Apple iPad 2 - More like 1.5

You've probably already heard the news that Apple's iPad 2 is coming in April, so check out our review to see if it's worth getting when it hits our shores.

A Second Impression

Apple's iPad has seen great success since it was launched, with Apple claiming sales of over 15 million units for the original iPad. So far, the iPad 2 looks on track to beat that figure. Demand has been high, while supply has been typically insufficient. Whether Apple has underestimated demand, or whether they are unable to manufacture as many devices as they could is unknown. Speculation is pointless for now, so we're aren't going to be guessing on stock levels.

Instead, we'll be focusing our energy to review the iPad 2, which feels remarkably more like an incremental upgrade to the already "magical" iPad than anything. In fact, it feels more like an "iPad 1.5" than a version 2.0 as it gets some improvements in the form of a new dual-core A5 processor, twice the RAM at 512MB, a thinner frame, better graphics performance and dual cameras. The iPad 2 is also now capable of outputting 1080p video to a TV via a separate HDMI connector, while the original iPad was only capable of 720p video output.

While the above may sound like a substantial upgrade, it's actually stuff that we would have expected in the first version, bar the new A5 processor and improved graphics. Then again, this is the usual life cycle that Apple uses for their products; upgrades that keep a product slightly fresher so that you keep buying. Of course for that to even work, you need a reasonably good initial product which they have pulled of with the iPad and earlier on with the original iPhone, despite their lack of features to make them a definitive leader in both concept and technical specifications. If only more vendors can figure out this magic balance to fatten their coffers.

, the question on everyone's mind on reading this article is two-fold: firstly, if I already own an iPad, should I then upgrade? Secondly, if I don't already have an iPad, should I get the iPad 2 then? Let's take a stab at answering those questions then, shall we?

Peekaboo, I see you, Mr iPad 2 with a leather Smart Cover.

Peekaboo, I see you, Mr iPad 2 with a leather Smart Cover.

iPad, or to iPad 2, That is the Question

Let's start with the obvious aesthetics, the iPad 2 is much thinner compared to the iPad, and surprisingly thinner than the iPhone 4. With the screen remaining the same size, you'll find that there's no change in the overall shape and dimensions of the iPad 2. Weight wise, the iPad 2 is about 50g lighter, but the thinner edge makes carrying it around much easier but note that the edges do dig into your palms and it's an uncomfortable feeling that gets worst the longer you hold the iPad 2.

The iPad 2 is much, much thinner and also weighs in at around 50g lighter than the original.

The iPad 2 is much, much thinner and also weighs in at around 50g lighter than the original.

The new design of the iPad 2 means the previous thick frame is now sloped, so the buttons too have to be adjusted accordingly. The port connector fits in just fine, but because of the new sloped body, some parts are sticking out. If you're an original iPad user, you will also have to get used to the slight difference in using the buttons, but you'll adjust quickly. Lastly, the addition of two new cameras, both front facing and rear facing, are mostly for Apple's new Photo Booth application and . We'll be testing the image quality over on the next page.

Thanks to the new design, the sides are much skinnier with sloping angles to give an illusion of even more slimness.

Thanks to the new design, the sides are much skinnier with sloping angles to give an illusion of even more slimness.

The back camera, power button, lock/mute switch and volume controls of the iPad 2.

The back camera, power button, lock/mute switch and volume controls of the iPad 2.

The dock connector sticks out on the back due to the new sloped design of the chassis.

The dock connector sticks out on the back due to the new sloped design of the chassis.

The camera located on the front for the Photo Booth and FaceTime apps. Also useful to check if something's stuck in between your teeth.

The camera located on the front for the Photo Booth and FaceTime apps. Also useful to check if something's stuck in between your teeth.

Picture of an iPad

Additional testing done by Alvin Soon.

Let's get this out of the way: The iPad 2's camera doesn't take great photos.

To be fair, it probably isn't meant to. Apple is mainly marketing the cameras for FaceTime functionality as even the form factor isn't ideal for photo taking. The back-facing camera's resolution is a mere 960 x 720 pixels, less than one megapixel! Most of the mobile phones on the market today would fare better.

On our standard resolution chart test, the iPad 2's camera managed – at best – 600LPH (lines per picture height) horizontally and vertically. To put that into perspective, the iPhone 4 manages to capture almost twice as much detail, at 1200 x 1000LPH horizontal and vertical and a larger image at 2592 x 1936 pixels (5MP effective). An average compact camera manages around 1400 to 1600LPH. In the following shots below, we give you a comparison of test shots of the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4:-

100% crop of our resolution chart shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our resolution chart shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our resolution chart shot with the iPhone 4. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our resolution chart shot with the iPhone 4. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene shot with the iPhone 4. Because of the iPhone 4's larger resolution the image scales bigger. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene shot with the iPhone 4. Because of the iPhone 4's larger resolution the image scales bigger. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene in dim light, shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene in dim light, shot with the iPad 2. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene in dim light, shot with the iPhone 4. Click for full resolution image.

100% crop of our test scene in dim light, shot with the iPhone 4. Click for full resolution image.

It's not just the iPhone 4's imaging results that beat the iPad 2's, but it's also in other aspects such as ease of use, faster and more accurate auto-focus, and finally the phone is certainly much easier to hold.

While Apple has added cameras to the iPad 2, they're certainly negligible as photographic tools, except for when you just have no other camera around and you really want to nail that shot. Which is just as well, we shudder to imagine crowds on the streets holding 10-inch electronic slabs up to take pictures with. Besides, in this day and age, a mobile phone without a camera is hard to come by and it's very likely anyone and everyone totes a mobile phone.

Performance and Battery Life

Specifications / Tablet
Apple iPad
Apple iPad 2
Processor
Apple A4 (1.0GHz)
Apple Dual-Core A5 (1.0GHz)
Memory
256MB
512MB
Storage
16/32/64GB
16/32/64GB
Video &Display

1024 x 768 pixels,

PowerVR SGX

1024 x 768 pixels,

PowerVR SGX543MP2

Using Geekbench 2, we found that the iPad 2 is significantly faster than the iPad, and this comes as no surprise. Having additional RAM also means that when apps get minimized, they don't get forced to close (if they support the iOS multi-tasking API), which also means your apps feel snappier and load much faster.

Games with support for the iPad 2's newer graphics chip, the PowerVR SGX543MP2, show a much improved performance boost. Infinity Blade for example, runs with better environments, lighting and anti-aliasing. It also loaded much faster, 11 seconds compared to the 21 seconds it took for the original iPad to finish loading before the play button showed up. Games like Real Racing 2 HD also feature enhanced graphics effects, and also allow the iPad 2 to output the game to a 1080p screen.

Infinity Blade on the iPad 1. Click for a larger picture.

Infinity Blade on the iPad 1. Click for a larger picture.

Infinity Blade on the iPad 2. Note the better textures, lighting and AA. Click for larger picture.

Infinity Blade on the iPad 2. Note the better textures, lighting and AA. Click for larger picture.

If you really must have numbers for graphics processing, feel free to pop over to AnandTech, they have access to a developer version of GLBenchmark 2.0, which gives you a better idea on the numbers. Suffice to say, the performance from the new graphics chip is pretty good, but unless your game supports it, chances are you won't see the pretty graphics in action.



As far as battery performance goes, many other reviews have mentioned that the battery life is about equal to the original iPad, and we found this to be pretty accurate in our own testing. The iPad 2 may be slimmer, but battery performance is still top notch. One charge is more than enough to last a full day, comparable to that of the original iPad. We don't have enough time with our borrowed iPad 2 to do a proper battery test, we'll update with results once we get the unit back again for more testing. Stay tuned for more updates next week.

The iPad 1.5

If you already have the iPad, given our time with the new iteration, we suggest giving the iPad 2 a miss. Sure it's faster, but that's speed you may or may not really need (given how fast the original iPad already is anyhow). If you don't have an iPad, and want to get Apple's shiny new tablet, then by all means, feel free to fork out the cash for it.

Original iPad users should definitely wait for the iPad 3, which should offer a significant reason to upgrade; but if you must have the iPad 2, then well, it's your cash and we can't stop you either. Rumours that the iPad 3 may make an appearance this year remain just that, rumours. So until otherwise we hear a credible source of information, expect to see a new model around the same time next year.

If you've never been an Apple user, but are willing to try it out, the iPad 2 is a great entry point. Otherwise you'll probably be avoiding this device like the plague, just like any other Apple product. That said, other tablets like the and with their other own operating systems are coming soon, so holding off to see what they offer before you commit is probably a good idea if you're sitting on the fence.

If you don't have an iPad, by all means, get the iPad 2. If you already have an iPad, then just wait till the iPad 3 comes out.

If you don't have an iPad, by all means, get the iPad 2. If you already have an iPad, then just wait till the iPad 3 comes out.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Share this article