Apple Announces iPad 4 Relaunch, Confirms 8 GB iPhone 5c Limited to Select Countries

ipad_4_399After the fourth-generation iPad reappeared on Apple's online storefront earlier today, the company has issued a press release confirming the return of the device to the company's product lineup. The iPad with Retina Display will replace the iPad 2 as the company's entry-level full-sized tablet option.

“Now for $399 customers can get iPad with a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display, fast A6X chip, and 5MP iSight camera, offering a dramatic upgrade in power, performance and value compared to the iPad 2 it replaces,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iPad line sets the gold-standard in mobile computing and all iPads have access to the largest and best ecosystem of more than 500,000 iPad optimized apps from the App Store.”

The 16 GB WiFi-only iPad 4 is available for $399, while the WiFi + Cellular model starts at $529 in the U.S., with both black and white color options available. The iPad with Retina Display will be sold through the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers. Customers looking for additional storage capacity beyond 16 GB must purchase the iPad Air, which is available in 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB options.

In line with earlier rumors, Apple today also started selling a new 8 GB iPhone 5c in select countries. The new 8 GB model with five color options is available in Apple's UK online store for £429 unlocked, making it £40 cheaper than the comparable 16 GB model.

Distribution of the new lower-capacity model is, however, rather limited, with Apple confirming to Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt that the 8 GB model will only be available in the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and China.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...

Top Rated Comments

losthorse Avatar
155 months ago
-- removed by user --
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattopotamus Avatar
155 months ago
How are people complaining about this move? Clearly the ipad 4 is more suitable at $399 than the ipad 2 was.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bare Avatar
155 months ago
Better the iPad 4 as a cheaper option than the iPad 2. The iPad 4 is far more an appealing option for today's consumer.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D.T. Avatar
155 months ago
This is a pretty decent idea. The iPad 4 is still a powerful tablet, it doesn’t have anything “missing” like the iPad 2 ... and it only gives up some small % of performance and dimension for $100 savings (if you’re only considering a full sized iPad).

:cool:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
td1439 Avatar
155 months ago
Anyone who shelled out $400 for an iPad 2 in the last couple of months is probably fuming right now.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keebler Avatar
155 months ago
I think it's great!

My 2 cents:

I thought selling the iPad 2 was cheesy as it doesn't have the retina display, but the iPad 4 at 16GB is fantastic for that price point.

I read some of the messages and seen the comments about 'milking this line' or 'how innovative selling an older product'.

Look at it from this perspective - not everyone cares (or even knows) about the technical differences between the 4 and Air.

Do you think someone like my mother in law, who can barely type on a computer, gives a crap whether or not it's the A-535 or A7883939393 chip?

NO.

Does she care about having a ton of GB space to save movies or other stuff on?

NO. She may think GB means Green Bay for crying out loud. lol

Will she want a fantastic looking display to check her email and surf the web, receive texts from her grandkids when they're not able to visit.

Will she want a device that's incredibly easy to use?

YES.

Will the iPad 4 16 GB PERFECTLY suit that need.

YES! In a huge way. Especially at that price point.

My point is just because YOU may not agree with their decision and think it's stupid....don't think it won't sell.

I'm not saying this is perfect for seniors either. Think of parents looking for a Christmas gift for their kid who may not need more than 16GB. Lots of possibilities out there.

I don't think is Apple harming their own market share. In fact, I bet they sell more iPads now that they have a lower option Retina display. To me, this is just like a car manufacturer - you'll have people who will want to buy the high end vehicles and you'll have those buying the lower end.

Are their needs being met?

Absolutely.

Are yours? Maybe not. So go buy that higher end option.

But maybe you'll see there are other view points and factors to consider.

Cheers,
Keebler
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)