IPad (3rd generation)

This article is about the iPad that first featured the Retina display. For the iPad marketed as "iPad with Retina display", see iPad (4th generation).
Not to be confused with iPad Mini 3, iPad Air (3rd generation), or iPad Pro (3rd generation).

The iPad (3rd generation)[1] (marketed as the new iPad,[2] colloquially referred to as the iPad 3)[3][4][5] is a tablet computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the third device in the iPad line of tablets. It added a Retina Display, the new Apple A5X chip with a quad-core graphics processor, a 5-megapixel camera, HD 1080p video recording, voice dictation, and support for LTE networks in North America.[6] It shipped with iOS 5, which provides a platform for audio-visual media, including electronic books, periodicals, films, music, computer games, presentations and web browsing.[7]

iPad 3
The logo of the third-generation iPad, reading: "The new iPad"
A picture of the third-generation iPad
iPad 3 in black
DeveloperApple Inc.
ManufacturerFoxconn
Product familyiPad
TypeTablet computer
Generation3rd
Release date
March 16, 2012 (2012-03-16)
  • Singapore
  • France
  • Hong Kong
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Japan
  • Canada
  • United States
  • Australia
March 23, 2012 (2012-03-23)
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Romania
April 20, 2012 (2012-04-20)
  • South Korea
  • Brunei
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Malaysia
  • Panama
  • Saint Martin
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
April 27, 2012 (2012-04-27)
  • Colombia
  • Estonia
  • India
  • Israel
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Montenegro
  • South Africa
  • Thailand
May 5, 2012 (2012-05-05)
  • Turkey
May 11, 2012 (2012-05-11)
  • Argentina
  • Aruba
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Cambodia
  • Chile
  • Costa Rica
  • Curacao
  • Ecuador
  • French Guiana
  • Guadeloupe
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Madagascar
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Peru
  • Taiwan
  • Tunisia
  • Vietnam
May 12, 2012 (2012-05-12)
  • Bahrain
  • Egypt
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
May 25, 2012 (2012-05-25)
  • Russia
May 29, 2012 (2012-05-29)
  • Guam
  • Philippines
June 26, 2012 (2012-06-26)
  • Indonesia
July 20, 2012 (2012-07-20)
  • China
Introductory price$499
DiscontinuedOctober 23, 2012 (2012-10-23)
Units sold3 million in first three days[8]
Operating systemOriginal: iOS 5.1
Last: Wi-Fi only model: iOS 9.3.5, released August 25, 2016 (2016-08-25)
Wi-Fi + Cellular model: iOS 9.3.6, released July 22, 2019 (2019-07-22)
System on a chipApple A5X
CPU1 GHz[9] dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
Memory1 GB LPDDR2 RAM[9]
Storage16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB
Display9.7 inches (250 mm) 2,048 × 1,536 px color IPS LCD display at (264 ppi)[7] with a 4:3 aspect ratio
GraphicsPowerVR SGX543MP4
SoundFrequency response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Audio Formats: HE-AAC (V1 and V2), AAC (8 to 320 kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (8 to 320 kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 & 4, AEA, AAX, and AAX+), ALAC, AIFF, and WAV[7]
InputMulti-touch touch screen, headset controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis gyroscope, microphone, magnetometer, accelerometer, Assisted GPS + cellular Micro-SIM card tray (cellular model only)
CameraFront: FaceTime 0.3 MP camera with VGA-quality photos and video
Back: 5 MP iSight camera with 1080p video capture at 30 frame/s
ConnectivityAll models: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, Apple 30-pin dock connector
Wi-Fi + Cellular model（A1430）: also includes GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), LTE (700, 2100 MHz)
Wi-Fi + Cellular model（A1403） on Verizon also includes EvDO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz), and LTE (700 MHz)
PowerInternal rechargeable non-removable 3.7 V 43 W·h (11,560 mA·h)[9] lithium-ion polymer battery
Online servicesiTunes Store, App Store, MobileMe, iBookstore, Game Center, iCloud
Dimensions9.50 in (241 mm) (height)
7.31 in (186 mm) (width)
0.37 in (9.4 mm) (depth)
MassWi-Fi model: 1.44 lb (650 g)
Wi-Fi + Cellular model: 1.46 lb (660 g)
PredecessoriPad 2
SuccessoriPad (4th generation)
Websitewww.apple.com/ipad/ at the Wayback Machine (archived July 21, 2012)
This article is part of a series on the
iPad
List of iPad models

Six variations of the third-generation iPad were offered, compared to nine in the United States and Canada, although some countries had only the Wi-Fi only model. Each variation was available with black or white front glass panels, with options for 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage.[10] In North America, connectivity options were Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi + 4G (LTE) on Verizon, AT&T, Telus, Rogers, or Bell.[8] For the rest of the world outside North America, connectivity options are Wi-Fi only (on the Wi-Fi model) or Wi-Fi + 3G (on the Wi-Fi + Cellular model), with the latter unavailable in some countries, as 4G (LTE) connectivity for the device is not available outside North America. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model includes GPS capability.

Initially, the cellular version was titled and marketed worldwide as the "Wi-Fi + 4G" model, but due to regional differences in classification of 4G (LTE) connectivity outside of North America, Apple later rebranded and altered their marketing to call this the "Wi-Fi + Cellular" model.[11][12][13]

The tablet was released in ten countries on March 16, 2012.[14] It gained mostly positive reviews, earning praise for its Retina display, processor and 4G (LTE) capabilities.[15][16][17][18][19] However, controversy arose when the LTE incompatibilities became known.[20] Three million units were sold in the first three days.[8][21]

After only seven months (221 days) of official availability, the third-generation iPad was discontinued on October 23, 2012, following the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad. The third-generation iPad had the shortest lifespan of any iOS product.[22] It was the last iPad to support the 30-pin dock connector, as the fourth-generation to ninth-generation iPad use the Lightning connector.

  1. ^ "iPad (3rd generation) - Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Apple - The new iPad - It's brilliant from the outside in". June 30, 2012. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. ^ White, Joe (March 6, 2012). "Lets's talk iPad Names – iPad 3, iPad 2S, or iPad HD?". AppAdvice. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  4. ^ Christ, Ginger (March 18, 2012). "Apple iPad 3 demand 'chaotic'". Dayton Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  5. ^ O'Grady, Jason (March 20, 2012). "Five great games that push the iPad 3's Retina display". ZDNet. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  6. ^ "Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G". GSMarena. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ipadspec was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c "New iPad Tops Three Million" (Press release). Apple. March 19, 2012. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "iPad 3 4G Teardown". iFixit. March 15, 2012. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  10. ^ 1 GB = one billion bytes
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference SMH removal of 4G tag 1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference TR removal of 4G tag 1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference pcworld AU no 4G 1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Zeman, Eric (March 14, 2012). "Apple Opens Doors Early For Friday's iPad Launch". Information Week. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference engadgettim was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference PCWorldreview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference SpiraReview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference MSNGadget was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference ipad3crreview was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Campbell, Mikey (March 9, 2012). "New iPad 4G LTE incompatible with networks outside North America". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  21. ^ Wasserman, Todd (March 19, 2012). "Apple Sold 3 Million iPads Opening Weekend". Mashable. Mashable. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  22. ^ D'Orazio, Dante (October 23, 2012). "3rd Generation iPad discontinued, refurbished models available starting at $379". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2012.