iPad 2021: specifications, price and other features

Reasons why it is an off-road tablet

There are certain characteristics of this tablet that, regardless of everything else, make it a good option for anyone looking for versatility. Compatible screen, dimensions, software and accessories are some of these that we analyze in the following sections.

Old screen, although improved

This iPad mounts a 1.02-inch IPS panel that Apple calls ‘Retina’. Getting to the point, we can tell you that the technology it uses is far from the best on the market such as OLEDs. Now, for this reason we cannot say that it is a bad screen. Not much less.

It is a screen that for everyday use is more than enough, since it offers good vision at all angles and has a brightness of 500 nits that allows it to be seen easily in practically any light circumstance, even if the sun hits it directly. the matter is complicated. But if there is something to highlight about this screen, more compared to previous generations of this range, it is that an anti-reflective layer has been added of which it is not necessary to describe too much with that name, beyond saying that it is tremendously effective.

Dimensions that make it very versatile

We consider the screen size to be fine for any average user, but it is accompanied by the following dimensions:

• Height: 25.06 centimeters
• Width: 17.41 centimeters
• Thickness: 0.75 centimeters
• Weight: 487 grams

With such data, you can get the idea that it is a very portable and easy to handle tablet. Obviously using it with one hand or keeping it in a pocket is complicated, but it takes up little space in a backpack or briefcase, in addition to not taking up too much if it is stored in a drawer or kept on a desk. The fact that it is also not excessively heavy, helps to use it in more comfortable rooms sitting or lying on the sofa or bed.

The brilliant iPadOS ecosystem

The iPadOS operating system, which will continue to be updated for at least 4-5 more years on this tablet, is one of the star points of this iPad. One of the big differences between Android tablets and those of Apple is the optimization of applications , which is achieved in a very notable way in those of the apple.

In the App Store it is possible to find applications and games of all kinds fully adapted to this tablet, working with total fluidity and without strange things in the interface, since they adapt one hundred percent to the size of the iPad. To this is added being able to enjoy full synchronization with other Apple computers such as an iPhone or Mac. From copying a text in one and pasting it in another to being able to have the same notes, photos and other data exactly the same in one and the other.

Added to this is the functionality added to iPadOS to make it replace a computer in many situations. Some of these are the Split View (split screen) or the possibility of using a keyboard or mouse and managing with them throughout the operating system. Features that in the end are not new in computers, but that work perfectly on the iPad as opposed to the iPhone.

All kinds of compatible accessories

Another leg that completes the adjective of off-road of this iPad is spun with the last thing we mentioned in the previous section. This iPad supports the use of a multitude of accessories such as keyboards, mice and stylus , which connect via Bluetooth to the device and are fully functional.

And if we look at official Apple accessories, we find that it is possible to use the Magic Mouse 2 , the 1st generation Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard . Precisely the latter is connected magnetically through the Smart Connector that integrates this iPad on the back and does not need a Bluetooth connection to work, being ready instantly.

This use of accessories makes the experience even more complete, multiplying the possibilities at your fingertips. Although, yes, there are negative aspects such as the use of external storage disks , having very limited compatibility with these due to the Lightning connector. Another rooster would sing if instead of that standard it incorporated USB-C, which improves its data transfer speed, but it is not the case.

Other characteristics that you are interested in knowing

Although what is shown above may already be a compelling reason to find the benefits (or not) of this iPad, there are other features to highlight that are not less important by not going after. Processor performance, battery, memory… Price! We will tell you all of this in the following sections.

Performance and fluidity with the A13 chip

The A13 Bionic processor was designed by Apple in 2019 and integrated for the first time in the iPhone 11. However, it has been extended to other devices such as this iPad. After these years, is it still a valid chip? Of course. Obviously it will not reach the level of other iPads such as those in the ‘Air’, ‘Pro’ and even ‘mini’ range, but it is not far behind either.

It performs quite well in everything that it is expected to do, such as opening applications quickly or navigating between system menus fluently. The A13 chip is still an excellent processor with which you can even dare to run heavier processes such as video or photo editing. It is perhaps not the most appropriate in terms of time or efficiency, since it will also consume many resources, but in a sporadic use of this type it can be more than valid.

Internal memory, enough?

One of the handicaps that this range of iPad had been dragging on was having very fair storage capacities, especially in the entry models. However, in this it has been doubled, offering capacities of 64 GB and 256 GB. This allows more data such as applications, photos and documents to be stored without having to delete anything or measure each GB consumed.

And in the event that it could fall short in some cases, you can always resort to other alternatives such as cloud storage services. Apple’s native iCloud also allows you to make backup copies with which to keep everything safe. Although, yes, with a monthly subscription.

In our opinion, the 64 GB is already a capacity more than suitable for these devices with normal use. And if you need a little more space, the 256 GB is difficult to fill unless you save a huge amount of photos and videos. In fact, the company’s Macs are based on that capacity, which already shows that it may be more than enough.

Battery life of this iPad

Let’s see first, the data that Apple offers us regarding the battery:

• Built-in 32.4w / h lithium polymer battery
• Internet browsing: 10 hours on WiFi and 9 hours on mobile data
• Streaming video playback: 10 hours on WiFi and 9 hours on mobile data

Now, what does it translate into on a day-to-day basis? Since in the end the data provided by the company is very relative, since these devices are rarely going to be used for a single action without interruption. And although an exact value cannot be given either because in the end it depends on the use that is given to it , we could say that as a general rule it gives for a day of use without problem.

All this with a more or less intensive and varied use in the use of office automation apps, Internet browsing, consulting social networks and viewing multimedia content. However, if it is not used in a very exhausting way, it could even last more than a day.

As an explanation for the fact that Apple does not say the exact capacity of the battery, you should know that this is a common practice that they have with their iPad and iPhone. The fact that they are the ones who design software and hardware allows greater optimization of resources that transforms into less consumption than might be expected. Therefore, it is understood that the company hides this information because on paper it may appear inferior to what it really is.

How much money is it worth?

It must be said that this iPad is divided into two versions. On the one hand we have the WiFi versions that are the normal iPad model that can be connected to the internet only through these networks. In these cases the prices are lower, increasing only when going to a higher storage capacity.

On the other hand we have the iPad with WiFi + Cellular that allow you to connect to the internet also through mobile data, offering the possibility of contracting a plan with a company. In these cases the price rises more from the start, increasing even more if the larger storage capacity is chosen.

Officially, it is possible to find them at Apple with these prices, regardless of whether in other authorized establishments it could cost less for some type of offer or similar:

• iPad (WiFi):
  • 64 GB of storage: 379 euros
  • 256 GB of storage: 549 euros
• iPad (WiFi + Cellular):
  • 64 GB of storage: 529 euros
  • 256 GB of storage: 689 euros

If you are wondering whether it is worth buying the WiFi + Cellular , we are sorry to tell you that the difference of 150 euros is not justified in most cases. If you are going to work a lot with the iPad away from home without the option of connecting to WiFi networks (not even sharing data from your mobile) perhaps it will compensate you, but not in the other cases. Keep in mind that hiring a plan for the iPad will mean an additional monthly expense that, if you really don’t use it, could be a handicap.

Outstanding camera improvements

An iPad is not the most suitable device for taking photos. Neither for the characteristics of its camera nor for convenience, since its size makes it much heavier to use it for photographs than a mobile phone. In any case, it never hurts to know what they offer in this field and, although we will detail something more later, they have an improvement that can be very interesting.

The improvement that we have been announcing is in the front camera . It is in this in which a functionality that until now was exclusive to the iPad Pro of 2021 has been added: the ultra wide angle with centered framing . This function allows that when making a video call, you always stay in the center of the camera if you are moving (obviously up to an angular limit). It even gives the feeling that the iPad is spinning, but everything is done by software. It is also ideal if you make video calls with more people around you.

Now, it is an interesting feature, but we do not think it is essential to choose this iPad. In our opinion, the rest of the specifications have a higher value and you should have judged each one of them, but if at this point you are decided, having functionalities like these is appreciated, being a luxury extra for this terminal.

What type of audience is it for then?

Traditionally, this range of iPad has been focused on students who need a lot of portability, make use of office apps and even take notes with the Apple Pencil. It is no exception in this generation and remains ideal for them for its excellent value for money.

However, it is not the only audience that can be focused on. It can be ideal if your use of tablets is very small and you want to start for the first time on the iPad, thus accessing the entire operating system that is very intuitive. You can watch series, check your email, update your schedule and much more.

The fact that you can also carry it with you and / or use it anywhere in the house also makes it a family iPad . The typical tablet that the grown-ups may well be using to surf the internet or the little ones to entertain themselves by playing or learning with the multiple apps for children that there are.

In all those cases this iPad is more than enough. Now, if you need more power to perform operations beyond those that we have been commenting on in this post, it will be your turn to assess whether the idea of buying an iPad Air or an iPad Pro can be better for you. And if the power is fair, but you want something even more portable, perhaps it is the iPad mini that best meets your needs.