iOS 8.2 on iPad 3: Impressions & Performance

The iOS 8.2 update on the iPad 3 delivers a similar experience to iOS 8.1.3 and iOS 8.1.2. After spending a day with the new iOS 8.2 update on the aging iPad the performance is good, but it is not a major boost in speed like some old iPads saw after updating to iOS 8.1 last year.

In our early iOS 8.2 review on the iPad 3 you’ll learn about our installation process, the iOS 8.2 iPad 3 performance and other key areas that you want to know about before you upgrade your iPad.

Apple includes a range of fixes and features in this update including bug fixes, stability fixes, security updates and some new features. You can read more about what’s new in iOS 8.2 before you update. Keep in mind that even though this update adds support for the Apple Watch to the iPhone, you cannot use it with the iPad.

My wife is the primary user of the iPad 3 in our house, but I use it often enough to keep tabs on the speed and performance and how well popular apps like Safari, Netflix, Facebook and others work on this older device.

Here is an early iOS 8.2 on iPad 3 review to help you decide if it is worth installing the iOS 8.2 update on your old iPad.

iOS 8.2 Installation

The iOS 8.2 installation was smooth and easy on the iPad 3. Before you upgrade make sure you follow our iOS 8.2 release tips and our iOS 8.2 update guide for a detailed walk through.

In about 30 minutes the iOS 8.2 update installed on the iPad 3 and I was able to start using it again. There were no errors or lock ups like some earlier updates caused with old iPads.

iOS 8.2 on iPad 3 Performance

The iOS 8.2 iPad 3 performance is good overall, but it is important to factor in how you use the iPad before updating, especially from iOS 7. The apps, services and activities that you perform on the iPad likely vary from how I use this iPad 3, which can impact your overall experience. This is not a device that I use for heavy iPad gaming or for work. It is an entertainment device and one that my wife uses as a laptop replacement for web browsing and other basic tasks.

Apps

Right after installing the iOS 8.2 update on the iPad 3 I tested Safari, Facebook and Netflix as these are the most used apps on the iPad 3. Messages also works great, which is another commonly used app. After testing Spotify, Google Maps, Pinterest and others I did not find an app that didn’t work on iOS 8.2. If you run into problems make sure you install the latest app updates from the App Store.

iOS 8.2 Battery Life

There is no significant iOS 8.2 battery life drain after installing this update on the iPad 3. This iPad is quite old, but the battery still lasts a long time and so far it is just as good after the update as it was last week. I will monitor the performance long-term, but there is no fast drain that indicates a major problem. If you have issues, check out our iOS 8.2 battery life fix guide.

WiFi, Cellular Data & Bluetooth

The iPad 3 that I own features WiFi and Bluetooth, but no cellular connection so I cannot test that part of the connectivity. Updates can wreak havoc on WiFi and cause Bluetooth issues, but so far none are present. The iPad 3 connects to the Bluetooth keyboard case just like before and connect to home WiFi without any problems. I will test with other accessories and on more networks over the next week.

Bugs & Issues

After a day of use I am unable to identify any major iOS 8.2 bugs or issues on the iPad 3. Sometimes smaller problems surface after extended use, but at this stage there are no problems that suggest there are big issues with the iOS 8.2 update on this older iPad.

Speed

The iPad 3 speed feels the same on iOS 8.2 as it did on iOS 8.1.3 and iOS 8.1.2. It’s still fast enough to use without frustration, even when coming from a newer iPad Air or iPad Air 2, but it’s not the fastest iPad out there. You can take steps to speed up your iPad on iOS 8 that will help you it run a little faster.

Should You Install iOS iOS 8.2?

Anyone who is already using iOS 8 on their iPad 3 can safely update to the iOS 8.2 update at this time. This is easy to recommend, especially with the current option to downgrade from iOS 8.2 to iOS 8.1.3 if you don’t like the performance. This downgrade option will only last a week or two before Apple stops supporting it.

Users who are on iOS 7 should wait another week to see how this update handles in full as there is no way to downgrade to iOS 7 anymore.

If you are using any jailbreak tweaks you should not upgrade to iOS 8.2 at this time. There is no iOS 8.2 jailbreak and it may take a little while before it arrives.

iOS 8 vs iOS 7 Walkthrough - Home Screen

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We start our iOS 8 vs iOS 7 walkthrough with the iPhone home screen, which is where you'll start your iOS 8 experience after an update this fall.  These screens are incredibly important as you see them anytime you turn on the iPhone or need to choose an app to launch. There is no way around using them, so Apple needs to make sure they work just right.  As you can see in the iOS 8 vs iOS 7 comparison above, there is no change between the home screen in the new iPhone software. Apple changed the status bar and some other small visual changes in iOS 7, but there are no updates for iOS 8.   We could see Apple change the home screen slightly for iOS 8 for the iPhone 6. The new iPhone will feature a larger 4.7-inch display with a higher resolution. This is something Apple may use to add more icons to the screen. Or they could stick with the current layout, it's tough to tell.

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