iPad iPad 8 128GB for 430€ or iPad 9 256GB for 509€?

[Sensamic]

This will be my next iPad coming from the 6th Gen.

The best part of the 9 is, obviously, the A13, but I tested today the 8 and the A12 feels really smooth. Is there much improvement in terms of CPU between A12 and A13 to warrant the extra cost for future-proofing?

I’d like to keep this iPad for 4 years at least, and good performance is key, but we’re talking about a big price difference between the models described in the title, mainly because I don’t need 256GB. I’m good with 128GB, and the design is the same and same RAM.

Center stage and True Tone are nice but not essential. The most essential to me is CPU and RAM for longevity.

 

[Sensamic]

How much better is A13 vs A12?

 

[Howard2k]

Apple A13 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Apple states that the two high performance cores are 20% faster with 30% lower power consumption than the Apple A12's, and the four high efficiency cores are 20% faster with 40% lower power consumption than the A12's.

 

[rui no onna]

If the front camera isn't a consideration, then the iPad 8 128GB should be fine if you'd rather save the money.

 

[wilberforce]

Older processors tend to lose iOS support earlier.

For example iPhone 6s (A9 processor) will run iOS 15, whereas iPhone 6 (A8 processor) can only run iOS 12. Three years longer!

However the A9 processor was a huge performance increase over the A8 (like 70% increase), whereas the A13 is only about 20% increase over A12 (I believe).

I would guess that A12 might lose iOS support a year earlier than A13. Or it might not. Just something to consider if you might keep it longer than 4 years or so.

Of course, losing latest iOS support does not mean it stops functioning - you just don't get the latest iOS tweaks and features. You still get the security updates for a long time.

 

[rui no onna]

Older processors tend to lose iOS support earlier.

For example iPhone 6s (A9 processor) will run iOS 15, whereas iPhone 6 (A8 processor) can only run iOS 12. Three years longer!

However the A9 processor was a huge performance increase over the A8 (like 70% increase), whereas the A13 is only about 20% increase over A12 (I believe).

I would guess that A12 might lose iOS support a year earlier than A13. Or it might not. Just something to consider if you might keep it longer than 4 years or so.

Of course, losing latest iOS support does not mean it stops functioning - you just don't get the latest iOS tweaks and features. You still get the security updates for a long time.

Technically, A8 vs A9 was RAM cutoff. The iPad mini 4 with A8/2GB will run iPadOS 15.

As mentioned though, the CPU/GPU jump from A12 to A13 is notably smaller than the one from A8 to A9.

 

[Frankras]

You will be just fine with the iPad 8, coming from iPad 6.But that said, if You have the extra cash go for the iPad 9 for the newer cpu. Always good to have som extra power if you want to keep it for long time.

Frank

 

[omzig]

a13 gpu is 50% faster than a12 in gfxbench aztec ruins high offscreen.