iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2012
iPad (4th generation)
A surprise mid-cycle refresh just seven months after the 3rd gen, adding the Lightning connector and a much faster A6X.
Swapped the 30-pin dock for Lightning and doubled CPU/GPU speed.
iPad Air (2013)
iPad (4th generation): key facts
When was the iPad (4th generation) released?
The iPad (4th generation) arrived on November 2, 2012. Apple discontinued it in October 2014.
How much did the iPad (4th generation) cost?
The iPad (4th generation) launched at $499 in 2012, about $699 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A6X at 1.40 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 display.
Why does the iPad (4th generation) matter?
Swapped the 30-pin dock for Lightning and doubled CPU/GPU speed.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A6X · 1.40 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX554MP4 |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 652 g |
| Dimensions | 241.2×185.7×9.4 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 6 |
| Released | November 2, 2012 |
| Discontinued | October 2014 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the iPad (4th generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 16× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.40 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2012, about $699 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Early 3rd-gen buyers were not thrilled to be obsoleted so quickly.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad (4th generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11