All iPads 4k files

[max2]

Oldest iPad to support 4k files smoothly in playback?

 

[hovscorpion12]

iPad Air 2

 

[rui no onna]

iPad Air 2

Codec and bitrate?

Iirc, the Apple A8X doesn't support hardware accelerated HEVC decode so 4K HEVC would need to be brute force.

 

[EugW]

iPad Air 2

No. iPad Air 2 not recommended.

Codec and bitrate?

Iirc, the Apple A8X doesn't support hardware accelerated HEVC decode so 4K HEVC would need to be brute force.

Correct. Lots of stuttering on some 4K HEVC files. And even when it doesn't stutter, it hits the CPU hard, meaning horrible battery life.

Recommended is A9 or better, so either 2016 iPad Pro 9.7" (A9X) or 2017 iPad 5th gen (A9).

 

[AutomaticApple]

Recommended is A9 or better, so either 2016 iPad Pro 9.7" (A9X) or 2017 iPad 5th gen (A9).

You can buy the 5th generation iPad for a fairly cheap price on Amazon or eBay.