There’s bigger difference between the 3G and WiFi versions of the iPad 2 than just their modems. According to iLounge, the iPad 2 WiFi and iPad 2 3G have differences when it comes to microphone quality… with the more expensive iPad 2 3G losing out to the WiFi-only model.
Although the microphone hardware between versions is the same, the mic level quality on the iPad 2 seems to be affected by its slightly different placement. On the WiFi iPad 2, sound quality is better due to the fact that the microphone opening is centered and bored through an aluminum surface; the mic opening on the 3G models, on the other hand, houses the microphone opening in plastic.
The result? The iPad 2 WiFi has cleaner audio through the microphone than the 3G version, which iLounge found to be slightly muffled and echo-prone as a result. It’s not a big deal if you’re willing to pop-in some in-line mic earbuds, but it’s still a difference worth being aware of.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
