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Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) review

8.6/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)
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8.6/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) currently has an Informr score of 8.6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 40 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) might be the perfect iPad option for everyday use. It’s big enough for productivity or movie watching but small enough to easily stash in your bag or hold while you read. Apple Pen support is also great -- but will add to the price.

What's good

  • Bright, colorful display
  • Blazing performance
  • Solid build
  • Light enough to hold for extended periods
  • Apple Pen support

What's bad

  • Lack of storage options
  • No microSD support
  • Apple Pen and a case will increase the price
  • No smart connector for accessories

The iPad has always been the tablet to beat in the rankings. Between build quality and performance, there are few tablets that can touch the experience. The latest release from Apple is geared toward education -- even holding a press conference in a school -- but does it make sense as an upgrade or budget-conscious choice for everyone else?

If you’ve seen the previous few iPad models, you know what to expect with the iPad 9.7 6th Generation. It’s a thin, light aluminum shell with two bottom firing stereo speakers and the typical minimalist Apple styling. The latest release is available in an array of colors, but there’s a good chance you’ll want to pop it in a protective case anyhow.

Around front, you’ll find the same 9.7-inch display running at 1536-by-2048 pixels that was in the previous model. But this isn’t a bad thing. The screen offers plenty of brightness for outdoor use, great contrast, and good color accuracy. 

If you’re planning on using your tablet for graphics or other color-sensitive work, the iPad Pro offers better accuracy. But for the average user, the screen on the 9.7 (2018) is more than enough.

There was a couple issues mentioned by reviewers. There is a noticeable gap between the screen and the glass. Also, while the screen is bright enough for outdoor use, the glossy finish leads to some glare issues.

The processor is one of the biggest upgrades in this latest release. It uses a 2.34Ghz quad-core Apple A10 Fusion processor with 2GB of RAM. The processor offers plenty of power for gaming, media consumption, and even productivity. Reviewers had no trouble with response times and even used the tablet for light video editing.

The previous model was no slouch. But the processor upgrade brings one more trick that reviewers loved -- Apple Pen support. Unfortunately, there’s still no easy way to store it with the iPad. And it’s not included with the tablet. So getting an Apple Pen will add a healthy chunk to the price. 

The tablet ships with the latest version of iOS 11. Reviewers expect roughly 4 years of software updates before Apple drops support.

The one downfall to iPads is the lack of storage expansion. To make matters worse, there are only two storage capacity options -- 32 or 128GB. While the price increase for 128GB makes the tablet a little less affordable, it’s a worthy upgrade if you plan to play the latest games, use your iPad as a mobile office, or store media locally for offline viewing.

As with most tablets, the cameras are a rather basic affair. You’ll find an 8MP rear camera and a 1MP front-facing lens. Reviewers found the cameras capable of quick snaps for the web or social sharing. But don’t expect the experience you’ll get in the iPhone. Details get muddy when zoomed in and low-light performance is less than stellar.

Battery life is one area where the tablet shines. The 32.4 watt-hour battery is capable of 10 hours of average usage without breaking a sweat. Many reviewers could squeak out an hour or two more for basic tasks or by dimming the screen.

Simply stated, reviewers loved the iPad 9.7 (2018). Wirecutter called it “the best tablet for most people because it offers the best combination of speed, features (including support for Apple Pencil), screen size, ecosystem, and price.” VentureBeat agreed, labeling it “Apple’s best entry-level iPad to date.”


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
2.34 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.34 GHz
9.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
9.7"
8+ MP, f/2.4
Camera
Camera
8+ MP, f/2.4
32.4 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag

The new 9.7-inch iPad provides plenty of power, long battery life and Apple Pencil support, all for a fairly affordable price, even if this slate is not a Chromebook killer.

- Mark Spoonauer, Laptop Mag
Tech.Co
Tech.Co

In most cases, anyone looking to buy an iPad should choose this model. The price tag represents excellent value for what you actually get (are we really saying that about an Apple product?), and even though there are more powerful options in the Pro range, the 9.7-inch model really holds its own. Th...

- Jack Turner, Tech.Co
Firstpost
Firstpost

The new iPad is a commentary on the tablet category as a whole, where not much action is happening anyway. Unlike in the US, where this is being marketed as an education-focussed tablet, I don’t see that proposition working in India.

- Nimish Sawant, Firstpost
BGR
BGR

If you look beyond all the talk about education, you still see a very good tablet. In fact there is no other tablet that comes to mind, if you are on the hunt for something that is more portable than a laptop. While it may not have the magic of an iPad Pro, remember the massive price difference.

- Sambit Satpathy, BGR
The Indian Express
The Indian Express

I would recommend the iPad for children of all ages as a good learning tool, which they can also have fun with. The Pencil is a good add-on, but expensive for just making doodle on notes.

- Nandagopal Rajan, The Indian Express


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Quick view

Screen Size
9.7"

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018)'s screen size is 9.7 inches with 1536 x 2048 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.34 GHz

There is a Apple A10 Fusion Quad core 2.34 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 11 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP, f/2.4 camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
32/128 GB

Internal memory is 32/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
32.4WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 32.4 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad 9.7 (2018) Specs

Overview
Release Date March 27, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 11 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A10 Fusion Quad core 2.34 GHz
Internal Storage 32/128 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.18 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels, f/2.4
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR, Exposure, Burst shot, Slow motion recording (1080p, 120fps)
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection, Self-timer, f/2.2 aperture, HDR, Burst shot, Exposure
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1536 x 2048 pixels
Pixel density 264 pixels
Size 9.7 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 32.4 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Gold, Space Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 23.9 x 16.8 x 0.7 cm (9.4 x 6.6 x 0.3 in)
Weight 469
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Apple iPad 6th Generation, iPad 2018 (9.7-inch)

Wi-Fi only variant has no SIM slot and GPS.

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