I have been using the iPad 7 generation for almost three years. Is it possible to buy one from hand in 2022

Lately, I’ve been seeing less and less regular iPads. Many are switching to the iPhone from the Pro Max family and forget about the basic Apple tablets. At least when it comes to content consumption, not iPad Pro Pro use.

I do not share such beliefs. It seems more logical to own a tablet with a large screen and an iPhone convenient for one hand. At the beginning of 2022 enjoy every day of using my 7th generation iPad from 2019. Top device.

The tablet has been in my hands for almost 3 years, but I still need to change it No meaning. For active consumption of content and its head on.

Note: all pictures from this material are intentionally taken on the iPhone 11 (our review).

The classic iPad button design is still timeless

iPad looks quite modern even in a protective case

I don’t know how much longer this will last, but in basic tablets, Apple still clings to the classic design. This also applies to the current 9th generation iPad, which is actually no different from my 7th. I believe this trend for a couple more years.

The square screen with a physical home button at the bottom is framed by relatively wide frames, which are convenient to hold the gadget while reading. When it is held upright by the case-stand, the side parts also do not interfere at all.

Interestingthat connoisseurs will instantly recognize an old model in my iPad. The fact is that in current Apple tablets, they abandoned the white color of the front panel. Now it can only be black, even with a silver back.

Carrying up to 500 grams of weight is also quite comfortable. However, my device today is most often at home.

There are almost no traces of use on the tablet case.

In almost 3 years, my iPad 7th generation is still is in perfect condition. Despite active use, I could not find a single scratch on the surface of the screen or case. However, he, in principle, did not see any extreme.

In the experience of using the iPhone 11, which I am not changing yet, I have already noted that I consider silver Apple devices to be the most practical today. They are not so quickly covered with scratches and chips due to the lack of any coating for aluminum.

In general, the 7th generation iPad is a classic of the genre. By and large, it repeats the form factor of the very first iPad.

Air gap screen lacks True Tone

The screen looks very good even under the sun

Apple launched a line of conditionally “basic” tablets along with the release of the 5th generation iPad, which actually took the place of the iPad Air 2. In order to reduce the final cost, he received a lot of compromises, including simplifying the display.

The main misunderstanding, which still persists, was the air gap between the screen and the protective glass. It is very difficult to photograph, but when viewed, it is clearly visible. The picture does not lie under the fingers.

However, here it is like with a cutout for TrueDepth in the screens of current iPhones. On him pay attention only in the first minutes.

The screen can be adjusted through light filters, but they will not change depending on the lighting

Another thing is True Tone technology. Its absence on my 7th generation iPad is clearly visible if you activate this feature on iPhone and Mac. Indoors, the difference in white balance is striking. Instead of a pleasant muting, you get an annoying blue.

So that the absence of True Tone is not so noticeable, only on the iPad I use a dark interface design theme. Works.

Important note: a complaint about basic tablets until the latest generation is the lack of True Tone. It’s good that the 9th generation iPad has already added smart white balance control based on ambient light.

The A10 Fusion chip still lacks performance

An old chipset works inside the case, but it is enough for most tasks.

To evaluate the performance of Apple mobile devices, it is important to understand what tasks they are typically used for. This applies not only to the more popular iPhones of any generation, but also to various iPads.

If the tablet fits the role of the working tool for any professional activity, I recommend paying attention to the chipset. If you have the right budget, your best bet is to consider the iPad Pro on the M1. It is enough for any task.

However, for professional work, I have a MacBook Air on the M1. It is great for working with text, as well as simple layout, which, along with a small business, I already do before I fully master React.js and Node.js.

The 7th generation iPad on the Apple A10 Fusion, which was first used in the iPhone 7 (Plus), handles all my questions. On my tablet, I watch videos on YouTube and other sites, read books, and take notes with my Apple Pencil.

For all of the above the power of the gadget is enough with the head. Moreover, I usually have it on test iPadOS.

Without LTE norms, but you can’t take less than 128 GB today

Even without content, I have almost 30 GB crammed, everything else takes care of movies and TV shows on the road

Today, I don’t see much point in an iPad with a cellular module. Still, such a device, as I myself see, is usually used in a room where there is Wi-Fi. In other cases, mobile Internet can be distributed to a tablet via a smartphone.

An exception, perhaps, can only be considered the current iPad mini, which involves the most mobile format for use at a convenient time and anywhere. It is logical to buy this one with LTE support and use it instead of the iPhone.

With the amount of memory specifically, I have a different story. I often watch movies and series on the iPad on the road, so less than 128 GB in storage is not recommended. By the way, the same amount, if you don’t get involved in shooting video, is enough for me on the iPhone.

Autonomy is enough for a day of content consumption

Battery condition is still good

In almost 3 years with the 7th generation iPad, it has 392 recharge cycles. Therefore, the device was charged every 2-3 days. During this time, the battery status dropped to 90%. Today the gadget is quite enough for average day of video reading.

It turns out that the replacement of the battery in the gadget will be required in another 2-3 years. Just this time it will still be possible to use it quite comfortably. And then you can change to something more recent. If there is a desire.

It turns out that the life cycle of such a gadget is at the level of 5-6 years. Given the availability of the device, the figure is excellent.

Instead of a conclusion: everything described above is as short as possible

Such a tablet can still be safely taken on the secondary

❶ Design: classic Apple design is still more than relevant. And yes, the body is holding up well.

❷ Display: individual pixels are not visible, and the air gap between the glass and the matrix does not irritate at all. Only lack of True Tone infuriates. When you use it on all other gadgets, such a misunderstanding is annoying.

❸ Speed: the vintage chipset does an excellent job with the operating system and simple software. For complex software, I would take the iPad Pro on the M1 myself, but for watching videos, handwritten recordings, the speed is enough.

❹ Equipment: for such a device, the presence of LTE is optional, but I recommend 128 GB in storage.

❺ Autonomy: after almost 3 years the condition of the battery is 90%. The “cherished” 80% is still a couple of years away. Great!

The 7th generation iPad in the secondary market is very possible to take. The main thing is to understand that it is definitely not suitable for complex tasks. This is an additional screen for viewing everything in a row at home and in the office. You can also make a second monitor for Mac. It will be normal.