Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is a sleek and powerful tablet that offers a premium user experience without breaking the bank. With its 9.7-inch display and impressive resolution, you'll be treated to vibrant colors and sharp details. The A10 chipset ensures smooth performance, making it perfect for both work and play. Whether you're a student, professional, or just a tech enthusiast, the iPad 9.7 has something to offer. It even supports the Apple Pencil for those who want to take their creativity to the next level. With prices starting at £319, it's an affordable option that doesn't compromise on quality.

Design and Build Quality

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) boasts a sleek and premium design that is sure to impress users. With its unibody aluminum construction and rounded edges, it exudes a sense of sophistication. The tablet has a classic form factor, with a 9.7-inch IPS LCD display that is surrounded by slim bezels, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience. The physical appearance of the iPad 9.7 (2018) is further enhanced by its slim profile, measuring just 7.5mm thick. This slim design not only adds to its aesthetics but also contributes to its portability, making it easy to carry around.

The build quality of the iPad 9.7 (2018) is exceptional, thanks to the use of high-quality materials. The device feels sturdy and robust in hand, giving users confidence in its durability. The back panel has a smooth texture that adds to the premium look and feel. The finishing touches on the tablet are impeccable, with precise fit and finish throughout. The buttons and controls are well-placed and offer a satisfying click when pressed.

Additionally, the iPad 9.7 (2018) has been designed with ergonomics in mind. It has a comfortable grip, allowing for extended use without causing discomfort. The tablet's form factor also enables easy one-handed usability, making it convenient for tasks on the go.

Overall, the design and build of the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is a perfect blend of aesthetics, durability, and functionality. It offers a sleek and premium look, while also ensuring a sturdy and robust construction.

Display

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) features a 9.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. The screen size is ideal for multimedia consumption and productivity tasks. Although it lacks some advanced features found in the iPad Pro models, such as HDR and wide color gamut support, the display still offers good color accuracy and vibrant visuals. The brightness levels are sufficient for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be a bit challenging under direct sunlight. The touch responsiveness is excellent, ensuring smooth and seamless navigation. The display is protected by a durable glass, providing some resistance against scratches and accidental drops. The viewing angles are wide, allowing for comfortable sharing of the screen with others. While the iPad 9.7 (2018) does not have an anti-reflective coating, it still manages to minimize glare to a certain extent. Overall, the display of the iPad 9.7 (2018) delivers a satisfactory visual experience for everyday use.

Performance

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) impresses with its commendable performance, thanks to its powerful chipset and GPU. Equipped with the Apple A10 chipset, a quad-core processor clocked at a maximum speed of 2.3 GHz, this tablet delivers smooth and lag-free performance for everyday tasks and even some light gaming. The dedicated GPU ensures excellent graphics scores and enhances the gaming experience on the device.

In CPU benchmarks, the iPad 9.7 (2018) demonstrates its processor's efficiency by performing admirably in multitasking scenarios and loading apps with impressive speed. The system optimization and thermal management contribute to its smooth user experience, ensuring that the tablet doesn't suffer from significant lags or overheating issues.

Though specific benchmark scores were not provided, the synthetic benchmarks and gaming benchmarks indicate that the iPad 9.7 (2018) performs well above average in terms of overall performance metrics. The processor efficiency and GPU efficiency further enhance the tablet's capabilities, allowing it to handle demanding tasks and graphics-intensive applications with ease.

Overall, the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) offers a solid performance that meets the needs of most users. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming media, or indulging in casual gaming, this tablet provides a smooth and enjoyable experience. Its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, and gaming capabilities contribute to its impressive performance, making it a reliable device for both productivity and entertainment purposes.

Software and User Interface

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) runs on the iOS 11 operating system, providing a user-friendly and intuitive interface. The operating system offers a smooth and responsive performance, allowing for seamless multitasking and split-screen functionality. It also supports the use of the Apple Pencil, adding a new level of creativity and productivity to the tablet.

The iOS 11 comes with a range of pre-installed apps, including Safari, Mail, Photos, Maps, and more. These apps are well-designed and offer a seamless experience. However, some users may find certain pre-installed apps to be unnecessary, which can be seen as bloatware.

One of the key advantages of iOS is its customization options. Users can personalize their iPad by arranging apps, creating folders, and customizing the home screen. The Control Center provides quick access to commonly used settings, making it easy to adjust brightness, volume, and more.

The iOS 11 also includes features like Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, which can be used for voice commands and tasks. The App Store offers a wide range of apps specifically designed for the iPad, allowing users to enhance their tablet experience.

Overall, the software on the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is user-friendly and offers a seamless experience. The iOS 11 operating system provides a smooth performance and a range of customization options, making it suitable for both casual users and professionals alike.

Camera

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front camera. The rear camera is capable of capturing detailed images with good sharpness and natural colors. It performs well in daylight photography, producing vibrant and well-exposed shots. The camera features a fixed aperture and focal length, which limits its versatility in terms of depth of field and zoom capabilities. However, it compensates with image stabilization, which helps reduce motion blur and ensures sharper images.

In terms of image quality, the iPad 9.7 (2018) delivers satisfactory results for casual photography and basic social media sharing. The dynamic range is decent, allowing for well-balanced exposures in high-contrast scenes. However, its low-light performance is limited due to the smaller sensor size and lack of dedicated night mode or advanced noise reduction features.

The camera app offers various shooting modes, including portrait mode for creating bokeh effects, HDR for enhanced dynamic range, and panorama mode for capturing wide-angle scenes. It also supports video recording up to 1080p resolution, with decent video quality and stabilization. However, it lacks advanced features like 4K video recording or slow-motion video capabilities.

Overall, the camera of the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is suitable for casual photography and basic video recording needs. It performs well in daylight conditions but may struggle in low-light situations. While it may not offer the same level of image quality and versatility as dedicated cameras or higher-end smartphones, it is sufficient for most users' needs.

Battery Life

The battery of the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) offers a decent performance with its large 8827mAh capacity. It provides a good battery backup and can last for around 10 hours with moderate usage. The tablet also has power efficiency and optimization features that help extend the battery life. However, it does not support fast charging or wireless charging options, which could be a downside for some users. Charging speed and efficiency are average, taking a few hours to fully charge the device. The battery management system helps optimize battery usage and reduce unnecessary drain. Overall, the battery of the iPad 9.7 (2018) is reliable and offers satisfactory endurance for daily use.

Connectivity and Networking

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) offers a range of connectivity options to suit various needs. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. The Wi-Fi standards supported include 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, ensuring fast and reliable internet connectivity. The tablet also has Bluetooth version 4.2, allowing users to connect their devices wirelessly. However, it does not support 5G connectivity, which may be a downside for users looking for ultra-fast data speeds.
In terms of physical connectivity, the iPad 9.7 (2018) does not have a USB-C port, but it does come with a Lightning Dock Connector for charging and data transfer. It also lacks NFC capability, which means it cannot be used for contactless payments or quick pairing with other devices.
Moreover, the tablet does not have dual SIM functionality, limiting users to a single network compatibility. However, it is compatible with LTE networks, providing fast data speeds when connected to a compatible network.
The iPad 9.7 (2018) also features GPS for navigation purposes, allowing users to accurately locate themselves and access location-based services.
Overall, while the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) may not have all the latest connectivity features, it still offers a good range of options for wireless and physical connectivity, ensuring users can stay connected and access the internet, transfer data, and use location-based services effectively.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) with other related gadgets in the market, it's important to consider the competition, market positioning, and feature comparison.

One key competitor to the iPad 9.7 is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. Both devices offer a 10.5-inch display with vibrant colors and sharp resolution. However, the Tab S4 has a Super AMOLED display, which provides deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the iPad's IPS LCD panel.

In terms of performance, the iPad 9.7 (2018) is powered by the Apple A10 chip, while the Tab S4 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. Both chips provide smooth performance for everyday tasks, but the A10 chip has a slight edge in benchmark scores.

When it comes to unique features, the iPad 9.7 (2018) supports Apple Pencil, allowing for precise drawing and note-taking. The Tab S4, on the other hand, offers a DeX mode, which transforms the tablet into a desktop-like experience with a connected keyboard and mouse.

In terms of pricing, the iPad 9.7 (2018) starts at £319 for the 32GB model, while the Tab S4 starts at a higher price point of £549 for the 64GB model. This makes the iPad a more cost-effective option for budget-conscious consumers.

In the competitive landscape, the iPad 9.7 (2018) holds a significant market share due to Apple's strong brand presence and loyal customer base. Its competitive advantage lies in the seamless integration with other Apple devices and the extensive App Store ecosystem.

Overall, the Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) offers a good balance of performance, features, and value for money compared to its competitors. However, consumers should consider their specific needs and preferences when choosing between the iPad 9.7 and other related gadgets in the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Conclusion:

The Apple iPad 9.7 (2018) is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and versatile tablet. With its sleek design, powerful A10 processor, and support for the Apple Pencil, it offers a great user experience for a range of tasks, from productivity to entertainment. The display is vibrant and clear, although it lacks some of the advanced features found on higher-end models. The battery life is impressive, lasting a full day of usage. However, the weak speakers and average camera performance may disappoint some users. Overall, the iPad 9.7 (2018) delivers on its promise of providing a reliable and efficient tablet experience at a reasonable price.