds
Screen size (diagonal) 9.7 inches
Operating system iOS
Launch OS version 5.1
Media streaming AirPlay
CPU brand Apple
CPU family A5X
RAM size 1 GB
Carriers Verizon Wireless, AT&T;

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Tech Specs

Hardware

Height 9.5 inches
Width 7.31 inches
Thickness 0.37 inches
Weight 1.46 pounds
Color Silver / Black, Silver / White
Speakers Mono

Display

Screen size (diagonal) 9.7 inches
Technology IPS LCD
Resolution (X) 1536 px
Resolution (Y) 2048 px
Touchscreen type Capacitive
Multitouch Yes

Software

Operating system iOS
Launch OS version 5.1
Media streaming AirPlay

Processor

CPU brand Apple
CPU family A5X
Cores 2

Memory

RAM size 1 GB

Storage

Internal size 64 GB, 32 GB, 16 GB

Connectivity

Carriers Verizon Wireless, AT&T;
Other carriers Telus, Bell, Rogers
3G Yes
CDMA Yes
CDMA frequencies 1900, 850
GSM Yes
GSM frequencies 1900, 1800, 900, 850
UMTS / HSPA Yes
UMTS frequencies 2100, 1900, 900, 850
4G Yes
LTE Yes
LTE frequencies 700
WWAN data standards UMTS, LTE, EV-DO Rev. A, HSPA+, HSDPA
Max. WWAN downlink speed 72 Mbps
Wi-Fi Yes
Wi-Fi support 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a
GPS Yes
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth version 4.0

Front Camera

Video framerate 30

Rear Camera

Effective pixels 5 megapixels
Focus type Autofocus
Video resolution 1080p

Ports

Video out Yes
Headphone 3.5mm
Data connections iPod

Sensors

Sensors Ambient Light, Gyroscope, Accelerometer

Battery

Capacity 42.5 Wh
Removable No
Quoted use time 9 hr
9.0

Average User Review

of 22 total reviews
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  • Design 9
  • Display 10
  • Camera(s) 8
  • Speakers 7
  • Performance 9
  • Software 9
  • Battery life 9
  • Ecosystem 10
  • Dock 8

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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by marcusedwardbaker (Currently owns)

    May 8, 2012 09:48 am

    This device is one that has been hotly intacipated by myself and literally millions of other. My device specifically is flawless (besides the laser-engraved typo). The screen is amazing and a pleasure to ready, my only problem is I CAN see the pixels and every now and agian I am reminded of thier existance. Nevertheless, the screen is the best you can find on any tablet today (and 100 times better then my former Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE). The only thing that I find not holding up to my standards is the battery life. On my orginial iPad it felt like the battery lasted much longer then that of the new iPad, but it will still make it through a good day or two with moderate to heavy use. I use the iPad on AT&T; and live in an HSPA+ zone (AT&T; likes to remind me with the constant '4G' icon). I have yet to speed test it, but, the rates I am getting seen pretty snappy for web browsing and watching Hulu Plus. All-in-all I think this is a great device and would recommend it to anyone in the market for a tablet.

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    • Camera(s) 8
    • Speakers 8
    • Performance 9
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 7
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 9
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  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by jobikri5 (Currently owns)

    May 6, 2012 04:31 am

    The best tablet in market today. The new iPad is insanely awesome. I love it. It just screams power. I use it for browsing, gaming, sending e mails, photos, and Music. The New iPad delivers extremely good sound out of headphones. Android tablets are garbage compared to the iPad. Photos and the great retina apps look insanely beautiful. I'ts the sharpest screen in my house.

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    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 10
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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by Schenkenberg (Currently owns)

    April 8, 2012 03:26 pm

    What can I say it's the first tablet I own and it's pretty cool.

    The good: The screen is awesome, os is smooth, AppStore, nice design, battery life, browser.

    The bad: the weight, speakers, front facing camera, video player don't support many video formats, no micro sd.

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    • Performance 9
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 9
    • Dock 8
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by freetab (Currently owns)

    April 5, 2012 10:45 pm

    The new iPad is truly a brand new experience over the original, which is what I upgraded from. For this review, I am writing about the 32GB White 4G-LTE on Verizon version. First and foremost, the screen is absolutely gorgeous. No matter how much you hear about it or see it on your computer screen, you can't truly understand it until you actually see it. If you don't even plan to get the iPad, go to the Apple Store anyway just to see how good it is. After using it for a while, my screen on my MacBook Pro looks like there's grease rubbed all over it! As usual, the design is exceptional and feels really good to see and hold. The speakers are a major improvement, but it would be nice to have them facing towards me instead of away. Performance and battery life are both fantastic with major improvements over my last iPad. As for software, I never really had a problem with the whole iOS ecosystem, but there are a few major areas that are in need for improvement right now, which will likely be fixed in iOS 6. Battery was about 9:30 on WiFi and a little less on 4G. 4G in central NJ on Verizon was really nice with about 25mbps with 3-4 bars on average. The camera is also really nice and even better than my iPhone 4 at some points, but still not too practical. Overall, it is a really nice device that has no comparison at all. Everything from the design to the screen is a complete redesign compared to the original. If you happen to have the original iPad, I'd say get the new one as soon as possible because it really is like a new experience. As for iPad 2 owners, don't buy it. Just think, you can get the iPad 4 next year! Based on other tablets, there are no true competitors to it. However, I do wish that at least one would come about just to provide a useful alternative to potential tablet buyers.

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    • Camera(s) 8
    • Speakers 8
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 8
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by fidalgo (Currently owns)

    March 27, 2012 03:21 pm

    My one complaint is a very minor one -- the weight. I'm coming from an iPhone and a Kindle universe, and there is a big difference is the effort exerted by the fingers and wrist to keep this thing aloft. Not by any means a deal breaker, but something to consider. That said, it's an awe-inspiring device, nothing comes close.

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    • Camera(s) 5
    • Speakers 5
    • Performance 8
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by requieminadream (Currently owns)

    March 22, 2012 06:16 pm

    Despite the "walled garden" which Google is slowly starting to realize is the way to go, the App Store makes the iPad what it is. With a range of apps from productivity powerhouses and triple-A games, to tomes of knowledge on travel, science, math, and so many other topics, the App Store literally has something for EVERYONE. Compare specs all you want, it's the App Store that turns this device into the revelation Apple claims it is.

    But of course, there's more. The screen should go without saying, but I'll mention it briefly anyway.

    Wow.

    How's that for brief?

    The weight of the device is definitely noticeable coming from an iPad 2, more-so than you might imagine, but it's not uncomfortable to hold in one hand, and it is actually perfect while sitting on a bus or train.

    The AT&T; 4G LTE is blazing fast here in NYC. I'm getting speeds matching my mid-range FiOS connection at home. Last I tested I got roughly 22Mb/s Down, 8 Up. The fact that I'm getting those speeds on a mobile device not connected to WiFi... WOW.

    The battery seems to drain a bit faster than my iPad 2 did, though it may be because I'm using it a heck of a lot more (That screen really makes it a joy).

    And yes, it's significantly warmer than it's predecessor.

    Overall this is a worthy successor to what really is the only Tablet on the market worth buying.

    Say what you will about Apple and their "locked down" ecosystem, or the "archaic" OS... The App Store turns this device into something great. I love the idea of the configurability of Ice Cream Sandwich, but without the App ecosystem, what am I configuring? The Home Screen?

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    • Camera(s) 6
    • Speakers 8
    • Performance 9
    • Software 7
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 10
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by darkcrayon (Currently owns)

    March 20, 2012 10:07 pm

    Improves on the already excellent iPad 2 in the most logical areas by changing one of its few weaknesses (low resolution screen) into one of its biggest strengths (very high resolution screen). Because of this, they made the tradeoff of having slightly heavier device, but considering most people spend a lot more time staring at the screen than curling it, it was the right one.

    LTE is another welcome upgrade if you have coverage (I get about 10 megabit at home with 2 bars, a higher strength area might yield better results).

    The rear camera went from grainy uselessness to actually respectable pictures - I will still be using my smartphone for photography, but it's nice that the iPad now has a decent "eye" on the back. Should be great for photographing whiteboards, etc in the office.

    With Apple continuing to improve its very competent suite of touch apps and continued developer support, the iPad remains the product to beat in the market.

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    • Speakers 6
    • Performance 9
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 9
    • Dock 6
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by evansims (Currently owns)

    March 20, 2012 05:00 pm

    I purchased my third-generation iPad as a replacement for my aging, Wifi-only first generation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I've been absolutely blown away by the gorgeous display and performance of the new model. I purchased the LTE version to take advantage of the tethering functionality, as I work from the road quite a lot, and I've been very pleased with the performance and availability (on Verizon) I'm seeing. I do wish Apple had refreshed the hardware styling a bit, but that is really just idle nit-picking. Having never owned a cellular model before, I was a bit disappointed to see the battery life is much worse than my Wifi-only first gen, but that is to be expected, especially when LTE is enabled.

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    • Camera(s) 9
    • Speakers 8
    • Performance 9
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 9
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  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by Feltzem (Currently owns)

    March 20, 2012 04:53 pm

    Probably the greatest piece of technology I've ever owned. It should go without saying that the retina display is incredible, and just using the device is such a great experience. All my media is there (and backed up), the app ecosystem is great, the battery easily lasts the day, losing only about 60% by the evening. Awesome product, I highly recommend it for anyone looking to buy a tablet.

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    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    • Dock 10
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by CliftonD (Currently owns)

    March 20, 2012 04:43 pm

    Having gone from IPad 1 to iPad 3, it's like going from BMW to an Aston Martin. The iPad has been, since day 1 a fantastic way to interact with the Internet and cloud computing. This latest model enhances that experience and pleasure, so much attention to careful design in every aspect. There is no way back from here, the rules have changed.

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    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 9
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