What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 8th Gen (2020) models?

Please note that the iPad 8th Gen models all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with current iOS details and more. It can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these tablets on the used market.

There are four iPad 8th Gen models -- the iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA), iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), and iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China) -- often collectively called the iPad 8 for brevity.

These four tablets vary by location sold, network connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price. There are a number of similarities that are worthwhile to understand, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 8th Generation)

Device Similarities

All iPad 8 models use essentially the same -- increasingly vintage -- design, with a glass front with bezels around the display and an aluminum back. All four configurations weigh around a pound, with the cellular-equipped devices a bit heavier than the Wi-Fi only one. All are compatible with the original Apple Pencil (MK0C2AM/A) as well as a size-specific Apple Smart Keyboard (MPTL2LL/A) that connects via "Smart Connector" to the iPad.

Case color options include a white front and silver colored back, a white front and gold colored back, or a black front and "Space Gray" back.

All iPad 8 models share the same screen, which is a glossy 10.2" IPS LED-backlit 2160x1620 (264 ppi) display with an "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coating. It does not have an antireflective surface nor is the display laminated.

The iPad 8 models are powered by a 2.49 GHz six-core Apple A12 Bionic processor with a Neural Engine. They have 3 GB of RAM and can be configured with either 32 GB or 128 GB of storage.

Likewise, all iPad 8 models use the same cameras -- a rear 8 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills, Live Photos, and 1080p 30 fps video and a front 1.2 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills and 720p video.

Other features that all of the iPad 8 models share include a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button, a "Lightning" port for power and connectivity, support for dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO (backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), and Bluetooth 4.2. They each also have identical accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass and barometer functionality.

iOS Support Similarities

The iPad 8 models all shipped with iPadOS 14 and also are compatible with Apple Pay, but only for apps and not for use within retail stores. They fully support the current version of the iPadOS, iPadOS 15, too.

Identification Differences

Just like many other iPad devices, if they're sitting side-by-side, it's easy to differentiate between the Wi-Fi Only and cellular-capable iPad 8 models because the cellular models have a plastic portion at the top rear of their aluminum cases.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 8 Cellular Backs)

However, because many other iPad models look similar, visual identification is not a good real-world identification method.

Consequently, one of the best ways to identify these models externally is via Model Number. Model numbers are listed in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad:

iPad 8 Model	Model No
iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi Only)	A2270
iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA)	A2428
iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global)	A2429
iPad 10.2" 8th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China)	A2430

Initially, cellular-equipped iPad 8 models likely will not be found in the same location because of their geographic distribution, but over time, they will travel around the world.

The iPad 8 models also can be uniquely identified by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number. The Order Number can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi + Cellular configuration of the iPad 8 in gold with 128 GB of storage is MYN92LL/A.

To track down a specific iPad 8 by a variety of different identifiers -- including its Serial Number -- please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As mentioned previously, the iPad 8 models mostly are differentiated by connectivity and battery life. While using Wi-Fi, each configuration provides up to of ten hours of runtime, but cellular-capable configurations only provide up to nine hours of runtime when connected to a cellular network.

All cellular iPad 8 models support A-GPS, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), but Gigabit-class LTE cellular connectivity varies accordingly:

iPad	Model	4G LTE Bands
10.2" 8 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2270	None
10.2" 8 (Cellular, US/CA)	A2428	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
10.2" 8 (Cellular, Global)	A2429	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
10.2" 8 (Cellular, China)	A2430	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66

All cellular iPad 8 models ship unlocked. In the United States, the default tablet works with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

In many countries, if purchased from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller -- like site sponsor Adorama -- cellular-capable iPad 8 models also ship with an "Apple SIM" that is designed to support multiple carriers via a single Apple-issued Nano SIM card, but in practice it has some limitations.

Pricing Comparison Chart

Each iPad 8 originally cost the same amount. Pricing was the same regardless of color and differentiated by capacity and connectivity.

United States	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$329	US$429
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$459	US$559

Canada:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	C$429	C$549
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	C$599	C$719

United Kingdom:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	£329	£429
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	£459	£559

Australia:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	A$499	A$649
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	A$699	A$849

Singapore:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	S$499	S$649
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	S$699	S$849

Mainland China:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	RMB 2,499	RMB 2,999
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	RMB 3,499	RMB 3,999

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

The iPad 8 is not the fastest tablet, but it was inexpensive when introduced and is even more so on the used market. It also combines a relatively large display in a compact housing, extensive global connectivity as an option, and support for the original Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard. The iPad 8 remains a good value for an entry-level tablet.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).