14 DAY TRIAL // Tests carried out on three Apple devices running the iOS 4.3 GM seed have confirmed Apple’s claims that the Nitro JavaScript engine turns the Safari browser into a beast, beating competitors like the Google Nexus S and the Samsung Galaxy Tab by quite a margin.
This spells a lot of benefits for both existing iOS customers, and for those trying to make up their minds on their first tablet purchase.
According to the results of a SunSpider JavaScript Test (graph displayed above and to the left), the iPad 1 is enough for those who plan to primarily use the device for web browsing, as iOS 4.3 significantly improves the experience.
Currently in internal beta testing, iOS 4.3 is to be released March 11 for compatible iPhones, iPod touches, and the iPad 1. The iPad 2 ships with iOS 4.3 pre-installed.
Needless to point out, the iPad 2 trumps all devices put to the test by CNet (including its iSiblings), with its dual-core A5 SoC (system on a chip), the presumably doubled RAM, and other hardware enhancements.
According to the testers, the Galaxy Tab is more than 3x slower than the iPad 2. Even the original iPad beats it with about 2x faster performance high on iOS 4.3 GM.
The Google Nexus S (smartphone) was nearly 3x slower than the iPad 2, and 2.5x slower than the iPhone 4, which also has an iOS 4.3 build prepared for it on March 11.
However, it’s the results scored by the original iPad that matter, the testers suggest.
And we’d have to agree, knowing that Apple has slashed a cool $100 off the tablet’s retail price by introducing the iPad 2 at the same prices its predecessor had sold for until last week.
(Those who bought an iPad in the past two weeks or so can also get a $100 refund, Apple said).
Not only does Apple offer a fast and reliable (not to mention gorgeous) tablet device with 10 hours of battery life, the device now costs $399.
Compare that to the underperforming 7-inch Galaxy Tab which has customers forking for $650 if they want to buy one off-contract from AT&T, and we’d say the iPad knocks the socks off that deal even without iOS 4.3.