10.2-Inch iPad Teardown Confirms 3GB of RAM and Same-Size Battery

Friday September 27, 2019 6:26 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
iFixit has completed its teardown of the new 10.2-inch iPad and uncovered the same 8,227 mAh/32.9 Wh battery as the sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad, while RAM has been increased from 2GB to 3GB.




The 10.2-inch iPad is similar to the sixth-generation 9.7-inch ‌iPad‌, with the same A10 Fusion chip and Apple Pencil support, but it has a larger display and a Smart Connector that enables support for Apple's full-sized Smart Keyboard. Pricing continues to start at $329 in the United States.

Given the minor refresh, the 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ has few hardware changes over the 9.7-inch ‌iPad‌ beyond the larger display, addition of a ‌Smart Connector‌, and an extra GB of RAM. Repairability remains low due to strong adhesives and a soldered Lightning connector, although display repairs remain feasible.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tags: iFixit, teardown
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
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Jsameds
17 weeks ago
They should merge iPad and iPad Air lines to simplify the lineup.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Loyalty4Life
17 weeks ago
It’s pretty sad they did not upgrade the A10 fusion inside. They usually do that yearly with this iPad.
Rating: 5 Votes
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GekkePrutser
17 weeks ago
Still no laminated display or antiglare coating. On a tablet... Wtf. :rolleyes:
Rating: 4 Votes
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Chundles
17 weeks ago
Seems fine. This is the budget model. The one schools and businesses buy.
The “real” iPad lineup is the mini, the Air and the Pro. This model doesn’t need the latest stuff, just needs to be decent for the price and it is.
Rating: 4 Votes
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PickUrPoison
17 weeks ago


They should merge iPad and iPad Air lines to simplify the lineup.

No, education needs a $299 iPad. There’s plenty of space between $299 and $799 for the Air.

People aren’t so stupid that they can’t choose between three models. Price pretty much makes the decision for you, anyway. iPad if it’s for kids, education or if cost is the biggest concern. iPad Air I’d recommend for most, as long as you can spare an extra $200. If $799 is not a problem, buy the Pro.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Populus
17 weeks ago
Minimal effort to maximize benefits of existing parts. Same SoC, same battery, same case (iPad Pro 10,5 and 3rd gen Air)...
Rating: 3 Votes
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mi7chy
17 weeks ago
Why cheapen out on DRAM when component prices are so low? It should have at least 4GB for $329 starting price. Engineering for early obsolescence wins again.

For comparison, Raspberry Pi 4 pricing is only +$10 for different LPDDR4 tiers.

Raspberry Pi 4
1GB $35
2GB $45
4GB $55
Rating: 3 Votes
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yaxomoxay
17 weeks ago


Not quite the Windows 4GB but iPad is moving toward becoming a PC replacement.


Not in the least. I have an iPP (I have ben an iPP customer since day one), have been using iPad OS 13 since its beta. I was also given a Surface Pro at work a few weeks ago (also, my wife got a Surface a couple of months ago). There is no competition, the Surface is much better. I give you that the GUI is less polished, but as a product it's definitely superior to the iPad.
Rating: 2 Votes
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PickUrPoison
17 weeks ago


Still no laminated display or antiglare coating. On a tablet... Wtf. :rolleyes:

If you want laminated display and antiglare, good news! Both are available on the iPad Air :)
Rating: 2 Votes
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Royksöpp
17 weeks ago


Repairability remains low according to ifixit standards. Pretty sure Apple knows how to repair it.


Apple doesn’t repair iPads. They give you a white box replacement and send you on your way. If your iPad is out of warranty they charge you an arm and a leg for the same replacement.
Rating: 2 Votes

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