Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.

Apple has stunned the tech world once again. A mere 7 months after the announcement of the iPad 3, the iPad 4 was introduced on October 23, 2012.

Tech Specs:

• Dual-core A6X processor with quad-core GPU
• 9.7 inch LCD, backlit in-plane switching LED with 2048×1536 pixel Retina display
• 16, 32, or 64 GB flash memory (at launch)
• 5 MP rear-facing camera
• Lightning connector

One of the major differences between the 3rd and 4th generation iPads is the connector. The 3rd gen (top) has the 30-pin dock connector, while the 4th gen (bottom) has the Lightning connector.

The iPad 4 has a new model number, A1458.

Continuing the trend, this iPad is glued shut. This isn't our first adhesive-riddled iPad, and we've been working to figure out how to make the painful opening process a lot easier.

Our heated-up iOpener lets us apply heat just where it's needed, softening the troublesome adhesive. Once we've snuck a few guitar picks in the seam, we're nearly home-free.

We're happy to report that no iPads were cracked in the creation of this teardown. We haven't always been so fortunate.

With the adhesive out of the way, we open up the iPad.

As expected, this stage looks no different from the previous generation.

Now that the hard part is out of the way, it's time for a break with a hot cup of drinking chocolate.

As opposed to the Samsung display we found in the iPad 3, the new iPad LCD is manufactured by LG.

Apple has reportedly been working to move away from Samsung as a primary supplier, so this LG display is not surprising. However, Apple often relies on multiple suppliers for a single component, meaning there are quite likely other LCD manufacturers lurking inside other iPad 4s.

Continuing to examine differences in the LCD cables…

Well, Apple used a different color Sharpie.

We lift up the LCD to reveal the battery.

The battery is labeled with the same model number (A1389) as in the last round, so it's no surprise that it's another 3.7 V, 43 Whr package.

Like the iPad 3, the battery is adhered very securely to the rear case. Since batteries are consumables that wear out, the trend of glued-in, hard-to-access batteries in iPads and other Apple devices is unfortunate.

Skipping ahead to the good stuff, we get a quick look at the biggest improvement in the iPad 4—the A6X and its supporting hardware:

• Apple A6X Processor
• Hynix H2JTDG8UD2MBR 16 GB NAND Flash
• Apple 338S1116 Cirrus Logic Audio Codec
• 343S0622-A1 Dialog Semi PMIC
• Apple 338S1077 Cirrus Logic Class D Amplifier
• QVP TI 261 A9P2