Apple iPad Apple iPad (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB) - Review

The renewed 8th gen iPad is a budget-friendly way to get a cellular Apple tablet. It's great for reading, streaming, and light apps, but the older A12 chip and Lightning port feel dated. At around $232, it's a solid value for specific, simple needs.

If you're looking for a basic iPad with cellular connectivity and enough storage for apps and media, this renewed 8th generation iPad is a solid option, especially at around $232. It's the classic 10.2-inch iPad design with a sharp Retina display, Apple's older A12 Bionic chip, and support for the first-gen Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. This is the tablet for someone who wants a simple, reliable Apple experience for reading, streaming, and light tasks without paying for the latest Pro features. It's not a powerhouse, but it gets the job done for most casual uses.

Let's be real about the performance. The A12 Bionic chip was great in its day, but it's now several generations old. In our database, its CPU performance lands in the 9th percentile compared to modern tablets, and the GPU is even lower at the 13th percentile. What does that mean for you? It's perfectly fine for browsing the web, watching Netflix, reading e-books, and using basic apps. It'll handle casual games, but don't expect to play demanding titles like Genshin Impact on high settings. For students taking notes or families streaming videos, it's more than enough. But if you're trying to do serious photo editing or multitask with a dozen apps, you'll feel the age.

At $232 for a renewed model with cellular and 128GB, the value proposition is clear. You're getting core iPad functionality at a fraction of the cost of a new one. The main trade-off is performance. For a similar price, you could get a newer Android tablet with a faster chip, but you'd lose the iPadOS ecosystem and app optimization. If your budget is tight and you're locked into Apple's world, this is one of the cheapest ways to get a cellular iPad. Just know you're buying into older tech.

This iPad sits in a weird spot. It's much cheaper than the current iPad Air (with the M2 chip) or iPad Pro, but it's also significantly slower. Compared to a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, you're getting a smoother software experience with iPadOS versus Android, but the Samsung likely has a better screen and more modern specs for a similar price. The biggest competitor might be a used or renewed 9th or 10th gen iPad, which have better processors and USB-C. If you can find one of those for a bit more money, it's usually worth the upgrade. Against budget Android tablets like the Lenovo Tab series, the iPad wins on software support and resale value, even with an older chip.

Skip this iPad if you need performance for work, gaming, or creative apps. Its CPU and GPU scores are too low for demanding tasks. Also skip it if you hate the Lightning connector and want modern accessories. If that's you, look at a renewed 9th gen iPad or a base model iPad Air instead. Power users should just save up for an iPad Pro or a high-end Android tablet.

So, should you buy this renewed 8th gen iPad? Yes, but only if you have very specific needs. Buy it if you absolutely need a cellular iPad on a tight budget, or if you just want a simple tablet for a kid or for media consumption and the Lightning port doesn't bother you. For everyone else, especially if you plan to use it for anything beyond basic tasks, we'd recommend saving a little more for a newer model with USB-C and a faster chip. This iPad is a competent tool for light work, but it's showing its age.