How fast is the iPad 8th Gen (2020) compared to the iPad 7th Gen (2019) that it replaced? How fast is it compared to earlier iPads? How fast is it compared to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro?

Please note that the iPad 8th Gen (2020) models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A can be quite helpful for anyone considering one of these tablets on the used market.

In the corporate press release for the iPad 8th Gen (2020), Apple's headline promises a "huge jump in performance" and further boasts that:

The eighth-generation iPad with the A12 Bionic chip delivers a huge leap in performance, with 40 percent faster CPU performance and twice the graphics capability [than its predecessor]. This makes the new iPad up to two times faster than the top-selling Windows laptop, up to three times faster than the top-selling Android tablet and up to six times faster than the top-selling Chromebook.

With such emphasis on performance -- complete with specific performance claims -- it is a safe bet that the iPad 8th Gen is substantially faster than the iPad 7th Gen (2019) that it replaced.

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

However, Apple doesn't compare the performance of the iPad 8 to the iPad mini, iPad Air, or iPad Pro. Accordingly, a more comprehensive comparison of the iPad 8 to other current and recent iPad models also can be quite useful.

Benchmark Performance Overview

For a helpful general overview of the performance differences between the iPad 8 (2020) and other iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices, Everyi.com's own Ultimate iComparison makes it quick to compare side-by-side Geekbench 5 benchmark averages for hundreds of possible performance comparisons.

Compared to other recent iOS devices, the iPad 8th Gen performs accordingly:

iPad 8th Gen Compared To:	Percent Faster (Single Core)	Percent Faster (Multicore)
iPad (5th Gen)	101%	107%
iPad (6th Gen)	46%	51%
iPad (7th Gen)	47%	52%
iPad mini (5th Gen)	=	-24%
iPad Air 3rd Gen	=	-24%
iPad Air 4th Gen	-30%	-49%
iPad Pro 11" (2nd Gen)	-1%	-54%
iPhone SE 2	-16%	-24%
iPhone 11	-16%	-34%
iPhone 12	-30%	-45%
iPod touch 7	97%	96%

With a review of the above benchmark results, you can clearly see that the Geekbench 5 benchmark shows that the iPad 8th Gen is much faster than the iPad 7th Gen that it replaced and earlier regular iPad models as well as the aging iPod touch 7.

However, the iPad 8th Gen is significantly slower than its iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro contemporaries, especially in multicore tasks. Of course, it is worth noting that the iPad 8th Gen is cheaper than these other iPad models, as well.

Performance Summary

Ultimately, the iPad 8th Gen is substantially faster than the iPad 7th Gen it replaced, but it is not a powerful tablet. It is the slowest iPad that Apple sells, but it also is the cheapest.

For those who want a capable, inexpensive tablet, the iPad 8th Gen is a solid choice. For those who want a faster tablet, though, the iPad Air 4th Gen or iPad Pro 11" (2nd Gen) would be better options.

The iPad mini (5th Gen) also is a good buy for those who would rather spend a bit more money for more performance and who do not find the smaller display to be a limitation.

For those on a tight budget, the slower iPad 7th Gen or faster iPad Air 3rd Gen on the used market also remain well worth consideration.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping for all.

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.

Also see: What are all the differences between the iPad 8th Gen (2020) and the iPad 7th Gen (2019) replaced?