Written by Indira Anne C. Sowy

It’s that time of the year when Apple starts revealing new editions to their gadgets. This month, Apple plans to release its new iPad in its eighth generation, starting at Php 18,990 for its Wi-Fi-only connectivity version and Php 24,990 for both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity. For this device, in particular, Apple seemed to be focused more on improving, or even maintaining, existing features found in previous iPads rather than introducing completely new ones. 

In terms of its specifications, it keeps the same 10.2-inch screen as its predecessors. Similar to Apple’s most recent devices, such as the iPhone XS and the 2019 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, it utilizes an A12 Bionic processor, which allows for faster performance and longer battery life  — specifically for as long as 10 hours of use. This is the first iPad in its generation to use such an advanced processor and is an attribute that makes it unique.

Familiar features found in its hardware include bezels, or borders between a screen and a phone's frame, at the top and bottom of the screen. Like previous iPads, it uses a lightning connector as well as a headphone jack. It also supports the Apple Pencil, a unique benefit only present in the recent iPad variations.

Software features include a Smart Connector, which will allow you to connect to your Smart Keyboard Folio automatically. It maintains its Split Screen feature of past devices, which allows you to work on multiple applications and open various windows at the same time. 

Another prominent characteristic that has not only been introduced in this iPad but other Apple devices as well is the iPadOS 14. This new operating system mainly brings about features that adjust one’s Home Screen. This includes the creation of differently-sized widgets: bite-sized versions of key applications, such as Calendar, Clock, Notes, and Reminders, that allow for quick access to information without having to open the app. There are also widgets that display your average Screen Time and your device’s current battery life. Other space-saving features include the introduction of banners for incoming FaceTime calls and Siri requests, which no longer need to take up the entire screen. With new apps like Scribble, you can put your Apple Pencil to good use by writing in any text field and have this automatically converted into text. Finally, newly introduced side-bars and pull-down menus allow your iPad to feel more organized and computer-like. 

Unfortunately, the base model of this device only has 32GB of storage, which is generally low. It is possible to avail of this iPad version that can hold 128GB, but with a significant increase of price, with up to Php 24,990 for Wi-Fi-only connectivity and Php 32,990 to access both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity. With the iPad introducing a much larger library for applications, it will be hard to manage them without being forced to purchase the iPad version with the biggest storage.

So is it worth it? If you want to upgrade out of an older iPad and plan to use it regularly in replace of a laptop, then this purchase is definitely worth it. Its speedy processor and its extended battery life will make it a handy device for your daily working needs. However, if you can afford it and want to maximize your experience, you should probably save up for the new iPad Air instead, which not only has a faster chip but also multitude of new features. If either is too expensive for your taste, then perhaps it’s better to stick to an earlier iPad model instead.