The iPad 3 vs the iPad 4
The iPad 3 vs. the iPad 4 GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple 73 73 people found this article helpful
Few accessories available.
Single-band antenna. iPad 4 Fast Lightening connector is speedy.
Many accessories available. Dual-band antenna. Remember the old 30-pin connector? It may only be a few years since the Lightning connector replaced it, but it seems like ancient history. The Lightning connector got a lot of bad press when it first debuted, with many people believing it was simply a move by Apple to force people to buy new accessories. Flash forward a few years, and we have an iPad Pro with speakers at each corner, a feature that might not have worked out as well with a bigger adapter at the bottom of the iPad. The lack of a Lightning connector may be the biggest detractor to buying an iPad 3 over an iPad 4. The lack of speed won't show as much when browsing Facebook or streaming movies, but the lack of a Lightning connector makes it harder to find accessories that fit the older iPad.
The iPad 3 vs. the iPad 4
What's new with the iPad 4?
By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 7, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share EmailIn This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Overall Findings Processor Speed A6X Shines Connector Lightning Beats 30-Pin Cameras Basically the Same Wi-Fi Dual Band Is the Way to Go Verdict If you are thinking about buying a used iPad, the iPad 3 and iPad 4 may offer the biggest savings. The iPad 3 was the first iPad to offer a Retina display. Still, other than a larger graphics chip to help power the higher resolution screen, it was mostly an iPad 2. The iPad 4 also has a Retina display, but it comes with a faster processor and a modern connector.Overall Findings
iPad 3 Single-band antenna. Old-style 30-pin dock connector port. Relatively slow A5X processor. Few available accessories. iPad 4 Dual-band antenna. Speedy Lightning connector. A6X processor delivers twice the speed. Many available accessories. The iPad 4 was the first iPad to debut in fall rather than spring. With its new processor, it was the first major upgrade to the iPad since the iPad 2.Processor Speed A6X Shines
iPad 3 Relatively slow A5X processor. Quad-core graphics. iPad 4 A6X processor delivers twice the speed. Quad-core graphics. If Apple used the same system of naming the iPad that they used with the iPhone, the iPad 4 would have been named the iPad 3S, and the S would be for speed. The biggest difference between the iPad 3 and iPad 4 is a processor that produces twice the speed both with graphics and processing power. Many thought the A6X might make its debut with the iPad 3, but Apple did not want to sacrifice any battery power in an iPad that already needed as much as possible to deliver the Retina display. The A6X was delayed to make sure it was ready for mass consumption, including being energy efficient.Connector Lightning Beats 30-Pin
iPad 3 Old-style 30-pin dock connector port.Few accessories available.
Single-band antenna. iPad 4 Fast Lightening connector is speedy.
Many accessories available. Dual-band antenna. Remember the old 30-pin connector? It may only be a few years since the Lightning connector replaced it, but it seems like ancient history. The Lightning connector got a lot of bad press when it first debuted, with many people believing it was simply a move by Apple to force people to buy new accessories. Flash forward a few years, and we have an iPad Pro with speakers at each corner, a feature that might not have worked out as well with a bigger adapter at the bottom of the iPad. The lack of a Lightning connector may be the biggest detractor to buying an iPad 3 over an iPad 4. The lack of speed won't show as much when browsing Facebook or streaming movies, but the lack of a Lightning connector makes it harder to find accessories that fit the older iPad.