Apple has announced the release of the iPad 8th generation which seems to be in for a big improvement. All this, while still being Apple’s most affordable tablet you can expect more power at the same low prices.
Price
Apple’s iPad 8 will be sold for the same price as the previous generation at $329 for the base Wi-Fi model. The Wi-Fi plus Cellular model will be sold for $459. The device comes with a 32GB capacity and can be upgraded to 128GB of storage space. If you want to buy the 128GB upgrade, it will cost an additional $100.
Release Date
The iPad 8 is available for purchase now on the official Apple website. It is expected to be available for purchase in retail stores beginning September 18th.
Colorways
The iPad 8th generation will be available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold colorways.
Performance
The most distinct upgrade that the iPad 8 is getting will be the A12 Bionic chip. Apple claims that it will double the graphics power and deliver up to 40% faster CPU performance.
Apple Pencil & Keyboard Support
Unfortunately, the iPad 8th generation will not support the newest version of the Apple Pencil. It is only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil.
The iPad 8 also does not work with the Magic Keyboard, but it does work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard. The Smart Keyboard is available for $159.
Camera Quality
Both the rear and front-facing cameras on the iPad 8 are not outstanding by any means. The tablet contains an 8MP camera that should feature enhanced live photos thanks to the A12 Bionic chip.
The front-facing features a 1.2MP camera. Which is also by no means anything to write home about. But it is definitely sufficient for FaceTime calls.
Battery Life
Apple claims that the iPad 8th generation will have a battery life capable of sustaining 10 hours of use while surfing the web and watching videos on Wi-Fi. But 9 hours when using LTE.
Unfortunately, I cannot confirm this to be true until I get my hands on one of these to test.
In Conclusion, TLDR
The iPad 8 will be sold for the same opening price as the previous generation at $329 without additional upgrades. The base model contains a stronger processor that boasts up to 40% faster CPU performance than its predecessor. Additionally, it is available for purchase now on the Apple website and will be sold in retail stores beginning September 18th.
Disclaimer: All product prices listed are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.
