Apple iPad (1st generation) vs Apple iPad (4th generation)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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iPad (1st generation) compared with iPad (4th generation)

	AppleiPad (1st generation)	AppleiPad (4th generation)
Overview
Released
Released	April 2010	November 2012
Display
Screen size
Screen size	9.7″	9.7″
Resolution
Resolution	1024 × 768	2048 × 1536 (better)
Sharpness
Sharpness	132 pixels per inch	264 pixels per inch (better)
Panel
Panel	LCD	LCD
Display type
Display type	LED-backlit glossy Multi-Touch display with IPS technology	Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD
Pixel density
Pixel density	132 ppi	264 ppi
Display features
Display features	Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating	Oleophobic coating; Multi-Touch
Performance
Chip
Chip	A4	A6X
Memory
Memory	256 MB	1 GB (better)
Storage
Storage	16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB	16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	1 GHz Apple A4; 256 MB RAM identified by iFixit's corrected teardown	Dual-core A6X; 1 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit
GPU
GPU	–	Quad-core graphics
Cameras
Rear camera
Rear camera	None	5 MP (better)
Ultra wide camera
Ultra wide camera	None	None
Front camera
Front camera	–	1.2 MP
Rear camera
Rear camera	–	iSight; f/2.4 five-element lens; hybrid IR filter; autofocus; face detection; backside illumination
Front camera
Front camera	–	FaceTime HD; face detection; backside illumination
Video recording
Video recording	–	Rear 1080p with stabilisation; front 720p; geotagging; exposure control
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	25 Wh	42.5 Wh (better)
Mobile data option
Mobile data option	Yes	Yes
Stylus
Stylus	Not supported	Not supported
Keyboard made for it
Keyboard made for it	Yes	No
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 10 hours surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music; up to nine hours surfing the web on 3G	Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours browsing over cellular
Charging
Charging	10W USB Power Adapter included; charging through the dock connector	Power adapter or USB computer connection
USB-C
USB-C	30-pin dock connector; Dock Connector to USB Cable; 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack; VGA adapter supports 1024 x 768 output	Lightning; 3.5 mm headphone jack; optional Digital AV and VGA adapters; Apple support lists external video output up to 720p
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n	Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n; 802.11n at 2.4 and 5 GHz
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR	Bluetooth 4.0
Mobile network
Mobile network	Wi-Fi + 3G model supports UMTS/HSDPA and GSM/EDGE data; micro-SIM; assisted GPS; weighs 730 g	GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA; LTE bands 1/3/5/13/25 on A1460 or 4/17 on A1459; micro-SIM; 662 g
Stylus support
Stylus support	No Apple Pencil support	No Apple Pencil support
Keyboards
Keyboards	iPad Keyboard Dock, sold separately	Bluetooth keyboards supported; no dedicated Apple keyboard connector
Design
Weight
Weight	680 g	652 g (better)
Thickness
Thickness	13.4 mm	9.4 mm (better)
Height × width
Height × width	242.8 × 189.7 mm	241.2 × 185.7 mm
Operating system
Operating system	iOS	iOS
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in speaker	Built-in speaker
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone	Built-in microphone
Sensors
Sensors	Accelerometer; ambient light sensor; digital compass; assisted GPS on Wi-Fi + 3G model	Accelerometer; ambient light; three-axis gyroscope; compass; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular model
Materials
Materials	Aluminium and glass enclosure	Aluminium enclosure
Colours
Colours	Silver enclosure with black front	Black or White front
Software at launch
Software at launch	iPhone OS 3.2; this generation predates iPadOS	iOS 6; 128 GB version introduced with iOS 6.1 on 5 February 2013
In the box
In the box	iPad, Dock Connector to USB Cable, 10W USB Power Adapter, documentation	iPad; Lightning to USB Cable; USB Power Adapter