Apple this month introduced the new iPad (10th gen.) with an all-screen design featuring a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. The new iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which delivers even faster performance with incredible power efficiency for demanding tasks while still providing all-day battery life. Updated cameras include an Ultra Wide 12MP front camera located along the landscape edge of iPad for an even better video calling experience, and an updated 12MP back camera to capture sharp, vivid photos and 4K video. A USB-C port supports a wide range of accessories, Wi-Fi 6 brings even faster connections, and cellular models feature superfast 5G so users can stay connected on the go. With iPadOS 16 and support for Apple Pencil (1st generation), iPad offers users more ways to be creative and productive.
I can’t pinpoint exactly why I was so easily enamored with the new 10th-generation iPad. Maybe it was the array of candy colors, or the more modern design sans the classic Home button. Maybe it was the new placement for the front-facing camera, which meant I no longer had to stare awkwardly to the side during video calls. Or the support for the floaty Magic Keyboard Folio with a detachable keyboard and a kickstand.
But it wasn’t long before the bubble burst. When you crunch the numbers, reality sets in. The affordable and plenty-capable iPad that used to start at $329 has now been hiked up to $449. That’s without the added cost of accessories (Apple charges $249 for the Keyboard Folio). It‘s tough to justify a $120 price hike over its predecessor…
The redesign on this iPad is simply catching up to the rest of the lineup. The A14 chipset powering it, while snappy, is already two years old. The display is larger, but it still isn’t fully laminated —t here’s an air gap between the glass and the screen, so using it with the Apple Pencil doesn’t feel as precise as with pricier iPads. The USB-C port, which I’m thankful for, requires an adapter to charge the first-generation Apple Pencil — because, yes, bafflingly, this iPad doesn’t support the second-gen Apple Pencil. This slate feels exciting and fresh at first, until you realize you’re just paying for cosmetic changes. Apple almost had me…
None of this is to say that the 10th-gen iPad isn’t a great tablet — it delivers on looks and performance. Maybe just wait for a sale.
MacDailyNews Take: This is the entry-level modern iPad (the Home button-festooned 9th gen. iPad is still available at the sub-entry-level), so you’re not going to get the laminated display, an M1 chip, Apple Pencil 2 support, etc. That’s why it’s entry-level. Nobody should expect iPad Pro specs and features at an entry-level price.
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It’s basically the previous (before M1) iPad Air, with more recent but cheaper parts, at $150 discount. But some parts (like FaceTime camera) are better. The previous 9th gen entry iPad was reusing the design of last iPad Pro with Touch ID Home Button, with more recent but cheaper parts. The current A15 iPhone SE is iPhone 7 (from 2016) with updated parts. It’s what Apple does, create excellent base designs that stay relevant for a long time with updated specs.