iPad 4 unboxing and hardware hands-on

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Half a year later and a generation ahead, the iPad 4 is here and while it's the same in almost every discernible way to the previous iPad 3, there are a few things absolutely worth discerning. First, it's got the new Lightning connector. Second, it's got a 720p FaceTime HD camera on the front. Third, it's got an all new, all powerful Apple A6X processor inside (and the forthcoming LTE version will have an all new, all international LTE chipset to boot). But can you judge that particular book by this cover? Watch!

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

7 Comments
  • Nice! Maybe Apple will freshen up the design language of the full-sized iPad next year. It's possible that Apple could be planning this: 2012: iPad 3rd-gen / 4th-gen in very similar enclosures.
    2013: iPad 5th-gen with updated enclosure (chamfering, slate) and A7X 32-bit chip.
    2014: All-new iPad 6th-gen with IGZO/OLED screen, A8X 64-bit chip, thinner form factor. It may not be possible for Apple to make the big iPad thinner until there is an alternative to the LCD screen. IGZO conductors are far more efficient and more transparent than amorphous silicon, and OLED would eliminate the need for separate LED backlighting. Those two technologies plus further AX chip advancement could enable Apple to use even smaller batteries, hence a slimmer form factor.
  • You called the lightning port a "thunderbolt" port.. just FYI :)
  • Love my job, since I've been bringing in $82h… I sit at home, music playing while I work in front of my new iMac that I got now that I'm making it online… www.fab17.com
  • I'm holding out for the iPad 5 in March!
  • Doubt it would be March... more likely next Fall, around a year from now.
  • better not be a year from now!! Apple needs to be sure not to get behind! A new iPad every 6 months would keep them at the top!!
  • you guys got to loose that corny music. and get some better music lol. its corny to me just expressing my opinion. thats all.