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| iPad 4th generation | |
|---|---|
| Name | iPad 4th generation |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Foxconn |
| Family | iPad |
| Type | Tablet computer |
| Release date | November 2012 |
| Price | Varies |
| Os | iOS 6 (original), upgradable |
| Soc | Apple A6X |
| Cpu | Dual-core Apple Swift |
| Storage | 16/32/64/128 GB |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM |
| Display | 9.7-inch Retina |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi, LTE, Bluetooth |
iPad 4th generation The iPad 4th generation is a tablet computer designed by Apple Inc., announced and released in late 2012 as an interim update to the third-generation iPad. It featured a faster Apple A6X system on chip, a Lightning connector replacing the 30‑pin dock, and updated wireless options, aiming to compete with contemporaries from Samsung Electronics, Microsoft, and Google. The model influenced tablet hardware and accessory ecosystems and remained part of Apple's iPad lineup until superseded by the iPad Air and later models.
Apple Inc. developed the iPad 4th generation under the leadership of then‑CEO Tim Cook and senior design teams influenced by executives such as Jonathan Ive and engineers formerly associated with Intel collaborations. Manufacturing and assembly were performed by contractors including Foxconn and suppliers like Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. and component vendors such as Samsung Electronics for DRAM and LG Display for panels. The device was announced amid media coverage from outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Verge, Wired (magazine), and CNET and shipped in markets including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan, and Germany in November 2012. Its release followed Apple's product cadence established with the original iPad (1st generation), the iPad 2, and the iPad (3rd generation), and preceded launches such as the iPad Mini (1st generation) and iPad Air (1st generation).
Visually similar to the preceding iPad (3rd generation), the 4th generation retained a 9.7‑inch aluminium unibody chassis inspired by Apple's industrial design language championed by Jonathan Ive's teams. Key hardware changes included the in‑house Apple A6X SoC, dual‑core Swift CPU architecture produced after collaborations with silicon partners in the semiconductor industry including TSMC and techniques parallel to ARM Holdings licensing. Storage tiers echoed industry standards set by companies such as Western Digital and SanDisk, offering 16, 32, 64, and 128 GB options. The Lightning connector replaced the venerable 30‑pin dock used since the iPhone (1st generation), affecting accessory makers including Belkin, Logitech, and Speck Products.
The iPad 4th generation employed a 9.7‑inch Retina display co‑developed with display manufacturers like LG Display and Sharp Corporation, continuing pixel density strategies similar to those seen in products by Sony Corporation and Samsung Electronics. Graphics performance benefited from the quad‑core GPU integrated in the A6X, positioning the device against contemporaries such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Microsoft Surface RT in benchmarking coverage by outlets such as AnandTech and Gizmodo. Thermal and power management echoed developments in mobile SoC efficiency discussed at venues like the IEEE conferences and in publications by ARM Holdings partners. Real‑world performance improvements were noted in app load times, rendering in games from studios like Epic Games and Electronic Arts, and multitasking responsiveness compared to the prior generation.
Shipped with iOS 6, the iPad 4th generation supported ecosystem services including the App Store (iOS), iCloud, and media integrations with platforms such as iTunes. Its software lifecycle intersected with major Apple software events like the announcement of iOS 7 and later compatibility discussions involving iOS 8 and iOS 9, affecting app support from developers including Rovio Entertainment, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Office teams. Enterprise and education deployments referenced policies and management tools from organizations such as Cisco Systems and Jamf. Over time, Apple provided updates until hardware limitations and architectural shifts led to eventual obsolescence compared with newer devices supporting frameworks introduced at WWDC events.
The Lightning connector ushered a new generation of accessories from vendors like Belkin, Logitech, and Anker, leading to adapters and docks bridging legacy peripherals associated with Apple Inc.'s earlier products. Cellular models supported LTE bands used by carriers such as AT&T, Verizon Communications, Vodafone, and China Mobile, with modem components sourced through suppliers including Qualcomm and Intel. Wireless connectivity featured Wi‑Fi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n) compatibility and Bluetooth profiles enabling keyboards and audio peripherals from companies like Bose Corporation and Sennheiser. The accessory ecosystem also encompassed styluses and cases from brands such as ZAGG and Speck Products.
Contemporary reviews in publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Verge, and TechCrunch praised the device's performance improvements and Lightning connector while criticizing its incremental nature and proximity in timing to the third‑generation model. Market reaction influenced accessory manufacturers and carriers, shaping strategies at corporations like Samsung Electronics, Google, and Microsoft as tablets evolved toward thinner, lighter designs exemplified later by the iPad Air and conversions such as the Microsoft Surface Pro. The iPad 4th generation remains noted in histories of mobile computing alongside milestones like the iPhone (4S), the rise of Android (operating system), and the tablet market shifts documented in reports by firms including IDC (company) and Gartner, Inc..
Category:Apple products