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My guess with keeping A10 and Retina is they didn't want to blur the lines with Air and Pro. There has to be some clear technical differences as upgrade steps to justify higher prices.
This is the reason, but it's just hilarious they purposefully gimped the processor for this.
 
This is the reason, but it's just hilarious they purposefully gimped the processor for this.

Agree. My theory is they see entry-level iPad buyers as not all that technically savvy or sophisticated, interested more in screens size and price than processors, memory, etc.
 
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I think ipad processors will now differentiate from iPhone chips base on their software. With ipadOS it’s likely that support for iPad devices will have no bearing on when iOS (iPhone) devices stop being supported. It’s entirely possible that the A10 in the iPhone 7 (iOS) could lose support before the A10 found in ipad’s running iPadOS which for all intents will be a software still in its infancy for the next few years.
 
This is just making fun of people who don't understand, nothing more.
Have you used the current base model iPads? I currently own an xs max and a 6th gen iPad and am more than happy with the performance of the A10 chip inside the ipad

and if the rumours are true that the 7th gen has 3gb if ram as well, then that will help future proof it more than enough for the average user.

even plays pubg at max settings no issues.
 
I think ipad processors will now differentiate from iPhone chips base on their software. With ipadOS it’s likely that support for iPad devices will have no bearing on when iOS (iPhone) devices stop being supported. It’s entirely possible that the A10 in the iPhone 7 (iOS) could lose support before the A10 found in ipad’s running iPadOS which for all intents will be a software still in its infancy for the next few years.
I sure hope not, considering that the 3 GB iPhone 7 Plus needs less graphics oomph than a 2 GB iPad 6th generation.

If anything, the iPhone 7 Plus should get iOS for longer than the iPad.
 
I think there is a marketing strategy that's different between base level models and higher lines, that's all. Not saying anything negative about anyone or group.
Much in the same way there are cheap Atom Chromebooks and netbooks, midrange laptops and gaming or workstation level ones, we're getting the same differentiation on iPads. Except the 5th gen and 6th gen iPads are way better than any netbook I've used.

Heck, I have a coworker who bought a $199 Atom netbook (I advised against it) back in 2013 or 14 which he ended up returning. His kids said it was slower than their freakin' iPad 3 (A5X/512MB).

The Air 2 on iOS 12 is actually still faster than any netbook I've had the displeasure of using despite the Air 2 being noticeably laggier than iPad 5 & 6.
 
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