Our Verdict
Apple has left the outside of the new iPad 2021 alone , but the interior upgrade make it a worthy replacement to the 2020 version . The addition of rightful Tone on the presentation , a much undecomposed front - face tv camera , increase storage and the potent A13 Bionic chip is enough to put some space between the devices . In the UK there ’s even been a price drop from 2020 , so the iPad 2021 is the one to buy .
Best Prices Today: Apple iPad 10.2in (2021)
At its 14 September California Streaming effect , Apple announced several young products , including the iPhone 13 , a redesigned iPad mini and an update to the measure 10.2 in iPad . We take a look at how the 2021 iPad compares to the 2020 model it exchange .
Design
Unlike theiPad mini ( 2021)that saw a major overhaul in price of frame and features , Apple has stuck with its long - brook design for the standard iPad . That means that the 2021 mannequin is identical to its predecessor , with a 250.6 mm x 174.1 mm x 7.5 mm frame that was also the one used for the 2019 7th - generation iPad .
Weight is practically the same too , with the Wi - Fi version tap the scales at 487 GB , which is three grams less than the 490 g on the 2020 model . LTE version are the same weighting at 498 g.
So , all example boast a 10.2 in display , Home clit , headphone jack , lightning port , sassy connecter , twin speakers and the wide bezels that have now been resident for three iterations .
They also sustain the first genesis Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard . The only aesthetic change are that the 2021 role model is now only available in Space Grey and Silver , with the Gold livery being cut down this sentence around . Plus , the white front fascia on the Silver model has been substitute by a black one on the 2021 iPad . Otherwise , it ’s as you were .
Features and performance
While the externals of the iPads may be the same , Apple has made some advance to the portion . Here ’s the main differences between the two .
Display
Both the 2020 and 2021 iPads have 10.2 in unlaminated Retina exhibit with 2,160 x 1,620 resolution , 264ppi and maximal brightness of 500 nit .
But , Apple has bestowed upon the latest edition a board that offers True Tone , the feature article that change the color temperature of the display to best suit the circumvent surroundings . It also offer sRGB for more balanced colours on the screen .
Either display is perfectly usable mean solar day - to - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , although if you need advanced features like fully laminate screens or the removal of the Home button , then you ’ll want to look at theiPad Air ( 2020)or newiPad mini ( 2021 ) .
Processor and storage
The10.2 in iPad ( 2020)was already a pretty immobile gadget thanks to the A12 Bionic chip at its centre . This is the same one used in the iPhone XS , XS Max and XR , as well as the 2019iPad AirandiPad Mini .
For 2021 , Apple has kick upstairs the 10.2 in iPad to the A13 Bionic flake , which also power theiPhone SE(from 2020 ) and theiPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro(from 2018 ) . So , carry the experience to be that much swifter thanks to the new silicon .
One of our favourite improvements to the 10.2 in iPad ( 2021 ) is that Apple has duplicate the store content . Where the 2020 iPad started with a rather paltry 32 GB and clear out at 128 GB , the new manikin now comes with a far more suitable 64 GB service line and also offer a 256 GB var. .
Cameras
The rearward camera building block remains unaltered this metre around , so both models come with a f/2.4 , 8MP Wide camera , equipped with a 5x digital rapid climb and HDR for photos . This is up to of capture 1080p footage at 30fps , slo - mo television at 720p and 120fps , plus clip - lapsing video with stabilization .
It ’s expert for snapshots when you do n’t have your iPhone to hand , but the sizing and ill-chosen nature of big iPads means you would n’t want to expend it as your main television camera .
One area that has seen some tending for the novel iPad is the front front photographic camera . The honest-to-goodness f/2.4 , 1.2MP FaceTime unit from the iPad ( 2020 ) makes way for a much better f/2.4 12MP Ultra extensive camera in the iPad ( 2021 ) .
This play with it a 2x rapid climb out capableness that allows Apple ’s new Centre Stage feature of speech to come to its tawdry iPad . This tracks your face on a video call , surge out to keep you in the centre of the screenland or to incorporate any others that come to join you . It ’s a simple but nerveless effect that can make your boring old FaceTime calls a small more fun .
The new front face tv camera also grouse up the video transcription quality on the 2021 iPad , with a maximal solving of 1080p at 60fps and extended dynamic range for better colours if you gravel to 30fps . Again , this surpass the iPad ( 2020 ) tv camera , which can only get by 720p HD .
Connectivity
Parity is the ordering of the solar day for connectivity . Both iPads come with Wi - Fi 5 , MIMO , Bluetooth 4 . If you require newer standards , Wi - Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 you need to beak one of the other iPads .
If you opt for the fluid connection compatible model then you ’ll be able to make use of Nano or eSims and Gigabit - class LTE that supports up to 27 - bands . Only the iPad miniskirt and iPad Pro offer 5 M so far .
There ’s also built - in Global Positioning System that you may use with Maps if you cast aside from the lands you know .
Battery life
Apple has said that stamp battery life should be the same on both models , with around 10 hours of web browse and streaming from a single charge .
Here ’s a breakdown of the technological specification for the two models of 10.2 in iPad :
Software
Apple is know for keeping its old products on the latest versions of software package for longer than most others in the industry . Both of these iPads will run on iPadOS 15 , and you could be confident that you ’ll get a few more upgrades before they maturate out . plain , due to the newer chip , the iPad ( 2021 ) should last a short longer .
To see what Apple ’s latest tablet software has to offer , read ourguide to iPadOS 15 .
Verdict
There are not too many difference between the 2020 and 2021 10.2 in iPad , but Apple has prefer its refinement well . The display has been bumped up to True Tone , the front - face camera has invite a big ascent in terms of quality , plus the A13 Bionic chip shot should mean you get faster performance . The real reward of the new model is the fact that you get double as much storage as with the previous one .
If you’re able to get the old mannequin for a softwood – that ’s less than the £ 319 need monetary value of the new model , then it ’s worth considering ( check the late deals on the 2020 model below , the best price for the 2021 model is at the top of the page ) . But the new one is well priced and well specced , so we ’d go with that .