Tablets

Apple Unveils $329 iPad With Improved Display and Performance

• By Sri Ravipati
• 03/22/17

On Tuesday, Apple quietly released a slew of product updates that included a more affordable iPad device with an enhanced display.

Apple’s newest iPad model features a brighter display (2,048 x 1,536 resolution), with more than 3.1 million pixels designed to enhance the quality of photos and videos. As for construction, it will retain its 9.7-inch screen size, discrete glass panel and aluminum unibody enclosure.

With prices starting at $329, it is comparable to the iPad Air 2, which the company phased out from its line-up of tablets. It offers a swifter 64-bit A9 processor (compared to the iPad Air 2 which used an A8X chip). However, it still falls behind the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, with their A10 processors, in processing power.

The new model aso features:

• 1-pound weight for portability and durability;
• 10-hour battery life;
• iOS 10;
• WiFi and LTE;
• 8MP and FaceTime HD cameras;
• More than 1.5 million apps available to use; and
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

“New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it,” said Philip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Apple, in a prepared statement.

The new iPad model will be available to order beginning March 24.