Apple iPad Apple 2020 iPad 8th Gen (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 128GB) Review

The 2020 iPad 8th Gen is basically Apple's entry ticket. It's got that familiar 10.2-inch Retina screen and runs on the older A12 Bionic chip. For $199, you're getting a solid media consumption device that can handle basic tasks without breaking a sweat. Just don't expect it to keep up with modern apps or heavy workloads.

The A12 chip is showing its age, landing in the 9th percentile for CPU performance. It's fine for streaming, browsing, and light games, but you'll feel the lag if you push it. The 6GB of RAM helps a bit, but the GPU is a real weak spot at the 12th percentile. Battery life is average, hitting the 50th percentile, so you'll get close to that 10-hour claim with light use.

At $199, the value is hard to argue with if you just need a simple iPad. You're getting a functional Apple tablet for less than half the price of a new base model. But you're also buying 2020 tech in 2024, so you're trading future performance for that low cost. It's a good deal, but only for very specific, light uses.

Next to an iPad Pro with an M-series chip, this iPad feels like a toy. The Pro will run circles around it for any real work. Compared to a modern Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, you lose out on screen quality, performance, and modern ports. Even the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, while more expensive, is a full Windows PC in tablet form. This iPad's only real advantage is its rock-bottom price and the Apple ecosystem.

Buy this if you need a super cheap iPad for a kid, as a dedicated recipe screen in the kitchen, or as a light reader and video streamer. If you plan to do any real multitasking, note-taking with the Pencil, or use newer apps, you'll outgrow it fast. Spend a bit more for something newer.