Apple iPad (8th generation) - The Best Value Tablet

Intro

The Apple iPad (8th generation) is a versatile and powerful tablet that offers incredible value for its price. In this review, Emquon provides an in-depth analysis of the iPad's design, performance, iPadOS 14 features, Apple Pencil integration, and more. Let's take a closer look at what makes this budget-friendly tablet stand out from the competition.

Unboxing

Upon unboxing the 2020 iPad (8th generation), you can expect to find the standard paperwork, including a sim ejector tool for the cellular version, warranty information, and the infamous Apple stickers. Additionally, the package includes a 20-watt USB-C charging brick, ensuring fast and efficient charging for the device.

Design

Visually, the design of the Apple iPad (8th generation) remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. The device features the familiar layout with speakers flanking the lightning ports, a cellular band at the top, the Apple logo, the iPad logo, and the rear camera. The front design retains slightly thicker bezels on the top and bottom and thinner ones on the sides, housing the front-facing camera and the home button with Touch ID. While some may view the design as outdated, the inclusion of the home button and Touch ID caters to a specific demographic accustomed to this functionality.

Display

The iPad (8th generation) sports a 10.2-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2160 by 1620 and 264 pixels per inch. With a brightness of 500 nits, the display offers excellent visibility, making it ideal for various environments, including those with ample sunlight. This display delivers high-quality visuals for media consumption, gaming, and video playback, meeting the expectations of most users.

Internal Upgrades

Internally, the iPad (8th generation) sees significant improvements, featuring the A12 Bionic chipset with a neural processing engine. This chipset, known for its capabilities in previous iPhone models, delivers impressive performance. When combined with iPadOS 14, the device offers a seamless user experience for everyday tasks such as gaming, web browsing, media consumption, and light content creation, including photo and video editing.

Performance Capabilities: The A12 Bionic chipset ensures smooth and efficient performance, making the iPad (8th generation) suitable for tasks like gaming, web browsing, and content consumption.
Comparative Performance: While it may not match the performance of the iPad Pro or iPad Air, the device handles tasks like video editing adequately, albeit at a slower pace compared to the higher-tier models.
Target Demographic: The iPad (8th generation) is tailored to individuals seeking a device for web browsing, media consumption, document work, and remote learning or work, making it well-suited for these use cases.

iPadOS + Apple Pencil

One of the features on the new Apple iPad (8th generation) involves the Apple Pencil. It's important to note that the iPad 8th generation supports only the first generation Apple Pencil. Although the second generation offers a better user experience with its magnetic attachment and ergonomic design, the first generation remains a very capable accessory. Despite the awkward charging experience, it enhances the functionality of the iPad and is particularly useful for certain word processing applications like notes and pages.

Scribble

iPadOS 14 introduces a feature called Scribble, which is a remarkably useful function that allows users to interact with the iPad operating system using natural handwriting. This feature works seamlessly in word processing applications like notes and pages, providing excellent control and making the iPad a versatile tool for both keyboard and handwriting input. Scribble enhances the tablet's functionality, offering a more intuitive and natural way to interact with the device.

Camera

The Apple iPad (8th generation) comes equipped with two cameras, offering basic functionality for capturing photos and videos. The rear camera features an 8-megapixel lens with an aperture of f/2.4, supporting video recording at 1080p up to 30 frames per second. While the rear camera delivers reasonable performance, it does not match the quality of the cameras found in the iPad Air or iPad Pro. On the other hand, the front-facing camera, known as the FaceTime HD camera, is a basic 1.2-megapixel lens with an aperture of f/2.4. It serves its purpose adequately for video conferencing and FaceTime calls, offering convenience for users when needed.

Value?

Despite its basic design, the Apple iPad (8th generation) offers significant value, especially with its internal upgrades and performance capabilities. While the external styling and design remain unchanged, the internal enhancements, particularly the performance bump from the previous generation, make it a compelling device. In today's environment where many individuals are working and studying from home, the iPad serves as a budget-friendly alternative to traditional laptops. When paired with accessories like the Apple Pencil and the Apple folio case, it transforms into a thinner, more intuitive device with a user-friendly experience, especially with iPadOS 14. In terms of performance, it can surpass many standard budget laptops, making it a valuable option for individuals seeking an affordable yet efficient computing device.

Color & Capacity

The Apple iPad (8th generation) is available in three classic color options: space grey, silver, and gold. When it comes to storage capacity, consumers can choose between the 32GB or 128GB variations. These options cater to different usage needs, ensuring that users can select the most suitable configuration for their requirements.

Your Thoughts

What are your thoughts on the latest Apple iPad (8th generation)? Are you excited about the color and capacity options available for this year's models? Share your opinions in the comment section below. Your feedback is valuable, and it's interesting to hear diverse perspectives on the new iPad lineup. If you're new here, don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the latest tech reviews and insights.