iPad Q&A
Update Published November 8, 2019
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What are all the differences between the ipad tablet 2, máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen, và the original ipad tablet mini (1st Gen)? Would one of these models meet my needs or should I buy a newer iPad?
Please note that the ipad tablet 2, máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen, and original máy tính bảng ipad mini all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated with the latest on iOS tư vấn and more & can be quite useful for anyone on a tight budget who is considering one of these older ipad tablet models, whether new or used.
You may also be interested in the differences between the Original ipad tablet mini and iPad mini 2, the ipad tablet 4 và Original máy tính bảng ipad Air, or the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 models.
There are numerous differences between the ipad tablet 2 -- the máy tính bảng ipad 2 (Wi-Fi), (Wi-Fi/GSM/A-GPS), và (Wi-Fi/CDMA/A-GPS) -- the ipad tablet 4th ren models -- the ipad tablet 4th gen (Wi-Fi Only), (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS), and (Wi-Fi/Verizon và Sprint/GPS) -- & the original ipad mini models -- the ipad tablet mini (Wi-Fi Only), (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS), & (Wi-Fi/Verizon và Sprint/GPS).
As the máy tính bảng ipad mini models are physically smaller -- just 7.87 inches tall & 5.3 inches wide -- they are easy to lớn differentiate from the larger ipad tablet 2 & iPad 4th ren models.
As the ipad 2 và iPad 4th gene models essentially are the same dimensions -- 9.5 inches tall and 7.31 inches wide -- with similar thickness & weight, it definitely is easy khổng lồ not notice the differences unless you have a keen eye & pay close attention, particularly if the devices are turned off.
However, there are important differences between the similar looking máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen và the older máy tính bảng ipad 2 as well as the máy tính bảng ipad mini. Specifically, there are differences in the displays, connectivity, identification, performance, cameras, software support, & cellular capabilities as well as dimensions, weight, and price.
External Differences
The máy tính bảng ipad 2, ipad 4th Gen, & original ipad mini models are available with either a black or trắng glass front & an aluminum back (with a plastic area for configurations with cellular data connectivity) and all have multitouch, glossy IPS LED-backlit displays, but the quality and resolution varies considerably.
The ipad tablet 4th gen models have a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 (264 ppi) "Retina" Display that is much higher resolution & better unique than the "non-Retina" displays in the other two devices. By contrast, the ipad 2 has a 9.7-inch 1024x768 (132 ppi) display & the original ipad mini has a 7.9-inch 1024x768 (163 ppi) display.
All have a built-in microphone, support system-wide video mirroring và up lớn 1080p video out, and tư vấn a version of the magnetic "Smart Cover" (the ipad 2 và iPad 4th gene are the same, but naturally the máy tính bảng ipad mini uses a smaller one). The ipad 2 and iPad 4th gen have a mono speaker, but interestingly, the ipad tablet mini has a better quality stereo speaker setup. The ipad tablet mini models were the first in the máy tính bảng ipad line to have stereo speakers.
Wired connectivity -- for power nguồn as well as computer connectivity, if desired -- also is a major point of differentiation. The máy tính bảng ipad 2 uses the "traditional" 30-pin "Dock Connector" port whereas the ipad 4th Gen and iPad mini models have a smaller, rectangular "Lightning" port that is faster and easier lớn use but not compatible with the earlier standard.
Camera Differences
All of these devices have both front và rear mounted cameras, but the quality is different.
The máy tính bảng ipad 2 has a VGA chất lượng "FaceTime" front mounted camera & a 0.7 megapixel rear camera that shoots stills và is capable of recording 720p video. The ipad 4th Gen and original máy tính bảng ipad mini both have a front-mounted "FaceTime HD" camera capable of shooting 1.2 megapixel stills & 720p video and a rear-mounted 5 megapixel "iSight" camera capable of shooting both stills & 1080p video.
Identification Differences
When side-by-side the máy tính bảng ipad 2 & iPad 4th gen models can be identified easily by the Dock Connector và Lightning ports, respectively, on the bottom of each. However, it is easy khổng lồ confuse the original máy tính bảng ipad mini and iPad 2 with other models, and it is not possible lớn visually differentiate between the cellular capable models in each line, either.
Consequently, model Numbers typically are one of the best methods of external identification. Model numbers are provided in very small type on the back of each device toward the bottom.
Specifically, the ipad tablet 2, ipad 4th Gen, & original ipad tablet mini model numbers are as follows:
iPad mã sản phẩm | Model No. |
iPad 2 (Wi-Fi Only) | A1395 |
iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/GSM/GPS) | A1396 |
iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/CDMA/GPS) | A1397 |
iPad 2 (Wi-Fi Only, iPad2,4) | A1395 |
iPad 4th gen (Wi-Fi Only) | A1458 |
iPad 4th ren (Wi-Fi/AT&T) | A1459 |
iPad 4th gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint) | A1460 |
iPad mini 1st gene (Wi-Fi Only) | A1432 |
iPad mini 1st ren (Wi-Fi/AT&T) | A1454 |
iPad mini 1st gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint) | A1455 |
All máy tính bảng ipad models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app & pressing General > About và scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the original ipad tablet mini with 16 GB of storage in trắng for Verizon is MD543LL/A.
Everyi.com"s Ultimate iLookup feature -- available for quả táo 5 or later -- can identify exact máy tính bảng ipad models by the "Model" as well as other identifiers including its Serial Number.
iOS tư vấn Differences
The ipad 2 originally shipped with ios 4.3 whereas the máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen và original máy tính bảng ipad mini were introduced with tiện ích ios 6. The máy tính bảng ipad 2 is capable of running ios 6, but it does not support Siri with ios 6 or otherwise.
All three devices also support iOS 7 khổng lồ some degree. Each supports the basic quả táo 7 features -- Control Center, Notification Center, & Multitasking, as well as Safari & iTunes Radio -- but the ipad tablet 2 supports no other features.
By contrast, the ipad tablet 4th Gen & iPad mini are both fully supported by ios 7, with the exception of the "Panorama" and "Filters in Camera" photographic features. In addition to lớn the basic quả táo 7 features, the máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen và iPad mini also support AirDrop, Filters in Photos, và more advanced photo functionality that táo apple calls "square and video clip formats & swipe to lớn capture." The máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen & iPad mini continue to tư vấn Siri, too.
The máy tính bảng ipad 2 và iPad 4th Gen, and original ipad tablet mini support iOS 8, as well, but support is minimal with no advanced features for the ipad tablet 2. It also is worth noting that quả táo 8 is slower on the ipad tablet 2 than ios 7, so those most interested in performance may prefer lớn stick with quả táo 7 for this model. By contrast, the máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen & original máy tính bảng ipad mini are fully supported by quả táo 8 with the exception of the "Health" and "Apple Pay" features.
All three support iOS 9, also. For the máy tính bảng ipad 2, tư vấn remains minimal và iOS 9 is no faster than ios 8, so upgrading only makes sense if tiện ích compatibility is more important to you than speed. The ipad 4th Gen and iPad mini tư vấn the majority of functionality -- including Spotlight và Siri improvements -- but Transit and the advanced multitasking features -- Slide Over, Picture-in-Picture, và Split View -- are not supported.
Finally, the ipad 4th gene supports quả táo 10, with the exception of Raise lớn Wake, Rich Notifcations, và Ride-Booking functionality, but the ipad tablet 2 & original máy tính bảng ipad mini bởi not tư vấn the operating system at all. The ipad 4th ren does not support iOS 11 or later, either.
None of these models tư vấn the current version of the iOS.
Internal Differences
As originally shipped, all three lines have 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of storage (and the ipad tablet 4th gen had a 128 GB configuration added later), but táo apple currently only ships 16 GB configurations of the original ipad tablet mini. All three lines also have an accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, và a digital compass.
As confirmed by the third-party Geekbench benchmark, the ipad tablet 2 và iPad mini are powered by dual bộ vi xử lý core 1 GHz táo bị cắn A5 processors with a single vi xử lý core graphics processor and have 512 MB of RAM, whereas the máy tính bảng ipad 4th ren is powered by the much faster dual core 1.4 GHz táo bị cắn dở A6X processor with quad core graphics và 1 GB of RAM.
Wireless và cellular connectivity is substantially different. The máy tính bảng ipad 2 supports công nghệ bluetooth không dây 2.1+EDR and 802.11a/b/g/n wi-fi, but the ipad 4th Gen và iPad mini models tư vấn the more advanced bluetooth 4.0 & 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi with dual band/dual stream 802.11n on both the 2.4 GHz và 5 GHz frequencies.
Also, the cellular capable ipad tablet 2 models -- the máy tính bảng ipad 2 (Wi-Fi/GSM/GPS) and iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/CDMA/GPS) -- support 3G connectivity, whereas the cellular capable máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen và iPad mini models support much more global 4G/LTE coverage -- the ipad 4th gene (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) và iPad mini (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) on bands 4 and 17 & the ipad tablet 4th gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon và Sprint/GPS) và iPad mini (Wi-Fi/Verizon và Sprint/GPS) on bands 1, 3, 5, 13, và 25. Across all lines, only the cellular capable models tư vấn GPS (and GLONASS for the máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen and original ipad tablet mini models).
Cellular capable máy tính bảng ipad 2 và iPad 4th gen models both use Micro SIM cards whereas the ipad tablet mini uses the smaller Nano SIM standard.
Battery life is estimated as the same for all of these devices. The ipad tablet 4th Gen, máy tính bảng ipad 2, and iPad mini lines each provide an estimated ten hours of battery life "surfing the website on Wi-Fi, watching đoạn phim or listening khổng lồ music" & 9 hours of surfing the website using cellular data on capable models.
Original Pricing Differences
Original pricing for each line was differentiated by capacity và data connectivity alone. The ipad tablet 2 và iPad 4th gen models were introduced at the same price, too:
| iPad 2: | 16 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Wi-Fi: | US$499 | US$599 | US$699 |
| Wi-Fi, Cellular Data và A-GPS: | US$629 | US$729 | US$829 |
| iPad 4th Gen: | 16 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Wi-Fi Only: | US$499 | US$599 | US$699 |
| Wi-Fi, 4G (AT&T) & A-GPS/GLONASS: | US$629 | US$729 | US$829 |
| Wi-Fi, 4G (VZ/Sprint) và A-GPS/GLONASS: | US$629 | US$729 | US$829 | Original máy tính bảng ipad mini: | 16 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Wi-Fi Only: | US$329 | US$429 | US$529 |
| Wi-Fi, 4G (AT&T) & A-GPS/GLONASS: | US$459 | US$559 | US$659 |
| Wi-Fi, 4G (VZ/Sprint) & A-GPS/GLONASS: | US$459 | US$559 | US$659 |
For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer lớn the máy tính bảng ipad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com"s Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Chart
The primary differences between the máy tính bảng ipad 2, máy tính bảng ipad 4th Gen, & iPad mini are summarized below:
| 9.7" (1024x768) | 7.9" (1024x768) | 9.7" (2048x1536) |
| 132 ppi | 163 ppi | 264 ppi |
| 1.0 GHz | 1.0 GHz | 1.4 GHz |
| Apple A5 | Apple A5 | Apple A6X |
| 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 512 MB | 512 MB | 1 GB |
| 3G & Wi-Fi | 4G/LTE & Wi-Fi | 4G/LTE và Wi-Fi |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| 2.1+EDR | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| 16 GB | 16, 32, 64 GB | 16, 32, 64 GB |
| Mono | Stereo | Mono |
| VGA | 1.2 Megapixel | 1.2 Megapixel |
| 0.7 Megapixels | 5.0 Megapixels | 5.0 Megapixels |
| 720p | 1080p | 1080p |
| 30-pin Dock | Lightning | Lightning |
| Micro SIM | Nano SIM | Micro SIM |
| 4.3 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 9 (Minimal) | 9 (Partial*) | 10 (Partial*) |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| 9.50 x 7.31 x 0.34 | 7.87 x 5.3 x 0.28 | 9.50 x 7.31 x 0.37 |
| 1.33, 1.35, 1.34 lbs. | 0.68, 0.69 lbs. | 1.44, 1.46 lbs. |
| A1395/A1396/A1397 | A1432/A1454/A1455 | A1458/A1459/A1460 |
| US$499-US$829 | US$329-US$659 | US$499-US$829 |
* The original máy tính bảng ipad mini và iPad 4th gen models completely support iOS 7 with the exception of the minor "Panorama" and "Filters in Camera" photographic features và iOS 8 with the exception of the "Health" và "Apple Pay" features. Running game ios 9, the máy tính bảng ipad 4th gen supports most features, but supports neither Slide Over or Split View, whereas the original máy tính bảng ipad mini supports Slide Over.
So, would one of these models meet my needs or should I buy a newer iPad?
Compared only khổng lồ one another, the máy tính bảng ipad 4th ren is the most capable because it is faster, has a better unique display, and supports a more recent version of the iOS, although none of these models support the current version of the iOS.The máy tính bảng ipad 4th ren remains usable for someone with modest needs, although current app support will be limited. It would be a challenge to still use the ipad tablet 2 or original ipad tablet mini these days.
Most users would be best off purchasing a newer ipad because subsequent models are much faster and have more advanced connectivity than any of these models.
iPad Purchase Options
There are many vendors that sell new và used iPads. However, purchasing from a quality company with extensive táo bị cắn knowledge -- & after sales tư vấn -- will provide the best experience & save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new ipad models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used & refurb ipad tablet models at bargain prices with không tính phí shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to lớn sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac & GoRoostr will buy your older ipad tablet with an instant quote và prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished máy tính bảng ipad models with a one-year warranty and miễn phí next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France và Germany.
In Canada, site sponsors core 1 and Carbon Computing both sell new ipad tablet models with free shipping in Ontario and affordable shipping across Canada. Bộ vi xử lý core 1 và Carbon Computing also each sell used iPads at discount prices, take a look at both for their current inventory to lớn find the best one for you.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac đô thị may have used máy tính bảng ipad models in stock, as well. All Macs và devices are available with a không tính phí warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please also see EveryiPad.com"s Ultimate iComparison feature khổng lồ dynamically compare any máy tính bảng ipad to any other iPod, iPhone, or ipad (new or old alike).
