CNN
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Apple has just released the latest version of the standard iPad, which is increasing the power very well, and the new iPad Mini, which is receiving a massive overhaul with attractive color options and some significant updates under the hood.
Wondering which new Apple tablet is right for you? Here’s how they both stack up.
The two new iPads are available to pre-order now and will be released on September 24, with the iPad starting at $ 329 with 64GB of storage and the iPad Mini starting at $ 499 with 64GB of storage ‘storage.
Both iPads can be upgraded to 256GB of storage for those who need more space ($ 479 for the iPad; $ 649 for the iPad Mini) and can be set up with optional mobile connectivity (from 459 dollars for the iPad and $ 649 for the iPad Mini).
On the outside, the latest version of the $ 329 Apple classic looks pretty unchanged. But it’s getting a noticeable increase in speed that can make it even better for the office or classroom, not to mention one of the best features of the iPad Pro.
Now the iPad will feature Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, which according to the company should provide 20% better performance than the previous generation model. Apple also says you’ll get three times the speed of a best-selling Chromebook and it’s six times faster than the most popular Android tablet. We found the eighth-generation iPad to be very reliable for running multiple programs at once and jumping to FaceTimes while using apps, and we found that its benchmarks (including a nine-hour battery life) outperformed the seventh-generation model. . a decent margin. However, we did see a certain slowdown in doing heavier tasks, such as video editing, so we’re curious to see if the new model’s processor will make the iPad base a more reliable machine for creative work. serious.
There are some notable camera updates here, the most significant of which is the arrival of Center Stage. This feature, which we loved in the latest version of the iPad Pro, allows your tablet camera to keep you framed while moving while making FaceTime calls or Zoom and Webex meetings. Combined with the new ultra-large 12-megapixel front-facing camera on the tablet, the new iPad could be one of the best tablets available for video conferencing and remote learning. Keep in mind that while the front-camera experience will be similar to the iPad Pro, you won’t get the LiDAR sensor on this latest tablet, which is a depth-sensitive camera that lets you do things like accurately measure real world objects. or enjoy better performance for augmented reality programs.
Other updates include a TrueTone screen, which allows the screen to automatically match its color temperature in the room where it is located for the best viewing experience. This feature is usually found in Apple’s most expensive tablets and laptops, and is one that has been useful to us over the years. The board will continue to arrive in space gray and silver, and since the design of the new iPad is relatively unchanged, it will work with all existing iPad accessories, including Apple’s smart keyboard.
For those who own an iPad released in recent years, this new update is largely the same as a better processor, updated screen and new camera tricks. However, if you see that your older iPad is starting to suffer during everyday use (or none), this new model looks like a good entry point that promises fast performance and, above all, good performance capabilities. video conferencing.
The iPad Mini has just gotten its biggest update so far, with a sleek new look that takes more than a few tracks from the latest iPad Air models, while including some promising tech updates to its small frame.
Apple’s smaller iPad now includes a range of eye-catching, vibrant colors, including purple, pink, a golden Starlight, and space gray. Like the iPad Air, it has a Touch ID sensor built into the top power button that allows the screen to be almost completely borderless.
Speaking of the screen, the screen of the new 8.3-inch Mini now features Liquid Retina, which is Apple’s patented version on a traditional LCD screen that packs the pixels tightly to create images that are dense in detail and that they are clear at the serrated edges or at the blur. We’ve found this type of screen to deliver especially sharp text and images on the more premium iPad Air and we’re looking forward to seeing how it fits into this smaller whiteboard.
In terms of power, Apple says the latest iPad Mini can offer up to 40% more CPU performance and up to 80% more graphics performance than the previous generation, which sounds promising for things like multitasking split screen or play demanding games like consoles. the Apple Arcade.
One of the most significant updates to the iPad Mini is the inclusion of USB-C, the now ubiquitous charging port that allows for fast charging and fast data transfers with compatible accessories. It is another feature that escapes the more expensive Air and Pro. The Mini also supports 5G, which means that if you live in an area with adequate wireless coverage, you’ll be able to enjoy faster speeds than usual when using a moving cell model.
The Mini’s cameras reach up to 12 megapixels, with the front camera offering the Center Stage feature that allows the camera to automatically follow you as you scroll through FaceTime calls and Zoom meetings. The new tablet also features enhanced speakers that allow stereo sound in landscape mode, which should provide a good boost to compulsive viewing sessions.
The new iPad and iPad Mini seem like compelling upgrades to Apple’s most affordable tablets that may even serve as worthy iPad Pro alternatives for some. Both tablets are likely to be some of the fastest and both have some very amazing camera tricks (including Center Stage) that will make them especially great for FaceTimes and work calls.
If you haven’t delved into the iPad family yet, the new $ 329 iPad seems like the best entry point so far. And if you want to pay for a more attractive, compact design, the $ 499 iPad Mini may work for you. We’ll be testing Apple’s two new tablets in the near future, but in the meantime, both models are now available for pre-order and will arrive starting September 24th.