The Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular, also known as the Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + 4G or Apple iPad with Retina display, was released in November 2012. As the 4th generation of the iPad series, it brought significant improvements, including a powerful new chipset, a sharper Retina display, and enhanced cellular connectivity with LTE support. This model continued to build on the success of its predecessors, offering users a more robust and versatile tablet experience. Below, we explore the detailed specifications and provide an in-depth review of the Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular.
Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Network Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – A1459/ A1460 CDMA 800 / 1900 / 2100 – A1460 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 – A1459/ A1460 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO – A1460 |
| 4G bands | 4, 17 – A1459 LTE 700 / 850 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 – A1460 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Announced | October 2012 |
| Released | November 2012 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Dimensions | 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm (9.50 x 7.31 x 0.37 in) |
| Weight | 662 g (1.46 lb) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Display Type | IPS LCD |
| Display Size | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~65.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| OS | iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3 |
| Chipset | Apple A6X (32 nm) |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.4 GHz |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX554MP4 (quad-core graphics) |
| Internal Storage | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM, no expandable storage |
| Main Camera | Single: 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 1.2 MP |
| Selfie Camera Features | Face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Selfie Video | 720p@30fps |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | No |
| Radio | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | Li-Po 11560 mAh, non-removable (42.5 Wh) |
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h |
| Talk Time | Up to 9 h |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Models | A1459, A1460, iPad3,5, iPad3,6 |
| Price | About 500 EUR |
| Tests | Display: Contrast ratio: 762:1 (nominal) Loudspeaker: Voice 67dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB Audio quality: Noise -85.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB |
Review of the Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular
Design and Build Quality
The Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular continued the design legacy of its predecessor, maintaining the same dimensions and weight. Measuring 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm and weighing 662 g, the device felt solid and premium in hand. The aluminum unibody design, combined with the scratch-resistant glass and oleophobic coating, provided both durability and elegance.
Available in Black and White, the iPad 4’s design was minimalistic yet sophisticated, making it a versatile device suitable for both professional and personal use.
Display
The standout feature of the iPad 4 was its 9.7-inch Retina display, which boasted a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels and a pixel density of 264 ppi. The Retina display offered incredibly sharp visuals, with vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it ideal for a wide range of activities, from reading to watching movies. The large screen size and high resolution made the iPad 4 a perfect device for content consumption and productivity tasks.
The display was further protected by scratch-resistant glass and an oleophobic coating, which helped reduce fingerprints and smudges, ensuring that the screen remained clear and easy to view.
Performance
Under the hood, the iPad 4 was powered by the Apple A6X chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.4 GHz CPU and quad-core PowerVR SGX554MP4 GPU. This hardware combination provided a significant performance boost, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved graphics performance. The iPad 4 originally ran on iOS 6 but could be upgraded to iOS 10.3, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of apps and features.
With storage options ranging from 16GB to 128GB and 1GB of RAM, the iPad 4 offered ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other content, though it lacked expandable storage, a common limitation in Apple devices.
Camera
The iPad 4 was equipped with a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus, capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. The camera delivered decent quality for a tablet, making it suitable for capturing photos and videos on the go. The front-facing 1.2 MP camera was designed primarily for FaceTime video calls and offered 720p video recording.
While the camera capabilities were not as advanced as those found on smartphones, they were sufficient for basic photography and video communication needs.
Battery Life
One of the iPad 4’s strong points was its battery life, thanks to the non-removable Li-Po 11560 mAh battery. The device provided up to 9 hours of usage on a single charge when using cellular data. The large battery ensured that users could enjoy extended periods of use without worrying about frequent recharging.
Connectivity and LTE Networks
The iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular supported a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE. The device was compatible with multiple carriers, particularly in the US, making it versatile and ideal for users who needed fast and reliable mobile connectivity.
The inclusion of LTE allowed for faster internet speeds, enabling smooth web browsing, video streaming, and app downloads. The iPad 4 also featured Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, and GPS with GLONASS for enhanced location services.
Verdict
The Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular (Late 2012) represented a significant step forward in the evolution of the iPad, offering a stunning Retina display, powerful performance, and enhanced cellular connectivity. Its combination of a high-resolution screen, robust build quality, and long battery life made it a versatile and reliable tablet for both work and play.
While it has since been succeeded by more advanced models, the iPad 4 remains a notable device in Apple’s history, marking the transition to Retina displays and faster mobile connectivity.
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