All iPads iPads have the worst battery performance

[bscheffel]

iPad is really in need of some battery improvements. As a product, the iPad has been eclipsed by all other Apple products with a screen and I am now more likely to need a charge before end of day for iPad over all other products.

iPad/Mini/Air/Pro - 9-10 hours

Macbook Air - 15-18 hours

Macbook Pro 13 - 17-20 hours

Macbook Pro 14 - 11-17 hours

Macbook Pro 16 - 14-21 hours

iPhone 13 Mini- 13-17 hours

IPhone 13 - 15-19 hours

iPhone 13 Pro - 20-22 hours

iphone 13 pro Max - 25-28 hours

iPhone SE. - 10-15 hours

Apple Watch - 18 hours

 

[rui no onna]

iPad is really in need of some battery improvements. As a product, the iPad has been eclipsed by all other Apple products with a screen and I am now more likely to need a charge before end of day for iPad over all other products.

iPad/Mini/Air/Pro - 9-10 hours

iPhone SE. - 10-15 hours

I don’t know if you have the SE but at least in my experience, I still get better battery life from the iPad versus the iPhone SE3.

 

[bscheffel]

I don’t know if you have the SE but at least in my experience, I still get better battery life from the iPad versus the iPhone SE3.

Even if true I wouldn’t call it much of a victory that iPad beats only the budget iPhone with a years old design

 

[Apple_Robert]

I get excellent battery with my iPad Pro 11 inch 2020.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Agreed. One of the main reasons to have an iPad was battery life but once the M1 hit MacBooks and the IPP 13 Pro models got ProMotion to increase battery life you can’t help but wonder how Apple will win over future iPad owners.

 

[lostPod]

I recall my ipad 4 being able to be on for a week or more -- ipad pro not so much

 

[rui no onna]

Agreed. One of the main reasons to have an iPad was battery life but once the M1 hit MacBooks and the IPP 13 Pro models got ProMotion to increase battery life you can’t help but wonder how Apple will win over future iPad owners.

Apple can’t perform magic though. MacBooks have bigger batteries. Even iPhone battery capacities have almost doubled.

Meanwhile, iPads have smaller batteries compared to some older iPad generations. Energy savings from increased power efficiency has gone to making iPads thinner, smaller and lighter.

 

[Mark Stone]

iPad is really in need of some battery improvements. As a product, the iPad has been eclipsed by all other Apple products with a screen and I am now more likely to need a charge before end of day for iPad over all other products.

iPad/Mini/Air/Pro - 9-10 hours

Macbook Air - 15-18 hours

Macbook Pro 13 - 17-20 hours

Macbook Pro 14 - 11-17 hours

Macbook Pro 16 - 14-21 hours

iPhone 13 Mini- 13-17 hours

IPhone 13 - 15-19 hours

iPhone 13 Pro - 20-22 hours

iphone 13 pro Max - 25-28 hours

iPhone SE. - 10-15 hours

Apple Watch - 18 hours

I’m curious what your source is for these numbers? I routinely get much more out of my 3 iDevices.

 

[mukiex]

I thoroughly appreciate a world where "10 hours" is "the worst battery life".

Realistically, don't expect it to change. Laptops, historically, have like 5-6 hours of battery life, and the main reason iPad loses out is because the Macbooks effectively, literally have iPad CPUs in them now.

At the end of the day, the iPad lineup has always had to fight weight, and there is a line that Apple won't cross, so don't expect this to get any better, barring an improvement in energy efficiency for the chipset or battery density on a per-gram basis.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Apple can’t perform magic though. MacBooks have bigger batteries. Even iPhone battery capacities have almost doubled.

Meanwhile, iPads have smaller batteries compared to some older iPad generations. Energy savings from increased power efficiency has gone to making iPads thinner, smaller and lighter.

I hear you but go to the Apple website and compare tablets. The oldest tablet they have to compare is the iPad Mini 2 (2013) and it has the same battery life as the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021). Additionally, if you cycle through all the models they all have the EXACT same battery life…since 2013 which is almost 10yrs ago.

 

[perezr10]

iPad is really in need of some battery improvements. As a product, the iPad has been eclipsed by all other Apple products with a screen and I am now more likely to need a charge before end of day for iPad over all other products.

iPad/Mini/Air/Pro - 9-10 hours

Macbook Air - 15-18 hours

Macbook Pro 13 - 17-20 hours

Macbook Pro 14 - 11-17 hours

Macbook Pro 16 - 14-21 hours

iPhone 13 Mini- 13-17 hours

IPhone 13 - 15-19 hours

iPhone 13 Pro - 20-22 hours

iphone 13 pro Max - 25-28 hours

iPhone SE. - 10-15 hours

Apple Watch - 18 hours

Yeah, I have the funny feeling that my older iPads from the early years had a longer lasting battery. But to be fair, the OS back then was severely limited compared to today.

I would like longer battery life but if it didn’t make the iPad heavier. I charge my iPad every night so it’s kind of a moot point for me except for when I travel. One of the reasons I prefer my iPad Pro over my MacBook Air is that the iPad is so much lighter.

 

[mukiex]

Additionally, if you cycle through all the models they all have the EXACT same battery life…since 2013 which is almost 10yrs ago.

Right, but are they running the EXACT same workloads?
I mean, chances are, you were playing 1080p Youtube on the original iPad Air and 4k on the 5th generation model today. I would legitimately like to see what the battery life differences are between the Air models 1 through 5 on identical workloads. You know, 40 hour videos playing on all 5 models, the same looping game benchmark, etc., until their batteries give out.

I really doubt the A7-equipped 2013 model is going to see anything resembling the battery life of the M1 unit.

 

[rui no onna]

I hear you but if you go the Apple website and compare tablets. The oldest tablet they have to compare is the iPad Mini 2 (2013) and it has the same battery life as the iPad Pro 12.9” (2021). Additionally, if you cycle through all the models they all have the EXACT same battery life…since 2013 which is almost 10yrs ago.

iPad 4: 42.5 Wh

M1 iPad Pro 11: 28.7 Wh

M1 iPad Pro 12.9: 41.2 Wh

Funnily enough, I think the iPad 4 was the only one model where Apple listed “Over 10 hours” for battery life.

Mind, I tend to get higher than the 10 hours advertised with my typical usage and settings. The iPad Air 3 (A12) and iPad 9 (A13) in particular give me notably better battery life.

 

[rui no onna]

Right, but are they running the EXACT same workloads?

That’s certainly a consideration, too.

I remember a lot of websites were just wonky with Mobile Safari. On the upside, fewer ads, too and most of those were static. Nowadays, Safari on iPadOS is practically unusable without an ad blocker.

 

[bscheffel]

I’m curious what your source is for these numbers? I routinely get much more out of my 3 iDevices.

Apples website tech specs

 

[bscheffel]

Apple can’t perform magic though. MacBooks have bigger batteries. Even iPhone battery capacities have almost doubled.

Meanwhile, iPads have smaller batteries compared to some older iPad generations. Energy savings from increased power efficiency has gone to making iPads thinner, smaller and lighter.

iPhones have been getting thicker and heavier too. Maybe it’s time for iPad to do the same. I would have traded the extra thickness of the 2021 iPadPro for more battery instead of mini LED myself

 

[sparksd]

iPhones have been getting thicker and heavier too. Maybe it’s time for iPad to do the same. I would have traded the extra thickness of the 2021 iPadPro for more battery instead of mini LED myself

Definitely will vary among users. I would rather have the thinner, lighter iPad with mini LED (which I do) and in those very rare occasions where battery life may be an issue, I'll take a battery pack or charger.

 

[rui no onna]

iPhones have been getting thicker and heavier too. Maybe it’s time for iPad to do the same. I would have traded the extra thickness of the 2021 iPadPro for more battery instead of mini LED myself

No thanks. I'd rather they keep the weight loss from the old style iPads. 10 hours is still pretty decent anyway.

 

[bscheffel]

No thanks. I'd rather they keep the weight loss from the old style iPads. 10 hours is still pretty decent anyway.

Curious if you feel the same way about iPhone? They have been getting thicker and heavier every year since the X Some really don’t mind if it gives all 20+ hours battery life.

 

[TightLines]

For me, with the last version of an 11” iPad Pro, I certainly know that what they put in their specs is very misleading and a misrepresentation. Apple says “Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video”. Thats not been my experience unless the CYA on that statement is “up to”…. Doing just what Apple describes, along with maybe messaging and e-mail in the mix as well… i am lucky to get even half that, and more likely to only get 4hrs or less from a 100% down to a 1% and auto shutdown. My previous device (9.7” iPad - 6th Gen) that i recently retired due to battery charging issues, wasn’t much better or worse.

On both, i used keyboard & mouse - the old device was a Bluetooth Logitech Magic and Apple Magic Mouse, and the Pro is using the Magic magnetic Keyboard/Folio with the Apple Magic Mouse.

Again - just doing normal, but continuous activity, needing to charge after 3hrs use is normal… i just need to keep a long cable and quick charger with me at all times.

 

[rui no onna]

Curious if you feel the same way about iPhone? They have been getting thicker and heavier every year since the X Some really don’t mind if it gives all 20+ hours battery life.

As mentioned, I have an iPhone SE (and a 12 mini that gives me headaches). I think the answer's obvious enough.

 

[cygy2k]

For me, with the last version of an 11” iPad Pro, I certainly know that what they put in their specs is very misleading and a misrepresentation. Apple says “Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video”. Thats not been my experience unless the CYA on that statement is “up to”…. Doing just what Apple describes, along with maybe messaging and e-mail in the mix as well… i am lucky to get even half that, and more likely to only get 4hrs or less from a 100% down to a 1% and auto shutdown. My previous device (9.7” iPad - 6th Gen) that i recently retired due to battery charging issues, wasn’t much better or worse.

On both, i used keyboard & mouse - the old device was a Bluetooth Logitech Magic and Apple Magic Mouse, and the Pro is using the Magic magnetic Keyboard/Folio with the Apple Magic Mouse.

Again - just doing normal, but continuous activity, needing to charge after 3hrs use is normal… i just need to keep a long cable and quick charger with me at all times.

Apple's battery estimates are actually conservative normally. I have and know several others that have the 11" M1 and can tell you that you are very much in the minority with 4 hrs or less unless you have 100% brightness on and are on some magical futuristic website that is running 20 4k videos. Either you're way misrepresenting the data or you have a faulty device - there is no in between here as this isn't a matter of opinion but actual data.

Example - my M1 gets about 10.5 hours of Safari browsing with the brightness at 50%, wifi and bluetooth on, and occasional multi-tasking. That is pretty average for my friends as well.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Battery life stated by Apple on their website is from laboratory settings that is not generally representative of consumer use. As such, it is not guaranteed that any person will get X amount of hours every time. This same kind of information has been posted for a decade. It really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Be an informed buyer and chances are you will have a lot less to complain about after the fact.

From the Apple website.

"

1. Testing conducted by Apple in February 2022 using preproduction iPad Air (5th generation) units and software. Testing consisted of full battery discharge while performing each of the following tasks: video playback and internet browsing using Wi‑Fi or cellular data network (cellular models subscribed to LTE and 5G carrier networks). Video content was a repeated 2‑hour 23‑minute movie purchased from the iTunes Store. Internet over Wi‑Fi and cellular data network tests were conducted using dedicated web servers, browsing snapshot versions of 20 popular web pages. All settings were default except: Wi‑Fi was associated with a network (except for internet browsing over cellular data network); the Wi‑Fi feature Ask to Join Networks and Auto-Brightness were turned off; Brightness was set to 50%; and WPA2 encryption was enabled. Battery life depends on device settings, usage, network, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPad units; actual results may vary.

 

[TightLines]

Apple's battery estimates are actually conservative normally. I have and know several others that have the 11" M1 and can tell you that you are very much in the minority with 4 hrs or less unless you have 100% brightness on and are on some magical futuristic website that is running 20 4k videos. Either you're way misrepresenting the data or you have a faulty device - there is no in between here as this isn't a matter of opinion but actual data.

Example - my M1 gets about 10.5 hours of Safari browsing with the brightness at 50%, wifi and bluetooth on, and occasional multi-tasking. That is pretty average for my friends as well.

I do have my brightness setup at 100%, as i did with my previous iPad too… I find it makes my viewing experience better. Also, multi-tasking is virtually 100% of the time too; I don’t just sit and watch a movie… or rarely do. I am in and out of several apps all the time, chatting, doing e-mails, browsing web and reading, along with watching youtube videos… this is what i call normal… So, are you suggesting that alone would attribute to the rapid depletion. Further, I have no reason whatsoever to misrepresent anything about what I say my experience is or has been… doing so would not benefit me in any way that I know of, so it puzzles me that you would even suggest that I could be doing that without knowing more about me or my situation.

Thanks for your opinion though... I respect it even if i don’t subscribe to the same.

 

[jagolden]

iPP 12.9 lasts more than a day of use including lots of photo manipulation.
iPad Mini 5 last 7am to 9-10am next day with very heavy media use.
I shouldn’t make a general statement but from years of reading posts concerning this subject, I find that many people run the screen brightness right up to 100% - that’s a big battery drain right there.