iPad 2 VS iPad 3 VS iPad 4
Differences: iPad 2 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 4?
While you’re getting a iPad device, you’re making a choice from iPad 2, The New iPad (iPad 3) and iPad with Retina display (iPad 4). Which is the best buy?
Back in October of 2012, Apple released the latest iPad 4. But the iPad 4 can’t be considered a no-brainer buy this year because Apple has now also introduced the all-new iPad mini. The iPad 2 also attracts your attentions by its slightly-cheaper price. Not to mention iPad 3 was the first tablet with the signature high-density display.
Here we’ll give you a comparison of iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad 4 specs. So you can shop iPad by model.
Display: The iPad 3 and iPad 4 with Retina Display
Both the iPad 3 and the iPad 4 come with Apple’s Retina display, which features a resolution with four times the detail as the original iPad and iPad 2. The 2048-by-1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi), which is so detailed that the human eye cannot tell individual pixels apart when the device is held at a normal viewing distance. The enhanced display also means support for 1080p video. HD movies can be downloaded from iTunes, but Netflix and Hulu will need to update their apps before HD is fully supported.
Camera: iPad 4 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 2
Apple greatly upgrade the front-facing camera of iPad. Since iPad 2 has terrible camera, iPad 3 has a 0.3MP standard definition camera, and the iPad 4 (or iPad with Retina display, or 4th generation iPad) came with a 5mp camera on the back that can shoot 1080p video. That’s to say, the iPad 4 makes full use of the Retina display for video chatting with a 1.2MP HD camera.
Processor: iPad 4 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 2
The iPad 4 is the new king of the tablets. It has everything the iPad 2 had, and a lot more. Compared to the iPad 3, it has a faster Apple A6X process, which is roughly twice as fast as the iPad 3’s A5X chipset. Apple says “doubles the performance of CPU tasks.”
Siri: only along with iPad 4 and iPad Mini
In the iPad family, only iPad mini and iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display) have Siri, with which you can use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more. iPad 2 and iPad 3? There isn’t.
Connectors: The iPad 4 Has a Special One
Both of iPad 2 and iPad 3 (new iPad) have a 30-pin Connector. While iPad 4 and iPad mini came with the new 8-pin lightning dock, which is smaller and more durable than Apple’s original 30-pin offering.
Wi-Fi + Cellular Version with The iPad 4
The other major difference is that the iPad 4 (Wi-Fi + Cellular version) comes LTE enabled. The iPad 3 did come enabled with 4G, however, it couldn’t be used in the U.K. But, with the introduction of the iPad 4 Brits can also enjoy super fast mobile internet when they’re out and about.
Price: iPad 2 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 4
Apple offers the iPad 2 at one price point:
- 16GB – $399
If you want it with 3G GSM/CDMA, the price go up $130:
- 16GB – $529
The iPad 4 starts at the same $499 price point as the previous generation iPad 3, and the Wi-Fi +Cellular versions cost the same additional $130 as the Wi-Fi version. Storage capacities remain the same as well, as do black and white color options.
- 16GB: $499 / $629
- 32GB: $599 / $729
- 64GB: $699 / $829
iPad 2 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 4: Which is The Best Buy?
If you know you want a top of the line iPad, with the latest and greatest features and every bit of cool technology Apple has to offer, then get the iPad 4.
While the iPad 2 doesn’t support 1080p video, video still looks very nice on the device and the tablet does support 720p playback when connecting the iPad to your HDTV. And iPad 2 owners may miss Siri, but it is hard to say it alone is worth the increase in price.
As the iPad Mini using the same central processor as the iPad 2, we know Apple believes the iPad 2 is plenty fast enough for most purposes. In fact, the iPad Mini ensures that developers will continue to support the same screen resolution and processing speeds for quite some time.
The best buy right now may be the iPad 3. The 16 GB WiFi version can be as low as $349, which is cheaper than a new iPad 2. And while supplies last, some retailers will be selling off the last of their iPad 3 tablets, which will be discounted around $50.
Prospective buyers may also want to look into the iPad Mini. While it is smaller than and iPad 2, having a 7.9 inch display verses a 9.7 inch display, it is just as powerful as the iPad 2, has better cameras, supports Siri and costs less.
iPad Mini or iPad 2?
- Travel a lot = iPad mini
- Usage at home or office = iPad 2
- Graphics Editing = iPad 2
- Movies on the move = iPad mini
The iPad 2 vs iPad 3 vs iPad 4 Comparison Chart:
| Feature | iPad 2 | iPad 3 | iPad 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-Core Apple A5 | Dual-Core Apple A5X | Dual-Core Apple A6X |
| Graphics: | PowerVR SGX543MP2 | PowerVR SGX543MP4 | PowerVR SGX543MP4 |
| Display: | 1024×768 | 2048×1536 | 2048×1536 |
| Memory: | 512 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Storage: | 16, 32, 64 GB | 16, 32, 64 GB | 16, 32, 64 GB |
| Camera: | Front-facing and 720p rear-facing | 720p Front-facing and iSight 5 MP rear-facing | 720p Front-facing and iSight 5 MP rear-facing |
| Data Rate: | 3 G | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Data Rate: | 3 G | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
| Bluetooth: | 2.1 + EDR | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Siri: | NO | YES | YES |
| Accelerometer: | YES | YES | YES |
| Compass: | YES | YES | YES |
| Gyroscope: | YES | YES | YES |
| GPS: | 3G Version Only | 4G Version Only | 4G Version Only |
