Apple Announces iPad 4 Relaunch, Confirms 8 GB iPhone 5c Limited to Select Countries

ipad_4_399After the fourth-generation iPad reappeared on Apple's online storefront earlier today, the company has issued a press release confirming the return of the device to the company's product lineup. The iPad with Retina Display will replace the iPad 2 as the company's entry-level full-sized tablet option.

“Now for $399 customers can get iPad with a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display, fast A6X chip, and 5MP iSight camera, offering a dramatic upgrade in power, performance and value compared to the iPad 2 it replaces,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iPad line sets the gold-standard in mobile computing and all iPads have access to the largest and best ecosystem of more than 500,000 iPad optimized apps from the App Store.”

The 16 GB WiFi-only iPad 4 is available for $399, while the WiFi + Cellular model starts at $529 in the U.S., with both black and white color options available. The iPad with Retina Display will be sold through the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers. Customers looking for additional storage capacity beyond 16 GB must purchase the iPad Air, which is available in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB options.

In line with earlier rumors, Apple today also started selling a new 8 GB iPhone 5c in select countries. The new 8 GB model with five color options is available in Apple's UK online store for £429 unlocked, making it £40 cheaper than the comparable 16 GB model.

Distribution of the new lower-capacity model is, however, rather limited, with Apple confirming to Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt that the 8 GB model will only be available in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and China.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Apple Watch 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know Feature

Apple Watch: 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know

Thursday February 19, 2026 7:38 am PST by
Apple Watch is now eleven generations in, and packed with useful features that are easy to miss at first glance. To help you get more out of your new device, we've rounded up 15 practical tips you might not have discovered yet, including a few that long-time users often overlook. Bounce Between Two Apps On your Apple Watch, double-press the Digital Crown to see a deck of all currently...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...

Top Rated Comments

156 months ago
-- removed by user --
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattopotamus Avatar
156 months ago
How are people complaining about this move? Clearly the ipad 4 is more suitable at $399 than the ipad 2 was.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
156 months ago
Better the iPad 4 as a cheaper option than the iPad 2. The iPad 4 is far more an appealing option for today's consumer.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D.T. Avatar
156 months ago
This is a pretty decent idea. The iPad 4 is still a powerful tablet, it doesn’t have anything “missing” like the iPad 2 ... and it only gives up some small % of performance and dimension for $100 savings (if you’re only considering a full sized iPad).

:cool:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
td1439 Avatar
156 months ago
Anyone who shelled out $400 for an iPad 2 in the last couple of months is probably fuming right now.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
156 months ago
I think it's great!

My 2 cents:

I thought selling the iPad 2 was cheesy as it doesn't have the retina display, but the iPad 4 at 16GB is fantastic for that price point.

I read some of the messages and seen the comments about 'milking this line' or 'how innovative selling an older product'.

Look at it from this perspective - not everyone cares (or even knows) about the technical differences between the 4 and Air.

Do you think someone like my mother in law, who can barely type on a computer, gives a crap whether or not it's the A-535 or A7883939393 chip?

NO.

Does she care about having a ton of GB space to save movies or other stuff on?

NO. She may think GB means Green Bay for crying out loud. lol

Will she want a fantastic looking display to check her email and surf the web, receive texts from her grandkids when they're not able to visit.

Will she want a device that's incredibly easy to use?

YES.

Will the iPad 4 16 GB PERFECTLY suit that need.

YES! In a huge way. Especially at that price point.

My point is just because YOU may not agree with their decision and think it's stupid....don't think it won't sell.

I'm not saying this is perfect for seniors either. Think of parents looking for a Christmas gift for their kid who may not need more than 16GB. Lots of possibilities out there.

I don't think is Apple harming their own market share. In fact, I bet they sell more iPads now that they have a lower option Retina display. To me, this is just like a car manufacturer - you'll have people who will want to buy the high end vehicles and you'll have those buying the lower end.

Are their needs being met?

Absolutely.

Are yours? Maybe not. So go buy that higher end option.

But maybe you'll see there are other view points and factors to consider.

Cheers,
Keebler
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)