Apple iPad 6th Generation Review

While there's no denying that the iPad Pro range is one of the best tablets on the market, the iPad 9.7 is an unsung hero. The sophisticated tablet clearly prioritises function and performance over form and power, sacrificing the punch of the Pro range for Apple Pencil capability and coveted A10 chipset. When combined with a roomy high-resolution display and expansive app store, you can’t go wrong with the refurbished 6th gen iPad.

Make your life easier with the Apple pencil

We’ve already touched on the iconic Apple Pencil, which adds a deceptively exciting dimension to the iPad 6th Gen. This allows you to write legibly on the tablet’s ample display, with the pencil’s tip able to glide seamlessly across the surface and craft concise shapes. It’s also compatible with a number of education apps available on iOS, including the iWork Suite that enables you to mark-up documents in various colours.

Introducing the A10 Fusion Chip

As an inherently functional app, it stands to reason that the iPad 6th Gen should also boast considerable power. This is thanks in part to the introduction of Apple’s cutting-edge, A10 Fusion chip, which elevates the tablet’s performance to a similar level of the A10X processor. This is also combined with an impressive 2GB of RAM, and while this number may have been dwarfed by recent tablet launches it provides more than enough power for even extensive everyday use.

A bright display that’s always ready to go

While this device doesn’t support HDR in the same way as those in the iPad Pro range, this doesn’t detract from the overall experience when using the display. In fact, the screen on the iPad 6th Gen is bright, legible and appealing, while it functions particularly well in virtually any light setting. The display also boasts a more than adequate resolution of 1536x2048, which in turn brings a pixel density of 264ppi. Although this is fairly standard in Apple devices, it’s ideal for a device that will be typically used further away from your face than a smartphone.

Battery performance comparable with better models

It’s fair to say that the battery performance on the iPad 6th Gen is deceptively impressive, with this tablet able to last for between three and four days on a single charge. In fact, the power pack on the iPad 9.7 performed just as well as the iPad Pro 10.5 during testing, with both tablets achieving an almost identical score of 2620 according to the Geekbench 4 metrics. Efficient and powerful, this battery allows for superior tablet performance and ensures that you’re unlikely to run out of juice at the worst possible times.

An 8MP rear camera that’s perfect for pics

Ultimately, the camera on a tablet is typically less important than a smartphone, primarily due to the challenges of taking a selfie with a relatively cumbersome device.However, the 8MP rear (or portrait) camera on the iPad 6th Gen is excellent, and capable of capturing clear and bright images in optimal light.

The 9.7 model arguably offers superior value for money than some devices in the iPad Pro range too, particularly if you can find a use for the Apple Pencil or like to enjoy extended gaming sessions that require robust battery performance. All in all, there’s not much not to like about a refurbished iPad 6.

5 real life highlights

1. Text and draw with ease with the optional Apple Pencil
2. Experience unlimited power with the integration of the A10 Fusion chipset (of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus fame)
3. Go for three to four days between charges thanks to the 8,827mAh power pack
4. The 8MP rear camera, in conjunction with the A10 chipset, allows for the capture of super slow-motion footage and panoramic scenes
5. Pass the time with more than 200,000 compatible educational apps through the iPad 6th Gen tablet