The iPad that bridged the gap between 32-bit and 64-bit eras
In short: The fourth-generation iPad arrived with a Retina display and a significant speed boost, but it also marked a technical crossroads. As one of the last 32-bit devices in Apple's lineup, it served as a high-performance bridge before the architecture shifted entirely toward the modern 64-bit standard.
The Apple A6X chip enabled the late 2012 fourth-generation iPad to execute CPU-heavy operations at double the speed of the previous model. This jump in power was complemented by a Retina display with a pixel density of 264 ppi, offering four times the total pixels of the iPad 2. Despite these upgrades, the device remained a 32-bit architecture, a limitation that eventually meant it could not support iOS 11, making it a final chapter for that specific hardware standard in the iPad line.
The device's lifecycle was marked by strategic repositioning. After its initial release, it was briefly discontinued in 2013 following the launch of the iPad Air, only to be reintroduced in March 2014 as a lower-end, budget-friendly option. During this second life, Apple cut its price by 20% to position it against the newer, more premium iPad Air. It remained in the lineup until October 2014, when it was replaced by the iPad Air 2 as the entry-level model.
From a hardware perspective, the iPad 4 introduced the Lightning connector and a 11,560 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery. While it was praised for its speed and display, it faced criticism for its repairability, scoring a 2 out of 10 from iFixit due to the heavy use of adhesives. It also highlighted a unique design quirk: unlike the iPhone, the iPad has no 'native' orientation, as its built-in apps support rotation in all four directions, including upside-down.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: IPad (4th generation)
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