Discover the Unique Appeal of Apple's Compact Tablet Wonder

Designed for devoted brand enthusiasts who find smartphones too small and traditional tablets too bulky, this compact tablet offers a unique experience.

This device stands out as the most specialized and intriguing model in Apple's current lineup. With its compromise in size and unconventional aspect ratio, it has its share of drawbacks but also captivates with its impressive performance. Let's delve into who will appreciate this petite tablet and the reasons behind its creation.

Contents

• Specifications
• Design and Usability
• Display
• Performance
• Audio
• Camera
• Battery
• Summary

Specifications

Design and Usability

The tablet’s design mirrors the latest smartphone models, featuring a rectangular body with subtly rounded corners and flat metal edges. It is Apple’s first tablet with a 3:2 aspect ratio and is available in four colors: gray, pink, purple, and white.

Compared to its predecessor, the device is nearly 8 mm shorter while maintaining the same width. Individuals with larger hands can comfortably hold it with one hand, but those with smaller hands may find it less convenient.

The screen size increased from 7.9 to 8.3 inches, achieved by removing the traditional home button and relocating the fingerprint scanner to the power button on the top-right edge. While the fingerprint sensor is responsive, its elongated shape and placement make it somewhat challenging to locate, especially since the front camera is nearly invisible when the screen is off.

Unlocking the device is easiest by tapping the screen to wake it, orienting yourself, and then using the fingerprint sensor. Notably, Face ID is absent on this model.

The right edge houses the nano-SIM slot on cellular models and a magnetic area for attaching the second-generation stylus, which is sold separately. The charging port utilizes USB-C, meaning older Lightning cables are incompatible. There is no headphone jack.

Display

The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers sharp resolution and 500 nits of brightness with slightly rounded corners and narrow bezels approximately 8 mm wide. Early users reported issues like a jelly-like effect and discolored spots when pressing the screen; however, testing revealed no jelly effect but confirmed some discoloration when pressing certain areas.

Overall, the display delivers vivid colors, good contrast, and wide viewing angles. However, the unusual 3:2 aspect ratio presents challenges with app compatibility. For instance, navigation apps display oversized borders, text editors show a virtual keyboard that occupies nearly two-thirds of the screen in landscape mode, and video apps like YouTube can be difficult to control.

The screen has anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings, performing well under direct light but prone to fingerprints that are difficult to clean.

Performance

Powered by the latest 64-bit A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, the tablet offers robust performance capable of handling demanding photo and video editing apps as well as gaming. Benchmark tests confirm its high performance with no significant thermal throttling during extended use.

Available storage options are 64 GB and 256 GB, with no intermediate 128 GB variant. The base storage may be insufficient for extensive media storage, while the higher capacity option comes at a premium.

Audio

Equipped with four speakers positioned at the top and bottom edges, the tablet delivers stereo sound in landscape orientation. This configuration minimizes the chance of muffling audio during gaming or media consumption. Volume buttons on the top edge adjust accordingly when the device is rotated.

While the audio is detailed in the high-frequency range, it lacks in bass and overall loudness.

Camera

Both front and rear cameras feature 12-megapixel sensors. The rear camera includes an f/1.8 aperture, five-element lens, and True Tone flash, supporting 4K video recording and slow-motion capture. The front camera offers an ultra-wide 122° field of view with an f/2.4 aperture and includes a Center Stage feature that keeps the user centered during video calls, compatible only with FaceTime.

Photography capabilities are modest, with no portrait mode and a maximum 5x zoom that produces noisy images. Photos taken in auto mode exhibit natural colors and minimal yellow tint in low light but show noise and low detail upon zooming.

Battery

The built-in 19.3 Wh lithium-polymer battery provides approximately 10 hours of use under typical conditions. Streaming video for one hour with wireless headphones connected consumes about 8% of battery life. Cellular data usage reduces battery life by roughly one hour.

The battery indicator may drop abruptly at low charge levels, especially when launching resource-intensive apps.

The package includes a 20W power adapter and USB-C cable. Charging reaches 57% in 45 minutes, 85% in 1 hour 15 minutes, and full charge in about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Summary

This compact tablet is a niche product with a unique combination of features and design choices. Its balance of portability and performance appeals to a specific audience, though its unconventional aspect ratio and some limitations may not suit everyone.

While it offers impressive power and a vibrant display, the small screen size and app compatibility issues suggest it is best suited for users who prioritize mobility and brand loyalty over expansive workspace.

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