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iPad 3 on iOS 7.0.2 Review: Impressions and Performance

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Yesterday, Apple rolled out its second update to its new iOS 7 operating system in the form of iOS 7.0.2, a small update aimed at tackling a pretty large problem. The update arrived for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and here, we take a close look at how the iOS 7.0.2 update performs on Apple’s iPad third-generation, also known as the iPad 3.

Last week, Apple finally delivered the big changes it talked about when it took the stage in June at WWDC and announced a brand new iOS update, an iOS update that the company dubbed iOS 7. Instead of an incremental iOS update like the others before it, updates that focused on adding new features to the company’s iconic operating system, iOS 7 delivered new features on top of a brand new look.

With the departure of Scott Forstall, Jony Ive and his design team took over and redesigned the look of iOS, giving the icons a new look and the UI a flatter, more colorful design. The company called it the biggest update to iOS since the introduction of the first iPhone and it’s hard to argue with that statement, iOS 7 is a pretty big change.

Read: iOS 7.0.2 on iPhone 5 Review.

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On September 18th, as promised, Apple delivered iOS 7 to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners around the world setting off a frenzy of downloads and download issues. After the dust settled, millions of users around the world were no longer running iOS 6, but iOS 7.

After just about every iOS update, owners complain about an assortment of issues, many of them small. However, iOS 7 users did discover one big bug lurking inside iOS 7, a major security flaw that put Apple engineers to work.

Yesterday, a little more than a week after the iOS 7 update touched down, Apple released iOS 7.0.2, an update that followed the iOS 7.0.1 update for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

Like the iPhone 5 iOS 7.0.2 update, the update to the iPad 3 isn’t a big one, checking in at less than 21MB in size. However, there will still be iOS 7 users who are curious about the update, specifically, whether it’s worth installing. Remember, iOS updates can often break things or add new bugs.

For those who are maybe holding back, or just want some reassurance, we have dove into the iOS 7.0.2 update for the iPad 3 and here, we offer our impressions of its performance.

Flawless iOS 7.0.2 Install

Those who install iOS 7.0.2 are not going to run into the same horrendous installation issues that arose last week with the iOS 7 release. Typically, Apple’s servers only melt on the first iOS release date and any updates that arrive after are usually smooth sailing. Such is the case with the latest iOS 7 update, iOS 7.0.2.

A much smoother install process this time around.

A much smoother install process this time around.

On the iPad 3, the installation process took about 10 minutes. The update is small, around 20MB, but the overall process can still take a little bit of time. That said, we still suggest iPad owners make a backup of their data before installing the update as there is always the potential that something could get fouled up. Our experience, however, was flawless.

Security Issue Fixed

Lock screen security issues have been a problem for Apple for quite some time. iOS 6, for instance, was plagued with them. So it wasn’t surprising to learn that iOS 7 also had a nasty security flaw that affected not only iPhone owners but iPad owners as well.

To utilize the flaw, all someone would have to do in iOS 7 is head to the lock screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and launch the clock app. At that point, users would need to press the power button at the top of the iPhone would bring up the option to power off the device.

Then, by pressing cancel rather than sliding to power off, thieves could tap the home button twice to bring up the iOS 7 multitasking interface. It’s from there that prying eyes could, and still can on iOS 7, access personal files like the camera roll. All of that can be seen in the video below.

Fortunately, Apple doesn’t sit around on its hands. Instead, the company got to work and released iOS 7.0.2, whose change log includes two features, a Greek keyboard and a fix for this security issue.

We haven’t been able to replicate the flaw on the iPad 3 after installing iOS 7.0.2, so, it looks like whatever Apple did, worked. So now all we have to do is wait for the next security flaw to emerge as there will inevitably be another one at some point down the road. There always is.

iOS 7.0.2 Battery Life

Often times, iOS updates, even the smaller ones, can bring some battery life problems to iPhone and iPad owners. We saw it with the iOS 6.1 update, the iOS 6.1.2 update and the iOS 6.1.3 update as well. This is one of the big issues that prospective upgraders look at before installing an iOS update and fortunately, it looks like iOS 7.0.2 doesn’t bring any nasty battery drain to the table.

Battery life remains fantastic in iOS 7.0.2.

Battery life remains fantastic in iOS 7.0.2.

Battery life after iOS 7 remained stable, on par with iOS 6 or maybe even a little better, and in iOS 7.0.2, we are getting similar battery life. No drain to be had, even in standby.

As always, we highly recommend taking a look at our iOS 7 battery life tips as there might be an easy fix for any battery life issues that iPad owners encounter within iOS 7.

Wi-Fi Remains Solid

iOS 7 users have told us that Wi-Fi is an issue in iOS 7, however, we have yet to experience any problems with connectivity on either the iPhone 5 or the iPad 3.

Instead, the Wi-Fi connection has been speedy and stable, even when connecting to a network for the first time. Luckily, the iOS 7.0.2 update hasn’t broken anything and Wi-Fi remains as solid as it was last week.

Those who are experiencing issues should stop by the Apple discussion forums as there are several threads that address the Wi-Fi issues within iOS.

Apps Working Fine

Initially, we ran into some issues with Netflix wherein the application wasn’t stable and videos would often crash. With its latest update, the application seems to be much better. We haven’t run into any crashes and the app is working as it did prior to the release of iOS 7. However, from what we’re hearing, many users are still encountering issues with the app, something that should lead to a fix further down the road.

We also haven’t run into any other major app issues on the iPad as games including Angry Birds, Machinarium and World of Goo are all working like they did prior to the upgrade.

iOS 7 Is Still Laggy

That said, iOS 7 still has quite a big of lag in iOS 7.0.2. When we first installed iOS 7, things like the new multitasking, shifting the orientation from portrait to landscape and back and opening up folders weren’t snappy and were clunky. This lag remains in iOS 7.0.2 as all three of these still offer up slow down, slow down that can be significant on occasion.

We are still encountering lag issues in iOS 7.0.2.

We are still encountering lag issues in iOS 7.0.2.

We still want to blame the fact that the iOS 7 iPad update didn’t spend as much time in the beta period as the iPhone update. Remember, we had heard that the iOS 7 update for iPad was still a little bit unsettled ahead of its release.

So we’re holding out hope that Apple is still working out the kinks and is working to optimize the software for its older devices. Perhaps, an iOS 7.1 update will fix things.

FaceTime Audio Issues Persist

We also complained about some issues with FaceTime Audio, one of the new features in iOS 7. The feature, which allows users to chat via audio through FaceTime when connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network, is still having issues when a device transfers from Wi-Fi to LTE and back. The person who is switching between connections often cuts out and speech becomes disjointed.

When the service is used on a stable Wi-Fi connection, the person on the other end has sounded much better than even an actual phone call. This service is new and we imagine that Apple will work to improve it in the future.

No Major Bugs, It Seems

iOS 7 has arrived for the iPad 3.

iOS 7.0.2 has arrived for the iPad 3.

We still haven’t found any major bugs lurking inside our iOS 7.0.2 update. There are, however, plenty of people ranting and raving about iOS 7 bugs on Apple’s discussion forum, many of them having to do with battery life, connectivity and more. Thus far, we haven’t encountered any of them and for us, the experience on iOS 7 and iOS 7.0.2 has been a relatively stable one.

Remember, mileage will vary when it comes to iOS updates because people use their phones and tablets in different ways. They also use different gear to support them, including old routers, which can often lead to issues.

Should You Install iOS 7.0.2?

Those who are already on iOS 7 should certainly install iOS 7.0.2. Not only does it fix the security issue but we haven’t discovered any major bugs inside the new update. Battery life seems fine, connectivity is good, and applications are functioning as usual.

The biggest downside to iOS 7 is the lag that’s in the UI but we’re hopeful that Apple fixes that in an upcoming update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It’s not a deal breaker though and overall, the good of iOS 7 has far outweighed the bad.

64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. rick

    09/27/2013 at 1:39 pm

    I’ve just updated with the iOS7.02 and now my ipad 3 is locked up. Just have a black screen with an iTunes icon in the middle with an image of a white contention plug. Any help much appreciated…..

    • Mangaka

      09/27/2013 at 2:30 pm

      Please feel free to tap the self destruct button

    • jay

      09/28/2013 at 11:01 am

      mine is too!!!!! how do u make the itunes thing go away??

    • Brian

      09/28/2013 at 11:09 am

      I am having the same issue

    • Hassan Shirazi

      09/29/2013 at 12:16 am

      It probably is in recovery mode .. connect it to your computer and restore via itunes .. this could be due to an incomplete install of the OS ..

      • jay

        09/29/2013 at 10:32 am

        how do u recover it and restore via itunes?

  2. Tom Roberts

    09/27/2013 at 2:25 pm

    7.0.2 update iPad: how can I close programs.. Used to be that when I double “clicked” the bottom button I could press each running program, a minus sign (or was it an X) appeared in the program’s icon, which I could then press to close the program. That no longer works. Any clues on how to close programs now?
    Tom

    • Mangaka

      09/27/2013 at 2:32 pm

      Theres no more x button now. You just simply flick it up to close it.

    • Mark

      09/28/2013 at 5:04 pm

      Drag the app screen upwards until it disappears.

  3. Ivanlilly4

    09/27/2013 at 2:30 pm

    I really find it annoying to not have the ability to disable the lock screen when I want to. Certain apps, such as the stopwatch function become less useful if I have to enter my pass code each time I want to start or stop my stopwatch. Please provide an option to disable it by the owner.

  4. Kristen

    09/27/2013 at 2:32 pm

    @Tom Roberts,
    Now you just have to double click the screens come up above the app icon and you just take the screen and flick it up…it then closes that app or page out!

  5. >>

    09/27/2013 at 6:09 pm

    There are much more problems to be addressed than JUST the keyboard and security problem.

    Apple, at least fix the scaling, having the option of turning off the parallax/3D thing
    Or adding a non-blinding color scheme. Also, saving battery life should’ve been top concern. (My battery went from 30% to 5% in less than an hour with brightness and wifi OFF)

    I’m using iPad 2
    I downloaded ios7 and
    now I’m using expensive junk.

    I miss ios6 :(

    • Yogi Bear

      09/27/2013 at 9:20 pm

      You can turn off the parallax effects by going: Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion > On

    • Jason

      09/28/2013 at 5:07 am

      AGREED !

  6. jdrake

    09/27/2013 at 7:55 pm

    i just updated to ios 7.0.2 and now my home button doesnt work at all and my screen orientation doesnt change and im pissed. how do i fix thisss!?

  7. Michael Lawton

    09/28/2013 at 12:27 am

    I am having issues trying to download and install the ios 7.0.2 update. If I try via wireless it keeps telling me I have lost internet and does not complete and if i try with my iphone attached to my computer I receive a message that my connection timed out. In both cases i have still had internet access throughout. Help?

  8. Peter Bryant

    09/28/2013 at 1:45 am

    Drains the battery really fast, makes it impracticable to use the phone, can I go back to the old system?

  9. Keith Maskell

    09/28/2013 at 3:16 am

    I have exactly tha same problems with batter life. You are unable to turn off Apps as previously. They appear to be running in the background continuously. Not impressed with the App design either. Look like a childs toy and Cheapens the product.

    • Tom

      09/28/2013 at 8:20 am

      To turn off apps, hit the home button twice. Apps appear. Slide the app up and it closes.

      • Chris

        09/28/2013 at 11:56 am

        Great thanks. However it’s the large square picture above the Apps icon that you flick up.

  10. blanca

    09/28/2013 at 4:05 am

    im having a problem with my wifi connections..the on n off botton is just white i cannot move it. and no wifi appearing even i turn on n off th phone.. pls help

  11. Mike

    09/28/2013 at 8:01 am

    It’s a pile of utter rubbish, visually and functionally. Why oh why oh why tinker with something if it ain’t broke?

    • Michael Gilbert

      09/29/2013 at 1:06 pm

      I couldn’t agree MORE! I woke up this morning and saw this new download I thought was only for security purposes,not to over haul my operating system! It ruined my day!! I wish there was a way to go back to the old look!

  12. Bob

    09/28/2013 at 9:11 am

    might be time to go back to android. My wifes google 7 works flawlessly. My ipad 3 sucks after the ios 7 update, almost unusable.

  13. Mark Groening

    09/28/2013 at 9:35 am

    This looks like a deliberate downgrade do that we will want to upgrade to a new Iphone, NEVER! I’ll get a Droid or even a Jitterbug. Is there a way so I can turn off the screen rotate, its getting worse and it makes the phone almost unusable. Apple is getting more and more like Microsoft.

  14. Greg

    09/28/2013 at 10:47 am

    The guy who wrote this article needs to know this. Everybody I know with an iphone 4, 4s and 5 are experiencing big battery problems. If apple doesn’t fix this I am going to the galaxy s4.

  15. jay

    09/28/2013 at 11:03 am

    grrrrr

  16. Vic

    09/28/2013 at 12:11 pm

    I am not a techie and don’t follow what Apple is doing, however it is clear to me that the update I was recently prompted to install in my iPad has severely impacted my ability to maneuver efficiently and I am very upset. As someone else noted, the author of this article seems to have little understanding of the negative impact this so-called upgrade has had on average users. The changes are significant and not intuitive. I am very disappointed that Apple has undermined the ease of using the iPad and wonder if this is intended to encourage hardware upgrades? Given that my difficulties have resulted from operating system changes, if I do decide to upgrade my hardware, it will not be with an Apple product, as I now consider Apple to be untrustworthy. I cannot imagine what Apple was thinking, but this upgrade is a huge mistake.

  17. Farrah

    09/28/2013 at 1:25 pm

    I updated and now my camcorder isn’t clickable on iPad mini.

  18. jay

    09/28/2013 at 5:17 pm

    ahhhh

  19. Rr

    09/28/2013 at 6:33 pm

    I am most unhappy. Downloaded on iPad 2 and it is slower than ever before.. Had I known I would never have downloaded…shame and disappointed. Had to reset, but it’s still too slow. :-(

  20. Tracey cronin

    09/29/2013 at 12:05 am

    I too can’t use my idea camera after the new update

  21. Steve

    09/29/2013 at 6:15 am

    I have lost sound to some programs since updating. Any fix?

  22. Skid

    09/29/2013 at 6:59 am

    Now would be your time to sell your apple stock boys and girls…

  23. Pedro

    09/29/2013 at 7:10 am

    This lag is horrendous. Dont update to ios7. You will regret it

  24. Erin McLeish

    09/29/2013 at 8:02 am

    I am having trouble with safari crashing on iphone5 ios7.0.2 very upsetting tried all the usual fixes and can’t find any info about the problem on the web

  25. rita guigon

    09/29/2013 at 8:33 am

    No Wifi issues? Check out the complaints on the Apple Support message boards. I resent cheerleading articles such as this who offer nothing useful.

  26. Dave

    09/29/2013 at 8:37 am

    I have the newest iPad and the keyboard lag is clocking in at 25 seconds if lucky. Typing almost impossible. Don’t upgrade!! iPad NOW USELESS

  27. Michelle

    09/29/2013 at 12:14 pm

    Such a horrible update. Where to begin… I bought this to help my son who has autism. Now he has trouble using it. The colors are bad, icons look different, lost our bookmarks on safari and can’t bookmark anything. Not sure about the bottom settings box, it keeps popping up and it my son unknowingly changes things and then gets upset. This upgrade is horrible and now I can’t get rid of it.

  28. Skip

    09/29/2013 at 3:29 pm

    I have two words….. it SUCKS! I want my old version back for my iPad! I’m now using my wife’s Ausa pad! Much better! Why would Apple do this to there consumers? GET WITH IT!

  29. tricathetops

    09/29/2013 at 3:51 pm

    I LOST ALL MY APPS! HOW DO I GET THEM BACK?
    (i updated ios 7.0.2 and IT SUCKS and i also updated itunes)
    can anybody help me?

  30. Hoppy

    09/29/2013 at 4:13 pm

    I cant even open my iPad (ios 7.0.2) my screen is locked up
    And when i slide to unlock it doesnt work it comes up with boxes around the time and all the buttons i turned the ipad off and back on again and its still stuffing up new update sucks what do i have to do to open my ipad

  31. Daniel

    09/29/2013 at 4:35 pm

    I updated my iPad 3 with iOS 7.0.2. It was downloading and istalling and when I came back to see how it was going it was turned off. I turned it on and the apple logo appears, then an itunes logo with a white conection plug appears. And thats all, I cant do anymore. So then I connected it to my computer and opened iTunes and it says the iPad is in Recovery mode. The only option that is shown is to Restore the iPad (it means to erase everything and leaving it as when you buy the iPad) I need a solution, please

  32. Use to love APPLE products, but no more!!!!!

    09/29/2013 at 6:01 pm

    No feaking way! The ios7 was sucky enough, no more stupid Apple updates ever! WTH

  33. Day Gold

    09/29/2013 at 6:59 pm

    Ok. Everyone don’t panic. I have an ipad 2. I did the I.O.S 7 update and messed up my ipad big time. Battery life completely drained in less than an hour, speakers were horrible, an internet very slow. I was very upset, I did the update on friday and monday went to the apple store nearest to me. There was a huge line and they gave me an appointment for 2:00 p.m i got there at 10:30 a.m, I was not able to make the appointment, so a very nice employee at the store helped me out. He told me to reset it that it might just work. After i reset it, speakers were back to normal immediately, i went back home and tested it for a while, battery and internet speed also went back to normal. Now beware your settings are going to be changed completely but it’s going to be worth it. You won’t loose your pictures. Only thing I noticed it’s the keyboard it’s not working properly, you have to type slowly and be very careful. Hope this helped.

  34. J

    09/29/2013 at 7:42 pm

    just did the same update. destroyed my phone. just a nice apple logo on the screen and is locked there until the battery runs out. Plugging in to the computer doesn’t work. Won’t reset. It is done. Thank you apple.

  35. Rhochelle

    09/29/2013 at 7:46 pm

    I just downloaded iOS 7.0.2, on my ipad3 a week ago and 1st I’m having a problem connecting to applications, coz it shutdown unexpectedly or not,unable to reconnect it back.. 2nd, keyboard is just to slow when I typed(just like at this very moment) 3rd, battery life is short… I should have listen to my friends about their feedbacks on this new apps.. Please do something about these problems APPLE.. Most people unable to use their iPad nw, and it’s such a WASTE, money and time….. So I hope you guys understand….thank you..

  36. ricky

    09/30/2013 at 7:20 am

    having a problem restoring my ipad3, iTunes prompt with the message “unknown error 4013” how can i resolve this? thanks.

  37. lolman

    10/01/2013 at 7:05 am

    i’ve just updated to 7.0.2 and now my iphone can fly.

  38. Gloria

    10/01/2013 at 11:42 pm

    Just updated to 7.0.2 Anschluss. Have lost all sound to my ipad3 ! I have tried to restart an this didn’t work and also tried the head phone just like the 3s had trouble with and this didn’t work!!! Help and after a update can you go back to the version running before the update?

  39. Rhonwag

    10/05/2013 at 3:10 pm

    I regret updating to iOS 7. My ipad is so much slower! It stops and goes back to home screen when I try to download …give me back the 6 !

  40. iOS 7 download links

    10/08/2013 at 2:12 am

    Indeed, Apple has fixed many issues in iOS 7.0.2 update for older-generation iOS devices. But still the iOS 7.0.2 update is not meeting the requirements to completely ditch all sort of issues that people are facing.

  41. smv

    10/08/2013 at 8:56 am

    Hi, I updated my new ipad from 7.0.1 to 7.0.2 and i see that the pictures I clicked now are not as sharp/crisp as it used to be earlier. Anyone else see this problem?

  42. Kim

    10/08/2013 at 8:22 pm

    After my upgrade to I OS 7 I am only able to delete music one track at a time and not the entire album . What a step backwards from IOS 6 . Does anyone have tips ?

  43. N. C.

    10/09/2013 at 1:39 am

    I’m reading this to consider weather worthwhile to download iOS 7.0.2 – answer despite reassuring article….NO.

  44. Stewart

    10/09/2013 at 5:56 pm

    I loaded iOS7 on my iPad 3 the day it came out. Other than the ugly new UI, the main issue was how SLOW everything was. I could hardly type an email. I was able to revert back to 6 before Apple disallowed that. Now, app updates are broken and new versions are being programmed for 7, leaving us in a bad way. So yes, the whole thing is planned to force you into new hardware. I am surprised at how the reviewer glossed over the speed issues.

  45. Stergios Stil

    10/12/2013 at 1:55 pm

    F@ck apple 500 euros when I bought it ipad3 f@cking lag. Am going to sell it and buy a samsung tab note! At least I will have the option of custom roms like I have in my galaxy s3. People are fool to buy apple products including me doing that mistake. F@cking thieves.

  46. Stergios Stil

    10/12/2013 at 1:57 pm

    Yeah new hardware but not Apple this time I that company dies soon very soon. F@cking thieves.

  47. abhishek

    10/14/2013 at 1:28 am

    anyone should i update my ios 6.1.3 to ios 7.0.2

    • D.J. Pol

      10/16/2013 at 2:23 pm

      No, please don’t!!

  48. Sara

    10/15/2013 at 2:56 am

    i just updated to ios 7.0.2. this might sound funny, but how to play audio/song when using other app? usually i just press the homebutton twice and tap the play button but now there’s no such thing anymore. any suggestion please?

  49. D.J. Pol

    10/16/2013 at 2:30 pm

    Anyone an idea how to use your iPad on the tv-screen via apple tv? With IOS6 you just did a double click on the home button and scrolled to the left and clicked on apple tv. Now there’s nothing when you scroll to the left.

  50. Ron V (@rvichar)

    10/19/2013 at 2:53 pm

    With iOS 7 on my iPad 3 WiFi 64GB model I can’t type comments anymore on websites such as this blog. The keyboard lag is so terrible typing is a nightmare. Safari is bad but its even worse if you use Chrome or Dolphin browsers.

    One tip I have for you that helped me is to go into Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset all settings this will RESET all settings but won’t lose your data. You may have to re-enter your passwords here and there. BUT it made my tablet a bit less laggy. Notice I am not calling it an iPad. It was an iPad when iOS 5 and iOS 6 were running on it. Not with iOS 7 can we call it an iPad. This makes me so mad that a tablet less than a year old ( iPad 4 launched November 2012) hasn’t even been optimized for iOS 7. If Apple thinks I am going to dole out another $800 cold cash for an iPad 5 they are sadly mistaken. I would gladly consider other options now after this experience. I seriously hope they fix these performance issues but I won’t hold my breath and no longer will I install any updates on my Macs. At least with the Mac we have a choice to go back to go to an older OS that works best.

  51. Stef

    10/27/2013 at 5:22 am

    Don’t upgrade iOS!
    Tried to upgrade my Ipad 3 to iOS7.02 but it failed. Have tried both standard restore and DFU flash but failed firmware upgrade just at the end. unknown error (3)
    Will have to try to get Apple support but guess I will have to fight for new hardware.

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