Apple iPad (2012) - Three Steps Forward, One Step Back

It Changes The Way You Look at Tablets (Literally) 

2011 was the year of the Android tablets, a time when manufacturers mounted a full-scale assault on Apple and its iPads with tablets of different form factors. ASUS brought innovative concepts to the table with products like the Eee Pad Slider that comes with a slide-up keyboard and the Eee Pad Transformer which features an optional keyboard docking station. Sony also came up with an unconventional design for its wedged-shaped Tablet S. On the other end, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab 10.1 which is thinner (8.6mm) and lighter (565g) than the Apple iPad 2. 

Despite these engineering feats and innovations, the Android camp failed to match up to what the iPad 2 had to offer when it comes to smooth user experience and a robust apps ecosystem. There is without a doubt that the iPad 2 continued to be the leader of the pack throughout 2011, clinching the Best Tablet Brand and Best Tablet in our Reader's Choice and Editor's Choice respectively of our HWM + HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2012 mega event that pays homage to the best of computing and consumer electronics segments.

Now in its third generation, the Apple iPad plans to extend its lead over the others with its high resolution 2,048 x 1,536 pixels display, an A5X dual-core processor with a quad-core graphics processor unit, larger battery capacity and a better 5-megapixel rear camera module. Having covered all the key features and interesting news surrounding this new iPad, we took time to really get cozy with it and detail you our verdict in this review.

Same Old Brand New iPad

To be frank, we weren't surprised that the latest Apple iPad followed the footsteps of its smaller sibling, the iPhone 4S by retaining almost the same look as its predecessor. By now, consumers should know that Apple will stick to a formula that works until proven otherwise. The only physical differences between the new iPad and the iPad 2 are its weight and thickness. We put that to the test by asking people if they were able to differentiate between the new iPad and iPad 2:

While few will mind the minimal increase in thickness, most users might be concerned with the 49g weight increase of the new iPad. At 662g, the third generation iPad does feels a bit heftier especially when you hold it in one hand as compared to the iPad 2. For those who are very particular about the weight of a tablet, here's how the new iPad fares against the Android camp of slates: 

• ASUS Transformer Pad 300 (635g)
  
   
• ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity 700 (586g)
  
   
• ASUS Transformer Pad Prime (586g)
  
   
• Motorola Xoom 2 (3G) (608g)
  
   
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (583g)
  
   
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (588g)
  
   
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1(565g)
  
   
• Sony Tablet S (598g)
  
   
• Toshiba Excite X10 (558g) (*also the world's thinnest 10.1-inch tablet at 7.7mm)

If you are wondering why the new iPad is thicker, it is due to the fact that it comes with a larger battery capacity, mainly to power the high resolution 9.7-inch Retina display. Nevertheless, the new iPad still feels very sturdy due to the aluminum body. 

Debut of iOS 5.1

Launched together with the new iPad is iOS 5.1, the latest update to Apple's mobile operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices. According to Apple, iOS 5.1 offers new features such as: 

• Japanese language support for Siri (more languages such as Chinese and Korean will be supported by Siri in the coming months). Unfortunately, Siri is still unavailable on the new iPad, but it gets a voice dictation feature.
  
   
• Camera shortcut on the lock screen of the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)
  
   
• Face detection for Camera app
  
   

Voice dictation

If you are hoping for Apple's intelligent digital voice assistant, Siri to make an appearance on the new iPad, you will be disappointed to know that it remains as an exclusive feature on the iPhone 4S.

The new iPad will however be equipped with voice dictation, which allows you to send email, search the Internet or update Facebook status via, well, your voice. One limitation of the feature is that the voice-to-text translation is not real-time in nature; you have to tap on the microphone icon for the iPad to translate whatever you have said into text.

So how accurate is the voice dictation on the new iPad? We did some testing to see how it fares with our accent. An Android 4.0 tablet with a similar voice dictation feature is tossed in as a comparison. The text to dictate? “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

Camera Shortcut

The camera shortcut on the lock screen is nothing new. We have seen this feature on the HTC Sense 3.0 and later versions. Most recently, Android 4.0 has also adopted it, as you can see on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and ASUS Transformer Pad Prime.

Unfortunately, you will not get the camera shortcut on the lock screen of the new iPad. In its place, you will get a feature called Picture Frame which turns it into an animated picture frame on the lock screen. You have a variety of Settings to play around with such as transitions, shuffling, duration of each photo and which albums, photos or events to show.

Face Detection

A long overdue feature, face detection finally arrives on iOS devices including the new iPad. With face detection enabled, the camera can locate the people in the shot and adjusts the focus accordingly. This will be handy in taking group photos such as gatherings. To demonstrate this, here's a photo of the iPad's screen as it points on our monitor detecting our teammate's faces from our blog section on the website.

Introduction of Retina Display-Ready Apps

An improved display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels on the new iPad means that some developers have to upgrade their apps and take advantage of the higher resolution. To drum up the iPad's Retina Display, announced along with the iPad is a list of Retina-ready apps on the iTunes store - you can check out the list of the apps here.

As it takes a substantial amount of time to upgrade existing apps with larger images and better resolution, do check back with the iTunes store for new additions and updates.

The graphics quality boost in apps does have its trade-off - the updated apps see its file size increased up to five times. For example, iMovie has increased from a mere 70MB to 404MB while Pages has tripled from 95MB to 269MB. It is no wonder that graphics-intensive apps such as Infinity Blade II have file sizes as large as 791MB.

Considering the much larger app file sizes, consumers may have to reconsider their purchases if they are planning to get the most affordable 16GB model. We recommend taking up a higher storage capacity as it's definitely a safer bet for anyone who avidly games, watches movies and listens to music on the iPad. Even if one doesn't see themselves indulging in many apps initially, we reckon that they would eventually succumb to it. Bearing in mind that there's no expandable storage option unlike many Android tablets, it is even more essential to make the right purchasing choice.

Dual-Core Processor with Quad-Core Graphics 

Apple's focus on delivering great user experience has resulted in the company sidelining some specifications of the new iPad such as the clock speed and memory size. While Apple mentioned that the new iPad runs on a dual-core A5X processor, it is also known to underclock the chipset as seen in the iPhone 4S. Fortunately, the guys at TechRepublic did a teardown of the new iPad and reported their findings: 

• Apple Dual-Core A5X 1.0 GHz processor manufactured by Samsung 
  
   
• 1GB RAM
  
   
• PowerVR SGX543MP4+ GPU (found in the Sony PS Vita as well)
  
   
• 11,560 mAh Li-ion polymer battery 

To assess the performance of the new iPad, we used Geekbench 2 which deploys different benchmarks to measure the performance of the processor and memory. Here's a brief description of each benchmark section provided by Primate Labs: 

• Integer performance: a high integer scores indicates good overall performance. 
  
   
• Floating point performance: floating point performance is critical in video games, digital content creation and high-performance computing applications.
  
   
• Memory performance: it measures the performance of the memory hardware (which includes the motherboard and the chipset along with the memory itself) and memory management functions provided by the operating system 
  
   
• Stream performance: memory bandwidth is assessed in this section. Software working with large amounts of data relies on good memory bandwidth performance to keep the processor busy. 

Based on the scores above, the new iPad showed only marginal improvements over the iPad 2. This is not surprising since both devices run on the same dual-core Cortex A9 processor. In case you are wondering about the "X' in the A5X chipset, it is referring to the new quad-core graphics engine and not to any speed bumps in the main processor itself.

The new iPad also scored a win over its predecessor in the Memory and Stream sections as it has double the RAM at 1GB. The amount of RAM is one of the many factors in determining how fast a device loads and display graphics-intensive apps or web pages. More importantly, it also determines how smoothly the device is able to handle multiple apps running in the background.

During our time with the new iPad, we could hardly find any fault with its overall performance. The iPad felt smooth and fluid in its operation. Switching from one app to another was effortless. Even with multiple apps in the background, the iPad breezed through without a hint of stutter.

Web Browsing 

There is a marked improvement in the SunSpider Javascript benchmark where the new iPad easily surpasses the competition to take the crown amongst the latest tablets we've tested. Number-crunching aside, the web browsing experience on the new iPad was great with web pages loading quickly, with pinch-to-zoom working almost flawlessly. Do note that Flash-enabled websites are still forbidden grounds for iOS devices in general.

Multimedia and Battery Performance 

If there is one feature that defines the new iPad, it will be its display resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. Similar to how the iPhone 4 and the 4S squeezed 960 x 640 pixels onto its 3.5-inch display, Apple basically upped the ante for tablets by implementing the same strategy on the new iPad.

No existing tablet in the market comes close to having the 3.1 million pixels that is now on the display of the new iPad. As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words. Below is a comparison between the screen resolution of the new iPad and the iPad 2:

While some critics may argue that: a) it is pointless to pack so many pixels into a 9.7-inch display and b) the difference is negligible during normal usage conditions, the marked improvement in display resolution is more apparent after using the new iPad for a period of time. We agree that the differences aren't exactly as evident as day and night, but let us explain.

Users will appreciate the high definition display on the new iPad when browsing web pages with fine graphics or go through albums of high-resolution photos. Under these two situations, the visual differences are quickly noticeable even when you view the iPad at an arm's length, especially for text which appears much sharper.

You can check out our detailed article on the Retina display of the new iPad, where we will show you the differences in display clarity and quality between three tablets - the Apple iPad 2, the Apple iPad (2012) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. Or, check out this video that sheds some light on how much of a difference it makes to the naked eye:

The high resolution display of the new iPad impressed us with its razor sharp text, rich colors and great clarity. We must admit: the experience of browsing through photos and watching videos on the iPad was enjoyable and the tablet is without a doubt, in a league of its own.

Imaging Performance

One of the weaker areas of the iPad 2 is its rear camera which produces images of sub-par quality. Apple has presumably taken customer feedback on this and gave the new iPad a boost with a 5-megapixel camera module.

Apparently, it is equipped with the same advanced optics (backside-illuminated sensor, five-element lens, IR filter and image signal processor) as the iPhone 4S. Hence, we were very eager to find out if the new iPad can throw out any surprises in our imaging test. 

Armed with an improved camera sensor, the new iPad delivers images with decent quality. Most details are captured with low noise levels. Colors and contrast are relatively good. Even though the new iPad falls short of the standard set by the ASUS Transformer Pad Prime, it is not a cause for concern as the idea of using a tablet to take pictures hasn't taken off well with consumers yet (though it may be convenient for some).

Nonetheless, we might see imaging capabilities of tablets turning into a key point of contention among tablet makers in the near future.

Battery Performance 

Our standard battery test includes the following parameters: 

• Looping a 720p video with screen brightness and volume at 100%
  
   
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity turned on 
  
   
• Constant data streaming through email and Twitter

The decision to go with a high resolution display has definitely taken its toll on the battery performance of the new iPad, an area it once reigned supreme. Regrettably, the new iPad lasted four hours shorter than the iPad 2 with a rather dismal battery life of five hours and 25 minutes.

The combination of a 9.7-inch display with double the resolution, twice as many LED illuminating bars,1GB RAM and a quad-core graphics engine proved to be too overwhelming for the new iPad's larger 11,560mAh battery to handle. As a result of the lower-than-expected battery life and a slightly bulkier chassis, the new iPad also fared badly in the Portability Index. 

We also encountered the same issue as many users around the world have already reported: the left side of the iPad gets warm after an extended period of usage. The source of the heat is likely to be from the Retina display itself. As there are four times as many pixels on the display, more backlight LEDs are required to maintain the same screen brightness as the iPad 2.

In fact, DisplayMate's analysis revealed that there are an estimated 72 to 82 backlight LEDs on the Retina display, up from 36 on the iPad 2. This not only resulted in more heat emitted from the LEDs, it also meant that more power is required to power them. DisplayMate estimated the backlight power for the new iPad to be two and a half times more than the iPad 2 for the same screen brightness. They also reported that the battery on the new iPad drained 20% faster than the iPad 2 at maximum brightness, which coincided with our battery test findings.

Apple claims that the new iPad is rated at 10 hours with web surfing on Wi-Fi, video watching or audio playback. Is it possible to attain that mileage? We managed to do so when we reduced the brightness and volume to 50%. This is probably the level that an average user would adopt, though it lacks the intensive battering the iPad will take. The final result saw an 11-hour up-time for the iPad, which did match what Apple said. We'll be conducting more tests on the battery drain aspect in an upcoming article.

Ultimately for now, we will be looking at how the iPad fares against the results from previous tablets based on the same intensive parameters. Needless to say, the iPad is no longer the most power efficient tablet.

Increased Charging Time

Due to the large battery capacity of the new iPad, it is not surprising that the new iPad will take a longer time to charge. Based on our tests, it took about an hour to charge up the iPad by 20%, which translated to an estimated five hours of charging time. In view of the time needed for a full charge, we recommend users to charge it overnight. The current batch of third party battery chargers for the iPads may not provide extra battery juice to extend its mileage significantly. 

Another word of caution: Consumer Reports claimed that the new iPad will not recharge under heavy loads. To test its claims, we ran Epic Citadel, an app that showcases the technical capabilities of the Unreal Engine 3, on the new iPad. We conducted the test on the iPad when it was charging from 2% with all the parameters of our battery test. The battery level dropped to 1% but rose to 2% after a while. After that, it remained at 2% for quite a while.

To be safe, avoid processor-intensive tasks such as gaming on the iPad when it is charging. 

Depending on how you view it, the lack of LTE support in Singapore may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as LTE-capable devices are known for their low battery mileage. If the frequency bands are supported here, we may be looking at an even shorter battery life for the new iPad running on 4G.

Does the New iPad Make the Cut?

Apple's third generation iPad might look quite similar to the iPad 2, but it comes with a handful of upgrades.

Thumbs Up

Off the bat, the biggest feature of the new iPad is its Retina display which presents an eye-popping resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. There is no doubt that it is probably the best mobile screen in the market right now, although the benefits are noticeable with sharper text and high quality images. The resolution on the screen is plenty dense, which gives you a greater visual experience with multimedia content.

It is not difficult to explain why Apple continues to use a dual-core processor in the new iPad - the chipset is still able to keep up with whatever you throw at it and is in no slouch when pitted against the Android tablets touting quad-core processors. The only upgrade to the A5X processor is the inclusion of the PowerVR SGX543MP4 which boosted its graphics performance, turning it into a premium multimedia device. 

Another aspect with a notable improvement is the rear camera, where Apple has thrown in a 5-megapixel camera with the same advanced optics as the iPhone 4S. The new iPad now produces images of better quality although we suspect not many people would use it to take photos. You're more likely to use your mobile phone or stand alone camera than a tablet. The latter just comes in handy if you need to snap something when the device is already in your hands.

Taking into account the boost in graphics performance and pixel density of the display, it is natural that more juice is needed to power the new iPad. This is where the 11,560mAh battery comes into the picture. With 70% more capacity, the battery adds about 49g and 0.6mm thickness to the new iPad. Considering that the new iPad still managed to deliver decent battery up-time under typical usage conditions, we actually do not mind the slight increase in thickness and weight.

Thumbs Down

The only flaws/missteps we can find with the new iPad is the fact that it has slipped behind the competition in two key areas, the design/build quality and battery performance. Even though the new iPad has a solid build quality, other tablet makers are delivering products with comparable standards. Take the ASUS Transformer Pad Prime for example. Its aluminium chassis with metallic spun finish and a superior battery performance (under our grueling battery test conditions) can give the new iPad a run for its money. If you were to turn off the displays of the latest iPad and the iPad 2, there's practically no chance of telling them apart. While there's nothing wrong in the design, there's one less push factor for the general public to upgrade their existing iPads who would love to flaunt a more refined design if Apple did make some aesthetic changes.

Another major grip is Its battery performance which is somewhat an enigma. The intensive battery test didn't let the iPad off easy, and to be sure, it has lost its foothold as a power sipping tablet. If we don't push it to the highest limit at 100% volume and brightness, it is still quite capable, with more than a day's worth of up-time delivered. However when comparing it on even-footing, it has lost its edge and is in competition with other capable tablets from the competition.

There's actually one other, but it's not directly Apple's fault and that's the lack of LTE support in this region for the new iPad. There is no one consolidated frequency band of operation for LTE technology across various countries and that leaves device manufacturers in a tussle on what kind of radio modules to fit in their devices. So while the new iPad has LTE support, it is only compatible in the US for now. For the local market, the tablet will instead support HSPA+ speeds in our networks, which isn't too bad.

Verdict

To be fair, no tablet in the Android camp is able to match the overall lure of the iPad; a slick and stable mobile OS, the support of the biggest app store and most importantly, competitive price points. With almost complete control of the supply chain, Apple is able to maintain the prices of its iPads, starting from SS$658. The 64GB (Wi-Fi + 4G) model costs S$1,088, which is just a tad more expensive than some Android tablets such as the S$978 Motorola Xoom 2 (3G) and the S$848 Sony Tablet P. 

For consumers who are planning to get their first tablet, the new Apple iPad is perhaps the best choice. If not, the 16GB iPad 2, which sees a price drop to S$528 (Wi-Fi) and S$698 (Wi-Fi + 3G), are also very reasonable buys. If Apple's closed system approach doesn't seem appealing to them, they can always consider the S$899 ASUS Transformer Pad Prime.

However, we cannot say the same for current iPad 2 owners;  the only significant difference is the improved display resolution. Upgrading to the new iPad might not be worth the amount of money they are forking out. Nonetheless, first-generation iPad owners should go for the upgrade if they have the budget to spare. If you are one of them, do take the opportunity to read our take on whether you should get the new iPad.

To end this off, if you are planning to get the new iPad along with a telco's two-year data package, we highly recommend you to read up on our detailed analysis of the different data plans offered by the three telcos for a good gauge of the total cost over the next two years.

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