How to distinguish a Chinese iPad from the original and find out the iPad model? What are the differences between iPad mini (2, Retina) models - comparison of characteristics What are the differences between ipad mini 1.2.3
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| CDMA | CDMA 800 MHz CDMA 1900 MHz | - |
| CDMA2000 | 1xEV-DO Rev. A 1xEV-DO Rev. B | - |
| UMTS | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1700/2100 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE | LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz | LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2000 MHz (B34) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE 1500 (B11) LTE 700 MHz (B12) LTE 700 MHz (B14) LTE 800 MHz (B18) LTE 800 MHz (B19) LTE 1500 (B21) LTE 1900+ MHz (B25) LTE 800 MHz (B26) LTE 700 MHz de (B29) LTE 2300 MHz (B30) LTE 1700/2100 MHz (B66) LTE 600 MHz (B71) |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
| Operating system (OS) | iOS 7.0.3 iOS 9 | iOS 12 |
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) | Apple A7 APL0698 | Apple A12 Bionic APL1W81 |
| Technological process | 28 nm | 7 nm |
| Processor (CPU) | Apple Cyclone ARMv8 | 2x 2.5 GHz Vortex, 4x 1.59 GHz Tempest |
| Processor size | 64 bit | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture | ARMv8-A | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) | 64 kB + 64 kB | 128 kB + 128 kB |
| Level 2 cache (L2) | 1024 kB 1 MB | 8192 kB 8 MB |
| Level 3 cache (L3) | 4096 kB 4 MB | - |
| Number of processor cores | 2 | 6 |
| CPU clock speed | 1300 MHz | 2500 MHz |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | PowerVR G6430 | - |
| Number of GPU cores | 4 | 4 |
| GPU clock speed | 200 MHz | 1100 MHz |
| Volume random access memory(RAM) | 1 GB | 3 GB |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) | LPDDR3 | LPDDR4X |
| Number of RAM channels | - | Dual channel |
| M7 motion coprocessor | M12 motion coprocessor Neural engine (8-core design) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
| Built-in memory capacity | 16 GB 32 GB 64 GB 128 GB | 64 GB 256 GB |
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology | IPS | IPS |
| Diagonal | 7.9in 200.66 mm 20.07 cm | 7.9in 200.66 mm 20.07 cm |
| Width | 6.32in 160.53 mm 16.05 cm | 6.32in 160.53 mm 16.05 cm |
| Height | 4.74in 120.4 mm 12.04 cm | 4.74in 120.4 mm 12.04 cm |
| Aspect Ratio | 1.333:1 4:3 | 1.333:1 4:3 |
| Permission | 2048 x 1536 pixels | 2048 x 1536 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 324 ppi 127ppcm | 324 ppi 127ppcm |
| Color depth | 24 bit 16777216 flowers | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area | 71.97 % | 70.79 % |
| Other characteristics | Capacitive Multi-touch | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
LED-backlit Retina display | Retina display True Tone display 500 cd/m² Antireflective coating Oleophobic (lipophobic) coating Wide Color display (P3) |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.
| Sensor type | CMOS BSI | CMOS BSI |
| Svetlosila | f/2.4 | f/2.4 |
| Number of optical elements (lenses) | - | 5 |
| Image Resolution | 2592 x 1936 pixels 5.02 MP | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP |
| Video resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) | 30fps | 30fps |
| Characteristics | Autofocus Digital image stabilization Geographical tags HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode Macro mode RAW |
| - | Hybrid IR filter Noise reduction Sapphire crystal glass lens cover 1080p@120fps |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
) have already been the topic of our articles. Today, at the request of our readers, we will talk about the development of Apple tablets and the differences between them. After reading this article, you will be able to freely answer the question: “What is the difference between the iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display) and the iPad 3 and other Apple tablet models.”
In contact with
On this moment Apple is positioning only three models iPad, as relevant and officially available: , iPad 2 and , and the “kopeck piece” is only available in a Wi-Fi modification with 16 GB of memory. On the secondary market and on the Internet you can find all generations of iPad in any modifications.
iPad original
First iPad(or iPad original) was a pilot and revolutionary project for Apple at the same time. It was presented at a presentation in San Francisco on January 27, 2010. As it turned out later, the idea of releasing a tablet is not new and has been exciting the brain for quite some time. And so, his dream came true and the world saw the first Apple tablet. The pilot project was based on the fact that not all the developments were applied in the first iPad, as if Apple were afraid of a negative reaction from users and did not make a too expensive and technological device. 
Despite this, the “Apple magic” worked once again and tablets were swept off store shelves. The first pancake didn’t turn out to be a big deal, but critics blasphemed the first iPad for its weak processor, lack of camera, and all the other limitations of iOS.
iPad 2
Having worked on the mistakes, on March 2, 2011, Apple announced iPad 2. The model received two cameras and became a little lighter and thinner than its predecessor, and its improved version iPad 2 (Rev A) with a more advanced processor, it is still Apple's best-selling tablet. 
iPad 3 (The New iPad)
On March 7, 2012, a real revolution awaited the iPad line in the form of The New iPad. The creators specifically did not mark the tablet with the number “3”, explaining this by the fact that new model— rethinking the entire line. became thicker than its predecessor, however, this made it possible to hide a more capacious battery in its body. This was done for the stunning Retina display. The filling has also improved The New iPad.
iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display)
The happy owners of the third iPad, after all, just half a year later, on October 23, 2012, Apple released . It became an exact copy of its predecessor with a new connector and slightly more advanced hardware internals.
It was presented at the same time. For the first time, Apple reduced the screen size from 9.7″ to 7.9″ and dressed the tablet in a matte black shell. This is how Cupertino entered the budget “tablet” market. iPad Mini Mostly criticized for the lack of a retina display. Analysts suggest that the smaller first-generation tablet is a tentative step into a new niche, and the next model will already boast . 
Half a year later, without much fanfare, Apple announced (all previous models only have modifications of 16, 32 or 64 GB).
Separately, it is worth mentioning the 3G/4G (radio) module. All versions of iPad are available in versions with a 3G module, they are called cellular, and without it. It is quite easy to distinguish this modification by the black plastic roof on the rear panel and a small slot for sim cards on the side. 
Such modifications are more expensive and have the ability to access the Internet via networks mobile operators. Of course, this requires a SIM card and costs money, but here lies the second difference between the models, which is not advertised by Apple. All iPads with a 3G module have a built-in GPS module, which is missing in the Wi-Fi model. This allows cellular tablet versions determine location without an Internet connection and use applications for navigation and geolocation. Wi-Fi versions of the iPad can only do this when connected to the Internet. 
In order to appearance define model iPad use a simple algorithm. With its help you can always determine which model it is. iPad in front of you. If you have never held in your hands iPad 2 or iPad 3, then a little difficulty may arise in identifying them. If both tablets are nearby, the difference is obvious, but when only one sample is visible, you will have to take a closer look. In other cases, you can easily distinguish one version of the tablet from another.
In conclusion, we present a comparative table with the characteristics of all Apple tablets.
| iPad | iPad 2 | iPad 2(Rev 2) | iPad 3(The New iPad) | iPad 4 (With Retina Display) | iPad Mini | |
| Model name |
A1219 (Wi-Fi) A1337 (GSM) |
A1460 (GSM+CDMA) |
A1455 (GSM+CDMA) |
|||
| Generation name | ||||||
| Start of sales |
April 2010 |
November 2012 February 2013 (128 GB) |
November 2012 |
|||
| End of sales |
November 2012 |
|||||
| Case colors(back/front) |
Metal/black |
black or white |
black or white |
black or white |
black or white |
Metal or black/ black or white |
| Required versioniTunes | ||||||
| Minimum versioniOS |
6.0.1 others |
6.0.1 others |
||||
| MaximumversioniOS | ||||||
| Battery (mAh) | ||||||
| Length (mm) | ||||||
| Width (mm) | ||||||
| Thickness (mm) | ||||||
| Weight (g) | ||||||
| CPU |
Proprietary architecture |
|||||
| Frequency (MHz) | ||||||
| RAM | ||||||
| Display resolution | ||||||
| Pixels per inch | ||||||
| 2 G(GSM/GPRS/Edge) | ||||||
|
3G (UMTS/ HSDPA/HSUPA) |
||||||
|
4G (LTE) |
+* (13/700, 17/700) |
|||||
|
Glonass |
||||||
| Wi-Fi b/g/n | ||||||
| Bluetooth | ||||||
| Accelerometer | ||||||
| Gyroscope | ||||||
| Light sensor | ||||||
| Rear camera(Mpix) | ||||||
| Front camera(Mpix) | ||||||
| Access Point Mode | ||||||
| AirPlay Mirroring | ||||||
| Connector | ||||||
| Siri |
* - only models with GSM (cellular) module
** - CDMA models only
At the September presentation, Apple, among other things, announced a new version of the iPad mini - the fourth. However, she received the least attention: both Apple representatives and the press focused on iPad Pro and the new generation of iPhone. In principle, this is understandable: there is nothing truly innovative in the iPad mini 4. But there are much more differences from the iPad mini 3 than the iPad mini 3 had compared to the iPad mini 2. A year ago, Apple only equipped the Retina version of its mini-tablet with a fingerprint scanner and a new body color. Now both the hardware and the body itself have been updated - this is not counting the software improvements.
Apparently, due to the fact that the iPad mini 4 does not have any technological innovations, Apple was able to release the tablet earlier than the other new products announced on September 9. Moreover, iPad mini 4 immediately went on sale in many countries, including Russia (while the official start date iPhone sales 6s and 6s Plus are still unknown to us; we were not included in the first wave of sales). Thus, today we have the opportunity to get acquainted with the iPad mini 4 and understand how it differs from other current iPad models.
It is curious that Apple currently does not have the iPad mini 3 in its product range, while the iPad mini 2 is still available for purchase, and its price has been reduced. At the time of writing, the price for the iPad mini 2 in the Russian Apple online store was 22,490 rubles for the minimum version (16 GB, without a cellular module), while for the iPad mini 4 they are already asking 32,990. The difference is significant, more than ten thousand. And our task is to find out how much this difference is justified.
Let's look at specifications new items
Specifications Apple iPad mini 4
- Apple A8 SoC 1.5 GHz 64 bit (2 cores, Typhoon architecture based on ARMv8-A)
- GPU PowerVR GX6450
- Apple M8 motion coprocessor including GPS, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope and compass
- RAM 2 GB
- Flash memory 16/64/128 GB
- No memory card support
- Operating system iOS 9.0
- Touch display IPS, 7.9″, 2048×1536 (326 ppi), capacitive, multi-touch
- Cameras: front (1.2 MP, 720p video via FaceTime) and rear (8 MP, 1080p video)
- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz; MIMO support)
- Cellular (optional): UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), LTE Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Touch ID fingerprint scanner
- 3.5mm stereo headset jack, Lightning dock connector
- Lithium polymer battery 19.1 Wh
- A-GPS (version with cellular module)
- Dimensions 203×135×6.1 mm
- Weight 299 g (manufacturer's stated weight of the version without the cellular module) / 307 g (our measurement of the version with the cellular module)
For clarity, let’s compare the characteristics of the new product with the previous generation iPad mini (we will consider the second and third versions as one generation) and with iPad Air 2.
| iPad mini 2/3 | iPad Air 2 | ||
| Screen | IPS, 7.9″, 2048×1536 (326 ppi) | IPS, 9.7″, 2048×1536 (264 ppi) | |
| SoC (processor) | Apple A8 @1.5 GHz (2 cores, 64 bits, Typhoon architecture based on ARMv8-A) + M8 coprocessor | Apple A7 @1.3 GHz (2 Cyclone cores, 64 bits) | Apple A8X @1.5 GHz (3 cores, 64 bits, Typhoon architecture, based on ARMv8-A) + M8 coprocessor |
| GPU | PowerVR GX6450 | PowerVR G6430 | PowerVR GXA6850 |
| Flash memory | 16 / 64 / 128 GB | 16 / 64 / 128 GB | 16 / 64 / 128 GB |
| Connectors | Lightning, 3.5mm headphone jack | Lightning, 3.5mm headphone jack | |
| Memory card support | No | No | No |
| RAM | 2 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Cameras | front (1.2 MP) and rear (5 MP; video 1080p) | front (1.2 MP, 720p video via FaceTime) and rear (8 MP, 1080p video shooting) | |
| Internet | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n MIMO (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), optional 3G / 4G LTE | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), optional 3G / 4G LTE | |
| Battery capacity (Wh) | 19,1 | 24,3 | 27,62 |
| operating system | Apple iOS 9.0 | Apple iOS 7/8 (upgrade to iOS 9.0 available) | Apple iOS 8.1 (upgrade to iOS 9.0 available) |
| Dimensions (mm)* | 203×135×6.1 | 200×134×7.5 | 240×170×6.1 |
| Weight (g)** | 307 | 339 | 451 |
| Average price*** | T-12859393 | T-11153500 | T-11153497 |
*according to manufacturer information
** version with cellular module, our measurement
*** for the version with a minimum of flash memory and communication capabilities
| iPad mini 4 retail deals | |
| iPad mini 4 16 GB Wi-Fi - T-12859393 | iPad mini 4 16 GB Wi-Fi + 4G - T-12859394 |
| L-12859393-5 | L-12859394-5 |
| iPad mini 4 64 GB Wi-Fi - T-12859391 | iPad mini 4 64 GB Wi-Fi + 4G - T-12859396 |
| L-12859391-5 | L-12859396-5 |
| iPad mini 4 128 GB Wi-Fi - T-12859392 | iPad mini 4 128 GB Wi-Fi + 4G - T-12859395 |
| L-12859392-5 | L-12859395-5 |
So what should you pay attention to? Firstly, on the SoC. The iPad mini 4 has an Apple A8 installed, and compared to the processor of the same model in the iPhone 6, this is an overclocked version (1.5 GHz versus 1.4 GHz). However, this is not an Apple A8X, as in the iPad Air 2. The differences are in the GPU and the number of CPU cores (three for the iPad Air 2 and two for the iPad mini 4).
As for the comparison with the iPad mini 2 and 3, it is worth paying attention, of course, to the Apple A8 SoC instead of the Apple A7 and the presence of 2 GB of RAM instead of 1 GB. However, the battery new iPad mini is less capacious than the old one. Obviously, Apple expects that battery life will be maintained due to the greater energy efficiency of the new SoC. Whether it is true or not, we will check in our testing.
Packaging and accessories
The packaging of the iPad mini 4 is traditional for Apple tablets and is practically no different from the packaging of the previous generation tablet.
As for the packaging, there are no surprises here either: leaflets, charger (10 W, 2.1 A, 5.1 V), Lightning cable, stickers and a key for removing the SIM card cradle.
Design
Externally, the iPad mini 4 is not much different from its predecessor: all the buttons remain in the same places, and the appearance of the front panel has also not changed. However, when you take the iPad mini 4 in your hand, you immediately feel the difference: the body has become thinner by almost one and a half millimeters and lighter by about 10% (the exact figure depends on the versions being compared - with or without a cellular module), and this can be noticed even without a “face-to-face” » comparisons (provided, of course, that you have used iPad mini before).
The remaining design differences are so insignificant and of such little significance that they are worth mentioning only for the sake of accuracy and completeness of description. So, the speaker grilles located on the bottom edge are now one row of holes, rather than two. At the same time, the number of holes in a single row is also smaller, but the holes themselves are larger.
This is unlikely to have any effect on the sound quality. In general, we are not inclined to attribute the sound of the iPad mini 4 speakers to either the advantages or disadvantages of the tablet. The advantage here is fairly intelligible speech and relatively good (as far as possible under such conditions) vocal transmission, but the disadvantage is the location of the speakers: it turns out that the sound comes from only one side of the device. We are not talking about the obvious (missing low frequencies coupled with slightly rattling mids) - this is the problem with almost all tablets and smartphones.
On the back surface, despite the brushed aluminum, fingerprints are visible. This is especially true for the mirrored apple, which almost always looks dirty (when using the tablet every day). On the rest of the surface area, the prints are visible at an angle, but they are not noticeable and can be removed quite easily.
There are two microphone holes next to the camera. The iPad mini 3 had one microphone and it was located in the center of the top edge. Now the iPad mini is completely similar to the iPad Air 2 in design and placement of microphones and speakers. But there was no flash near the camera. But there is a fingerprint sensor located in the Home button and inherited from the iPad mini 3.
In general, we can say that the iPad mini 4 is simply a smaller iPad Air 2. By the way, the body thickness of these two tablets is identical. As well as the placement of absolutely all elements.
Screen
The declared screen parameters of the iPad mini 4 do not differ from those of its predecessor: it is an IPS matrix with a resolution of 2048×1536 and a screen diagonal of 7.9″. However, the fact that the key parameters are identical does not mean that the screens are exactly the same in all their properties. There really are differences! Detailed testing of the screen was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Below is his conclusion.
The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are much better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). At the same time, some tint of the screen surface, which appears at large angles, gives reason to assume that in the case of the iPad mini 4 some kind of anti-reflective coating is used. For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off (on the left - Nexus 7, on the right - iPad mini 4, then in all comparative photographs the tested tablet is located below the Nexus 7:
The screen of the iPad mini 4 is noticeably darker (brightness according to photographs is 66 versus 111 for the Nexus 7). The ghosting of reflected objects in the iPad mini 4 screen is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen (more specifically, between the outer glass and the surface of the LCD matrix) (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of strong external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, but still worse than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much more easily and appear at a slower rate than with regular glass.
With manual brightness control and when the white field was displayed in full screen, the maximum brightness value was about 430 cd/m², the minimum was 4.8 cd/m². The maximum brightness is not very high, however, given the excellent anti-glare properties, readability even on a sunny day outdoors will be at a decent level. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on light sensors (there are two of them, they are located in the upper corners (in portrait orientation), masked with a white coating on the inside of the glass, and the readings of the sensor that produces the larger value are taken into account). IN automatic mode When external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider - the user uses it to set the desired brightness level for the current conditions. If, in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 400 lux), the slider is moved to maximum (we will assume that it is 100%), then in complete darkness, the automatic brightness adjustment function reduces the brightness to 4.8 cd/m² (a bit dark, but something visible), in an office illuminated by artificial light (about 400 lux) the brightness increases to 440 cd/m² (very bright), in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) is set to the same 440 cd/m² (as needed). The brightness slider in the “office” is at 50% - the values are as follows: 8.3, 110-130 and 440 cd/m² (normal), at 0% - 4.8, 4.8 and 31 cd/m² (dark, but a trend expected). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works more or less adequately, and it is possible to adjust the nature of the brightness change to the user’s requirements, although there are some not obvious features in its operation. At any brightness level, there is virtually no backlight modulation, so there is no screen flickering.
IN this tablet An IPS type matrix is used. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:
For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.
The screen has good viewing angles without significant color shift even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen and without inverting shades. For comparison, here are photographs in which the same images are displayed on the iPad mini 4 and Nexus 7 screens, with the screen brightness initially set to approximately 200 cd/m² (across the white field in full screen, on the iPad mini 4 this corresponds to a value of 65% brightness at use third party programs), and the color balance on the camera is forcibly switched to 6500 K. There is a white field perpendicular to the screens:
Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field. And a test picture:
Color balance varies slightly, color saturation is normal. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:
It can be seen that the colors did not change much on both screens and the contrast remained high level. And a white field:
The brightness of the screens at an angle decreased (by at least 5 times, based on the difference in shutter speed), but in the case of the iPad mini 4 the drop in brightness is less. When deviated diagonally, the black field is lightened weakly and acquires a violet or red-violet hue. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in perpendicular to the plane screen direction is approximately the same!):
And from another angle:
When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is not ideal:
The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is normal - about 760:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 21 ms (12 ms on + 9 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes the same 21 ms in total (but 9 ms on + 12 ms off). This unusual ratio of response times is explained by the fact that for transitions between halftones there is a slight acceleration of the matrix - at the fronts of some transitions bursts of brightness are clearly visible:
This does not lead to noticeable artifacts, but the speed of the matrix increases. The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 1.70, which is lower than the standard value of 2.2. In this case, the real gamma curve strongly deviates from the power-law dependence:
Typically, such a deviation is associated with the work of dynamically adjusting the brightness of the backlight in accordance with the nature of the displayed image, but in this case we did not detect any signs of it.
Color gamut is almost equal to sRGB:
Apparently, the matrix filters mix the components with each other to a moderate extent. The spectra confirm this:
As a result, visually the colors have a natural saturation. The balance of shades on the gray scale is good, since the color temperature is slightly higher than the standard 6500 K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is less than 10, which is considered an acceptable indicator for a consumer device. At the same time, color temperature and ΔE change little from hue to hue - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment of color balance. (The darkest areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
Let's summarize. The screen does not have a very high maximum brightness, but has excellent anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors without any problems, even on a sunny summer day. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. It is also possible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works quite adequately. The advantages of the screen include an effective oleophobic coating, the absence of air gaps in the layers of the screen and flicker, high black stability to deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen plane, as well as sRGB color gamut and good color balance. There are no significant shortcomings. This is perhaps the best display among small screen tablets at the moment.
Summing up the testing of the iPad mini 4 screen, we can note that a big step forward has been made here compared to the iPad mini 3: firstly, this is getting rid of the air gap between the matrix and the glass; secondly, improved color gamut and anti-glare properties. But you need to understand that if the iPad mini 4 screen is damaged, replacing it will be significantly more expensive than if it were an iPad mini 3.
Performance
iPad mini 4 runs on the Apple A8 SoC, created using a 20 nm process technology. The single-chip system includes a dual-core 64-bit CPU with Typhoon architecture based on ARMv8-A, PowerVR GX6450 GPU and Apple M8 motion coprocessor. The difference between the Apple M8 and the Apple M7, used in previous generations of iPad mini, is the presence of a barometer.
As for the SoC as a whole, we have already seen it in the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, but there the CPU operated at a lower frequency. On top of that, the amount of RAM was half as much.
Let's compare the performance of the iPad mini 4 with the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and iPhone 6 Plus. iOS 9.0 was installed on the iPad mini 4, iOS 9.1 beta on the iPad Air 2, and iOS 8.0 on the remaining devices.
Let's start with browser tests: SunSpider 1.0, Octane Benchmark and Kraken Benchmark. We will also add to our standard set a new browser benchmark, recommended by the creators of SunSpider as a replacement for it.
Based on browser tests, it is clear that the iPad mini 4 outperforms both its immediate predecessor and the iPhone 6 Plus, and the gap is significant (apparently, it’s a matter of RAM). But the absolute leader is still the iPad Air 2, although its superiority is far from significant. It is unlikely to be noticeable during actual use.
Now let's see how the iPad mini 4 performs in Geekbench 3, a multi-platform benchmark that measures CPU and RAM performance.
There is a similar picture here. The situation is the same, but the gap between the iPad mini 4 and the iPhone 6 Plus is already minimal. But the difference with the iPad Air 2 in multi-core mode is quite noticeable.
The last group of benchmarks is dedicated to testing GPU performance. We used 3DMark, GFXBench 3.1, as well as the new Basemark Metal benchmark, created specifically for devices with Metal technology. In addition, we launched GFXBench Metal (a benchmark option optimized for Metal devices) on iPad mini 4. We present the results separated by a slash with the results of the regular version (3.1). For some unknown reason, GFXBench did not launch on the iPad Air 2 in any version - perhaps this is due to the beta version of iOS. So in the table below you see the results for the iPad Air 2 that were at the time of our first testing of this tablet (respectively, on iOS 8).
Let us remind you that Offscreen tests involve displaying a 1080p image on the screen, regardless of the actual screen resolution. And tests without Offscreen mean that the image is displayed in exactly the resolution that matches the device screen resolution. That is, Offscreen tests are indicative from the point of view of the abstract performance of the SoC, and real tests are indicative from the point of view of the comfort of the game on a specific device.
| Apple iPad mini 4 (Apple A8) | Apple iPad Air 2 (Apple A8X) | Apple iPad mini 3 (Apple A7) | Apple iPhone 6 Plus (Apple A8) |
|
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan (Onscreen) | 15.2 / 16.0 fps | 24.5 fps | 8.9 fps | 18.6 fps |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan (1080p Offscreen) | 21.5 / 22.5 fps | 32.8 fps | 13.2 fps | 31.2 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (Onscreen) | 37.0 / 38.2 fps | 52.5 fps | 22.7 fps | 44.7 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (1080p Offscreen) | 47.5 / 50.2 fps | 70.6 fps | 28.5 fps | 52.1 fps |
So, the iPad mini 4 demonstrates clearly better results than the previous generation tablet - in particular, the T-Rex scene now runs at a frequency above 30 fps, and therefore, a game with this level of graphics will be comfortable and uncomfortable on the iPad mini 4 - on the iPad mini 3. At the same time, the iPad Air 2 is still far ahead. So it remains the best gaming solution. As for the results of the iPad mini 4 in comparison with the iPhone 6 Plus, we must take into account that the screen resolution of the iPhone 6 Plus is lower than that of the iPad mini 4, so in Onscreen mode the smartphone has slightly better results, although the GPU is the same.
Next test: 3DMark. Here we are only interested in the Unlimited mode, because in other modes these devices exceed the maximum.
And again the picture is very predictable - the only difference is that the gap between the iPad mini 4 and the iPad mini 3 is not as great here as in GFXBench.
Finally - Basemark Metal. Since we do not have results for the iPad mini 3 and iPhone 6 Plus, we present only data for the iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2.
When the test scene was displayed, there was a frames per second counter in the upper left corner. In the case of the iPad mini 4 it showed 5 fps, in the case of the iPad Air 2 - 9-10 fps.
An interesting result that once again proves that the iPad Air 2 can still be considered an unsurpassed gaming solution among mobile devices Apple (well, at least until the iPad Pro came out). In general, testing confirmed our assumptions: iPad mini 4 is noticeably faster than its predecessor and slightly faster than iPhone 6 Plus (although this will not be felt in games), but slower than the iPad Air 2. However, all this (and the difference between the iPad mini different generations, and the difference between iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4) will be felt only in two years, not earlier - when games focused on fundamentally more powerful SoCs appear.
Playing video
To test the output of video files on the screen of the device itself, we used a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Methodology for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”). Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps). In the tests, we used a standard video player, launched via direct links to files. The test results are summarized in the table:
| File | Uniformity | Passes |
| 4K/30p | Great | No |
| 4K/25p | Great | No |
| 4K/24p | Great | No |
| 1080/60p | Great | No |
| 1080/50p | Great | No |
| 1080/30p | Great | No |
| 1080/25p | Great | No |
| 1080/24p | Great | No |
| 720/60p | Great | No |
| 720/50p | Great | No |
| 720/30p | Great | No |
| 720/25p | Great | No |
| 720/24p | Great | No |
Note: If in both columns Uniformity And Passes Green ratings are given, this means that, most likely, when watching films, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and frame skipping will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. Red marks indicate possible problems related to the playback of the corresponding files.
According to the frame output criterion, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the device itself is nowhere better, since frames (or groups of frames) are always (under the conditions of this test) output with uniform alternation of intervals and without skipping frames. When playing video files with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p) on the tablet screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the wide border of the screen, however, with inevitable interpolation, which somewhat reduces clarity. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the actual range of the video file.
Autonomous operation and heating
We spent detailed tests battery life of both tablets. In them, both new iPads showed excellent results. Thus, 3D games can be played on them for more than five and a half hours. This is significantly better than the Nvidia Shield Tablet, although the latter is positioned specifically as a gaming tablet. We emphasize that we checked the battery life in games both using the Epic Citadel test scene (it is on the Unreal engine, used in games such as Infinity Blade III, Dark Meadow and Horn), and using real game- Asphalt 8.
Time full charge tablet battery from the kit charger is three hours. Too much!
As for the ergonomics of the iPad mini 4, the Apple tablet remained barely warm while playing Asphalt 8 and running through the Epic Citadel scene. This is a great result!
Below is a thermal image of the rear surface obtained after 10 minutes of running the battery test in the GFXBenchmark program:
It can be seen that the heating is slightly more localized on the right side of the device, which apparently corresponds to the location of the SoC chip. According to the heat chamber, the maximum heating was 38 degrees (at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees), which is not very much.
Work in LTE networks
The tablet will work in almost all LTE networks. That is, you can safely buy a tablet in another country and at the same time be sure that with us it will be fully functional in terms of communication capabilities.
LTE reception is reliable. Speed measurements using the iOS application Speedtest.net (using an MTS SIM card) showed not the most outstanding results for receiving data, but quite decent results for downloading. However, the results may greatly depend on the operator.
We also note that the iPad supports hot insertion and SIM card replacement (without rebooting). And one more detail: iPad mini 4 supports the Apple SIM virtual SIM card standard (however, this is only relevant for the USA for now).
Camera
iPad mini 4 is equipped with two cameras - a front one with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels and a rear one with a resolution of 8 megapixels (the first time such a resolution has been found in an Apple tablet!). The camera parameters of the iPad mini 4 are identical to the iPad Air 2, and compared to the iPad mini 3, the resolution of the main camera has increased (from 5 to 8 megapixels). Let's see what the iPad mini 4's main camera can do! Anton Soloviev photographed the stand and commented on the photos from the street.
As we have repeatedly noted, the camera in a tablet is nothing more than a bonus, the quality of which, however, is taken very seriously by some manufacturers. And some - not so much. In this case, we can conclude that the tablet camera is not bad and will cope with many scenarios, but it still falls a little short of the iPhone 6 camera.
Just for fun, we decided to compare the iPad's camera with the iPhone 6's under the harshest conditions. As a result, we were once again convinced that it is better not to shoot at night with both cameras, although iPhone camera 6 still works better with noise. The iPad Mini 4 camera is contraindicated for video shooting in low light, since even in slight twilight or shadows it is noticeably noisy. In good lighting, in most cases it will do no worse than the iPhone 6.
conclusions
The iPad mini 4 is perhaps the best compact tablet available today. Yes, there were no revolutionary changes here, but Apple has made many small improvements. From the obvious - a thinner and lighter body (and you really feel it), a more powerful SoC, twice as much RAM, a camera with a higher resolution and capabilities that the iPad mini 3 did not have. From the less obvious and revealed only during thorough testing - higher quality screen without an air gap and decent autonomous operation. In general, there are practically no shortcomings. It's just a shame that the camera still doesn't have a flash, and the performance isn't up to par with the iPad Air 2.
At the time of the start of sales of the iPad mini 4 in Russia, for the minimum version (without a cellular module, 16 GB of flash memory) they are asking 32,990 rubles. At the same time, the iPad mini 2 remains in Apple’s assortment, and its price is about a third lower: from 22,490 rubles. Therefore, despite all the advantages of the iPad mini 4, from the point of view of practical considerations, the iPad mini 2 seems to be the optimal solution. All the same, we will not be able to feel the increased performance in real applications (existing games will run equally well on both tablets), and still not everyone uses the camera on a tablet as actively as on smartphones - especially in the absence of a flash. As a result, it turns out that you are overpaying 10,500 rubles for one and a half millimeters of thickness, a fingerprint sensor and a slightly better screen. If the difference was at least five thousand, then it would make sense to think about it. In the meantime, the iPad mini 4 looks like a fashion solution, aimed at enthusiastic perfectionists and those users for whom the difference of ten thousand rubles is not fundamental.
At the moment we can distinguish as many as 10 different iPads (iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 2 new, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 3). On the used tablet market, you can accordingly find any of these models. How to distinguish them from each other? This is what we will talk about now.
How to distinguish an iPad tablet from a fake?
The first question that a beginner faces. Now the Chinese have learned to copy any technology so accurately that a scenario is quite likely in which an ignorant person can allegedly buy an iPad, but in reality it will turn out to be some kind of aPad on Android.
A sealed iPad can be identified by its branded box, which looks something like this. Naturally, the box of a completely new device will be sealed in film.
On one of the edges it will say either iPad or iPad mini. On the other there is a branded bitten apple or a cloud icon - iCloud.
If you hold the tablet in your hands, then it’s even easier to distinguish. Turn it backside down. There should also be an apple there in the very center. And below is information about the iPad. Below serial number devices.
Turn on your tablet. Operating system You won't confuse iOS with anything.
And like this (note the outdated icon design):
How to distinguish the first iPad (1st generation)
The first iPad is very easy to distinguish externally, even by feel, in comparison with iPads of other generations. It looks more massive and the edges are straighter. But what to do if there are no other models at hand? Turn the iPad backwards. Only the first iPad model did not have a camera. Only the iPad 1 has speakers located at the bottom rather than on the back.
Also worth a special mention is the black plastic insert on the back of the iPad. If it is at the top, then you have an iPad with 3G; if it is not there, then you have a regular iPad with Wi-Fi in your hands.
How to distinguish iPad 2
The iPad has more rounded edges on the body. It becomes thinner and lighter. There is no speaker below now. The speaker is located on the back wall of the tablet.
Different variations can be distinguished from each other by model code. This code can be found on the back of the iPad at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1396”:
A1395 – iPad 2 Wi-Fi model
A1396 – GSM model iPad 2
A1397 – CDMA model iPad 2
But the problem with the iPad 2 is different. Another one came out in the spring of 2012 iPad version 2, which features a newer processor and slightly more economical power consumption. Moreover, it should be remembered that for this new version iPad 2 needs its own firmware. In the article with firmware, I mark it as iPad 2 New.
How to distinguish the old iPad 2 (2011) from the new iPad 2 (2012)
Visually they are no different.
You can distinguish this way - go to Settings->General->About this device->Diagnostics and use->Data
.
Open any report from there - look for the line at the top Hardware Model. If iPad 2.4, then you have exactly the same iPad from 2012, that is, New.
How to distinguish iPad 3 (The New iPad)
It is very difficult to visually distinguish iPad 2 from iPad 3 from a photograph. Try:
If you turn on the iPad 3, you will immediately feel the difference with previous generations of iPad, looking closely at the magnificent Retina screen. Look at the system fonts. If you don't see pixels, then this is the same Retina screen.
How to determine the iPad model? Exactly the same - according to the model code. This code can be found on the back of the iPad at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1416”:
A1416 – iPad 3 Wi-Fi model
A1430 – GSM model iPad 3
A1403 – CDMA model iPad 3
How to identify an iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display, the latest iPad model)
If you turned on the iPad 4, you will immediately feel the difference from the iPad 1 and iPad 2 when looking up close at the magnificent Retina screen. Look at the system fonts. If you don't see pixels, then this is the same Retina screen. Despite the fact that the iPad 4 is called the iPad with Retina display, Retina appeared in the iPad 3. It is believed that the iPad 4 is simply a polished version of the iPad 3.
iPad 4 and iPad 3 are visually similar as two peas in a pod. The most important visual difference is the small input for Lightning charging. It was with the iPad 4 that the Lightning input became standard on all subsequent models.
How to find out which iPad model? Yes, everything is the same according to the model code. This code can be found on the back of the iPad at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1458”
A1458 – iPad 4 Wi-Fi model
A1459 – Cellular model iPad 4
A1460 – CDMA model of iPad 4
How to distinguish iPad Air
The iPad Air is externally distinguished by a narrow side edge with the same screen size of 9.7 inches.
Also noteworthy are the separated volume buttons on the side of the iPad.
Well, the weight of the device compared to the iPad 4 decreased by 200 grams.
How to find out which iPad model? This code can be found on the back of the iPad at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1474”
A1474 – iPad Air Wi-Fi model
A1475 – LTE model of iPad Air
A1476 – LTE – model aimed at Asia.
A1460 – CDMA model of iPad Air
How to distinguish iPad Air 2
iPad Air 2 is very similar to the first Air modification, but there are still differences. The tablet has become even thinner and lighter. But you won’t weigh the device. Let's try to look at the differences that are more noticeable to the naked eye.
Look at the side of the tablet. The screen lock button has disappeared. Now there are only volume buttons. Characteristic holes also appeared on the side surface and near the camera eye.
Well, the golden color (in addition to “space gray” and “silver”) is a clear sign of the iPad Air 2.
The iPad Air 2 also features a fingerprint scanner. Visually, it is distinguished by a steel outline around the Home button. Also in the iOS settings, the “Password” item is now called “Touch iD and password”.
How to find out what model iPad Air 2 is? This code can be found on the back of the iPad at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1566”. The iPad Air 2 has only two modifications.
A1566 – Wi-Fi model of iPad Air 2
A1567 – LTE model of iPad Air
How to distinguish iPad Mini
iPad Mini is easy to distinguish from other iPads due to its small dimensions (screen only 7 inches) and weight of 308 grams.
Below on iPad photo Mini compared to iPad 4.
Also, the iPad Mini's speakers have moved downwards. Much like it was with iPad 1. The volume buttons on the iPad Mini are separated from each other (in regular iPads, the “+” and “-” buttons are merged together). The iPad Mini of all generations, like the iPad 4, has a narrow Lightning charging port.
The different iPad Mini variations can be distinguished from each other by their model code. This code can be found on the back of the iPad Mini at the very bottom, where all the small print is engraved. Find lines like “Model A1432”:
A1432 – iPad Mini Wi-Fi model
A1454 – Cellular model iPad Mini
A1455 – CDMA model of iPad Mini
How to distinguish iPad Mini with Retina Display (iPad Mini 2)
In the fall of 2013, Apple made the dream of millions of fans come true and made the iPad Mini with a retina screen. Externally, the iPad Mini 2 is no different from the iPad Mini. You can only distinguish visually on the screen. iPad screen Mini 2 looks much sharper and it is almost impossible to notice the pixels in the picture with the naked eye.
The surest way to identify an iPad Mini 2 is to look at the model code.
A1489 – iPad Mini 2 Wi-Fi model
A1490 – LTE model of iPad Mini 2
How to distinguish iPad Mini 3
iPad Mini 3 is a slightly improved version of iPad Mini 2. It is difficult to distinguish them, but it is possible. The most important difference is the Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Visually, it is distinguished by a steel outline around the Home button. Also in the iOS settings, the “Password” item is now called “Touch iD and password”.
Well, the golden color in the “mini” is a clear ghost of the iPad Mini 3.
The surest way to identify an iPad Mini 3 is to look at the model code.
A1599 – iPad Mini 3 Wi-Fi model
A1600 – LTE model of iPad Mini 3
A1601 – LTE model for Southeast Asian markets (sometimes called iPad Mini 3 China)
How to distinguish an iPad by the number of gigabytes
1. We look at the back surface of the iPad. At the bottom, where the information is engraved, you can find the capacity of the iPad (16, 32, 64, 128 gigabytes).
2. This information is also contained in the system. Opening Settings -> General -> About this device . See item Capacity.
It is worth remembering that the number displayed there is slightly less than 16,32,64,128. For example, an iPad with 32 gigabytes will say 28.5. Why is this happening? 32 gigabytes means 32,000,000,000 bytes. Divide by 1024 three times to get the actual number of gigabytes. It comes out to approximately 29.8 gigabytes. We subtract 1.3 gigabytes somewhere for the system and table file system. We get 28.5 gigabytes available to the user.
To distinguish the iPad Mini, Pro or Air models, you need to know the external features of each version. The number printed on the back cover will also help you determine which model you have in your hands. For example, if you see a number, you can be sure that you are holding an iPad mini. You can check this information on the Apple website.
iPad
The first Apple tablet went on sale in 2010. Visually, they are the most angular - the streamlined shape came only in the second generation. The front panel of the iPad 1 is exclusively black. On back cover can be one of two numbers:
- A1219 – with Wi-Fi.
- A1337 – with Wi-Fi and 3G.
The first model of the tablet does not have cameras, but the model with 3G support has a tray for a SIM card and an insert for the antenna.
- A1395 – Wi-Fi.
- A1396 – GSM.
- A1397 – CDMA.
The version with GSM has a SIM card tray on the right side. The developers moved the speaker to the back wall of the device. The next two generations of the iPad received this design, so if the question arises of how to recognize the model, you will have to rely on the number.
The iPad 3 cannot be externally disconnected from the iPad 2 until you turn on the device - the updated version is provided by the Retina display. To avoid mistakes, look at the numbers on the back cover:
- A1416 - Wi-Fi.
- A1430 – GSM.
- A1403 – CDMA.
iPad 4 continues the design traditions of the second and third versions, but presents itself as a modified port for connecting to a PC or laptop. The 4th model uses a small Lightning connector.
The fifth iPad, released in 2017, has virtually nothing to do with the previous four, because it comes in the body of the first iPad Air. The fifth model can be distinguished from the Air only by the presence of TouchID and the absence of hardware buttons for volume control.
mini series
The first iPad mini can be distinguished from other models by its size. In addition, all the buttons on it are made of metal, which is also a noticeable feature. There are three versions:
- A1453 - Wi-Fi.
- A1454 - Cellular for the USA.
- A1455 - Global Cellular with CDMA support.
The second generation of the iPad mini tablet model is no different in appearance from the first, so you have to focus on the screen (the Retina screen is used for the first time in the series) and the numbers on the back panel:
- A1489 - Wi-Fi.
- A1490 – LTE.
The difference between the second and third generations is the addition of Touch ID and a new gold color scheme. Plus numbers:
- A1599 - Wi-Fi.
- A1600 – LTE, sold in most countries of the world.
- A1601 – LTE, sold in Southeast Asia.
iPad mini 4 received a slightly longer and slim body than it was with its predecessors. Plus the device does not have a hardware button to turn it on silent mode– volume control keys only. There are two models - A1538 with Wi-Fi and A1550 with LTE.
Air Series
In the iPad Air, users saw a long-awaited update to the design that was boring during the release of the iPad 2, 3 and 4. It looks a bit like an enlarged version of the mini: the frames around the display have become smaller, as well as the thickness of the device itself. At the bottom there are paired speakers.
There are three varieties:
- A1474 - Wi-Fi.
- A1475 - LTE.
- A1476 - TD-LTE, aimed at Southeast Asia.
The latest tablet in the series, called Air 2, has a Touch ID scanner on Home button, the silent mode switch disappeared, the design of the speakers changed, and the thickness decreased. Apple abandoned further production of the Air series, using the same design in the iPad 5, as we said above.
Pro Series
The Air line was chronologically replaced by the Pro series. The first model, with a 12.9-inch diagonal and incredible performance for a tablet, is noticeably different from anything Apple has done before. The difference is added by the appearance of a new Smart Connector port for connecting a compatible keyboard.
A little later, a smaller version with a diagonal of 9.7 inches appeared. Outwardly, it is indistinguishable from the iPad Air 2, but the protruding lens and dual flash give it away as a representative of a different line.
In 2017, two more versions appeared - 10.5 inches and the second generation 12.9 inches. To distinguish the entire range of tablets from each other, look at the numbers. First generation 12.9 inches:
- A1584 - Wi-Fi (32, 128 or 256 GB of memory).
- A1652 - LTE (128 or 256 GB of memory).
Second generation 12.9 inches:
- A1670.
- A1671 – Wi-Fi + Cellular.
Pro 10.5 inches will be numbered A1701 and A1709 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). If you see numbers A1673, A1674 or A1675 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), then you know that this is an iPad Pro 9.7 inches.