Apple launches new iPad 4 - iPad 3 removed from Apple store
Apple announced a brand-new iPad at the iPad Mini event and in so doing consigned the last-generation iPad, the iPad 3, to the scrap heap.
The new iPad - already being called the iPad 4 - features the same 9.7in Retina display but an all new Apple A6X chip.
The new A6X processing chip promises twice the CPU performance and twice the graphics performance of the last-gen A5X chip.
Apple has added the Lightning connector to the new iPad, a FaceTime HD camera, faster WiFi speeds thanks to support for 802.11n and the addition of 4G LTE support.
Apple iPad prices
New Apple iPad 16GB £399 (WiFi) £499 (WiFi+Cellular)
New Apple iPad 32GB £479 (WiFi) £579 (WiFi+Cellular)
New Apple iPad 64GB £559 (WiFi) £659 (WiFi+Cellular)
The Apple iPad 2 is now cheaper, too, at £329 for the 16GB WiFi version and £429 for the 16GB WiFi and 3G.
The iPad 4 still has a 10-hour battery life and the same dimensions as the previous iPad.
The iPad 3, released just six months ago, has however been removed from the Apple store and replaced. The iPad 2 continues.
You can pre-order devices from Friday 26th October and shipping for the new iPads starts on Friday November 2nd.
Free exchange for your 'old' iPad 3?
And there are suggestions that if you bought an iPad 3 in the last 30 days, Apple might swap it out for a new iPad 4.
Cnet reports some stores in the US are telling customers they will exchange mint condition iPad 3 tablets for the new iPad.
As yet, there is no official word from Apple or on whether this will be the case in the UK but it looks like it's worth checking with your local store.
Let us know what you think, especially if you're an iPad 3 owner, in the comments section below.
iPad Mini: details, pictures, prices and release dates
Comments
if you have an investment in pre-lightning apple devices then the "new ipad" aka the ipad3 might actually be a preferable device to the ipad4 because you don't need to waste money buying an adaptor for each dock/cable/speaker etc
But if you only just bought one and can't get an exchange, then it sucks and I'm sorry for you.
Golden rule: when you've just bought a new electronic unit (camera, phone, tablet etc), stop looking at adverts, special offer deals, and product announcements for six months, because it'll only make you disappointed.
Love the one (device) you're with!
but only if you bought direct from Apple. If you bought from an authorised reseller then Apple will not even consider swapping out for the iPad 4. I bought on 12th October 2012 and Apple have refuse to do anything but insist I go back to the reseller - and no reseller is going to refund or swap out as the box has been opened!! Appalling customer service from Apple. Their call centre staff even laughed at me today for suggesting they should care about it!
Tried the Apple store, they would only offer the exchange for 14 days and then only to Apple store customers. If you purchased via another retailer it's up to that retailer nothing to do with Apple. Thinks me have to just put up with this.
There are at least three reasons why Apple have chosen this opportunity to refresh their top of line iPad.
1. To adjust the refresh cycle to take advantage of the Christmas sales period (Holiday period as our American cousins call it).
With increasing competition in the tablet market, a refresh in the spring loses its edge by the end of the year.
In the past it didn't matter with almost no competition and it took a while for the buzz to build up. But that has all changed now and the timing of a refresh becomes critcal.
2. The imminent launch of the Windows 8 MS Surface and a wave of other similar W8 RT tablets from the likes of Samsung, Asus etc.
3. The emergence of the 7" tablet market. Despite the earlier presence of the smaller form factor, it was Amazon with the Fire who really kicked off this market segment a year ago.
With Apple now joining this fray, they need to further distance their larger model from its new junior sibling.
Sorry - double post.
So they drop the so called 3' and yet keep the 2 going........logical
Actually it does make sense, especially when you consider the official names...
The iPad with Retina Display (hey What HiFi - lets have it refered to properly!!) replaces the New iPad which also had retina display. The iPad 2 stays in the line-up as a budget option for those people who want the 10" display but don't want/need the higher resolution display.
Eloise
I'm of the opinion that apple has dropped the ipad3 from their store because nobody would buy the new one, its as good as exactly the same. If I had bought an ipad3 the only reason that I would be annoyed is that they will now be cheaper on ebay, not that my ipad was out of date.
I have an iPad 2 which is still running fine and I have no intention to upgrade to an iPad 4 at the moment. For the same reason, current iPad 1, 2 and 3 owners should not be disapointed about the iPad 4 release, even if one bought an iPad 3 recently. If your iPad still does the job then there is absolutly no need to upgrade or to be disapointed about. Products to evolve over time and that is a good thing.
My iPod Touch 2nd gen is due for an update. I can’t decide wether I should go for a new iPod Touch or an iPad Mini though... Will need to get my hands on one to see how ‘big’ the iPad Minin realy is.
I bought an Ipad-3 on the 15th of October,
and gutted to know that Ipad-3 was discontinued, so phoned the customer services @ Apple UK, and they have organised the pickup, and will be sending me the new ipad-4, next week, when they start shipping...
so it works, here in the UK too...
So they drop the so called 3' and yet keep the 2 in production, that makes sense,
NOT!!!!!!
if this were a tweet, I'd say. #totallyillogical
So they drop the so called 3' and yet keep the 2 going........logical
NOT!!!!!!!!
I bought 2 iPad 3s in August for me and my partner, I'm not particularly bothered that Apple have bought out a mini version! The 3 is a great piece of kit, if I want to use something smaller I have my new iPhone 5!
Apple keeping their customers (patients) on the drip feed.
"Just gimme something Doc, I need something!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
See you in 6 months for a repeat appointment and to check your dressings.
"Did they tell you that this medicine can be taken as a suppositorie Sir"?
I think with the launch of the surface tablet may have something to do with this.
I know that Apple had been looking at ways of making the iPad 3 cooler due to its retina display getting hotter than it needed too so i believe this would of been corrected now
Not to mention i think there will be faster updates with the iPhones and any product that uses the old style connector to bring it line with the lightning connector, as this would not make sense to continue to sell two different connections for one eco system
I also believe this isn't going to happen again with only a 6 months lifespan for an Apple product, if anything my g2 iPad isn't out of date as far i'm concerned and its still going strong
I must admit to being a bit miffed at a new ipad coming out less than five months after I bought mine - especially as I bought what I thought would be be a 4G compatible model, when my service provider starts offering 4G next month. Now I've got to buy a new one if I want 4G! I'm going to be more cautious next time I buy an Apple product.
I think the 6 months cycle is taking the biscuit as well, However I dont find the Ipad 3 slow in the slightest - so for the new one to be a bit quicker is of no real consequence - different if it was slow. How often do people use facetime, due to poor indoor lighting it always looks bad - a better camera cant change indoor light
I think teh Ipad 3 in general is great - the battery last ages and its more than quick enough for general browing, controlling apps etc
Maybe the new A6 chip runs cooler (being a smaller die - quite often case with cpu advances) than the A5 which obviously has its own benefits
The ipad mini is a great idea for travellers / commuters and I am sure will sell like hot cakes
There's really no need for iPad 3 owners to feel miffed about the upgrade.
The Lightning connector is of no consequence if you are already using the old 10 pin connector and the expanded LTE capability (the 3 already had LTE, but not for the UK bands) only applies to the Cellular models, which already had the fastest 3G capability to take advantage of any upgraded networks.
The only really valuable upgrade a 3 owner misses out on is the new A6 processor; but then again the previous processor is quite fast as it is.
As someone has said, this is an incremental upgrade to keep the iPad ahead of the increasing competition. It has no impact on existing iPad owners who can continue to enjoy using an already brilliant device.
I have a 32gb 3G original iPad. with cloud storage I probably don't need more than 16gb. and I rarely use it outside a wifi zone. so cant decide on a mini or a new 4 th generation. I use it mainly for browsing, email, social media, playing chess. I'm a bit livid about lightning connection as I have an expensive apple iPad keyboard, and a Logitech speaker dock
Well I brought an 'iPad 3' when they first came out (my first iPad). Yeah I am pretty miffed that a new one has replaced it within six months. I can live with the 12 month cycle, but six months is very hard to swallow.
Boz
I think this is why Apple dropped The numbers from The iPad. Maybe we should expect more regular but smaller updates to the iPad line-up.
Just keeping their noses in front of the ever improving competition?...
Another one for die hard apple fans (and Ashley).
Its going to be difficult (and increasingly expensive) to keep up with the fruits new releases. - The company must be feeling the pressure with the imminent release of windows 8 hardware and Google/Amazon joining the Android camp.
New era?