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    Welcome to Consumer Reports.

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    Tablets

    Apple iPad 9.7 (4G, 128GB) - 2018 tablet

    A larger tablet from Apple with a 9.7-inch screen and running on the iOS 11.3 operating system at time of test. The Apple App Store is included for downloading additional apps. Tested with 128GB of storage.

    About

    The Apple iPad 9.7 (4G, 128GB) - 2018 is a larger tablet with a 9.7-inch screen. It has a display resolution of 2048 x 1536, and produces typical detail at 265 pixels per inch. The squarish screen is a better shape for photos than for videos. The tablet has a 2.33GHz ARM A10 Fusion Chip processor and ran on the iOS 11.3 operating system at time of testing. It has 2GB memory and is available with 128GB storage. You can connect to the internet using 802.11ac WiFi or 4G mobile data. It has Bluetooth. It has a 1.2-megapixel webcam and an 8-megapixel camera. The Apple iPad 9.7 (4G, 128GB) - 2018 measures 9.4 inches long by 6.7 inches wide by 0.2 inches thick. Without a keyboard, it weighs 1 lbs.

    Results in the following chart are gathered from Consumer Reports’ 2018 Winter Survey of 55,713 tablets, owned by members who purchased a new device between 2013 and 2018.

    Our predicted reliability ratings are based on a statistical model that estimates problem rates within the first 3 years of ownership, for tablets that are not covered by an extended warranty or service contract. We also adjust for the median number of hours of use per week. The median in our survey was 14 hours per week. Higher ratings are indicative of better reliability. Brands receiving a red or orange rating cannot be recommended by CR at this time.

    Our owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their tablet to friends and family.

    Predicted Reliability

    Apple
    Samsung
    Amazon
    Lenovo
    Asus
    Acer

    Source: Consumer Reports' 2018 Winter Survey

    Owner Satisfaction

    Apple
    Amazon
    Samsung
    Lenovo
    Asus
    Acer

    Source: Consumer Reports' 2018 Winter Survey

    Connections

    WiFi type WiFi type The type of built-in 802.11 wireless networking supported. Tablets with 802.11n also support 802.11g routers. Some models with 802.11n also support the 5GHz "high band," a standard suitable for apartments and other crowded areas.
    802.11ac
    Mobile Type Mobile Type Highest level cellular network the tablet can connect to using a carrier's data plan.
    4G

    Features

    Memory-card reader Memory-card reader A slot for a standard memory card (usually a micro-SD) to expand storage or transfer files.
    No
    Camera Camera An outward-facing camera for shooting photos or video recordings.
    Yes
    Webcam Webcam An inward-facing camera for video chat or selfies.
    Yes
    GPS GPS Can receive satellite data for precise navigation.
    Yes
    Capacitive touchscreen Capacitive touchscreen A capacitive touchscreen requires less pressure and is more precise than the resistive type, but cannot sense gloved fingers.
    Yes

    Specs

    Internal storage (GB) Internal storage Storage for the operating system, downloaded apps and user content.
    128
    Operating system (as tested) Operating system (as tested) The underlying program that runs the user interface and applications. Version is the installed OS at time of testing.
    iOS 11.3
    Length (in.) Length The longest edge of the tablet measured in inches.
    9.4
    Width (in.) Width The medium-sized edge of the tablet measured in inches.
    6.7
    Depth (in.) Depth The shortest edge of the tablet measured in inches.
    0.2
    Resolution Resolution The pixel dimensions of the screen, length by width. Combined with the screen size, this determines the pixel density, which is the true measure of the ability to display image detail.
    2048 x 1536
    Pixel density Pixel density A measure of observable detail on the screen. Pixel density of about 300 pixels per inch or higher eliminates any detail loss due to screen resolution limitations if viewed about 10 inches away.
    265
    Mobile data Mobile data Can use a cellular carrier's data plan to connect to the Internet.
    Yes
    Camera MP Camera MP Megapixel resolution of the outward-facing camera.
    8
    Camera: Video definition Camera: Video definition Largest height available to the outward-facing camera for recording video. 720 and above can display in HD; values below display in SD.
    1080
    Webcam MP Webcam MP Megapixel resolution of the user-facing webcam.
    1.2
    Webcam: Video definition Webcam: Video definition Largest height available to the user-facing webcam for recording video. 720 and above can display in HD; values below display in SD.
    720