iPad A12 Bionic 2020

All iPad (8th Gen) devices, including this Wi-Fi and cellular A2430 model sold exclusively in mainland China, are housed in white and gold, white and silver, or black and "Space Gray" cases. They feature a 10.2" 2160x1620 (264 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive "Retina" display. Each includes a "Touch ID" sensor, supports the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A), and has a "Smart Connector" for an Apple Smart Keyboard.

Each iPad (8th Gen) is powered by a six-core 2.49 GHz Apple A12 Bionic processor, has 3 GB of RAM, and comes with either 32 GB or 128 GB of flash storage.

Other key features include dual cameras: a rear 8-megapixel camera for stills, Live Photos, and 1080p 30 fps video, and a front 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills, Live Photos, and 720p video. It also supports dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2, plus stereo speakers. A Lightning port provides power and connectivity.

Battery life for this cellular-capable model is rated at 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video" and up to 9 hours on a cellular network.

This mainland China-only A2430 model supports GPS/GNSS, GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, and LTE bands 1-5, 7, 8, 11-14, 17-21, 25, 26, 28-30, 34, 38-41, and 66. It does not support Band 71 (600 MHz). It has a Nano-SIM slot but does not support Apple SIM or eSIM.

The 8th generation iPad for mainland China (A2430) was evaluated as a very strong value, thanks almost entirely to its upgraded processor. The move to the A12 Bionic chip brought a significant performance improvement, making the base iPad feel much snappier and more capable for a wider range of tasks, including light gaming and AR apps. This model's cellular support was tailored for Chinese networks, ensuring dependable connectivity for local users. However, the device was otherwise a very modest update, retaining the dated design, the same 10.2-inch non-laminated display, and the same camera system as its predecessor. The 32GB starting storage was also seen as a major limitation. Despite these unchanged elements, the substantial speed boost from the A12 chip made it a compelling and affordable option for students and families in the Chinese market.