iPad (10th Gen, 2022) review: Months later, still a confusingly good tablet

Apple iPad (10th Gen, 2022)

professionals and cons

Execs

• Modernized design with a USB-C port
• Panorama front-facing digicam is superior to different iPad fashions
• 4 energetic colours to select from
• Dependable battery life

Cons

• $120 worth bump from predecessor
• Dongle required to cost Apple Pencil (1st Gen)
• Excluded from some iPadOS options like Stage Supervisor
• Even my mother wants greater than 64GB of base storage

extra shopping for selections

This evaluate was initially revealed on October 31, 2022, and was up to date on Might 2, 2023.

Apple’s latest iPad, the 10th-generation model, boasts symmetrical bezels, a bigger 10.9-inch show, Magic Keyboard Folio assist, and the most recent software program model, iPadOS 16. However in contrast to earlier normal iPads, it prices $449. Ouch.

At a time when shoppers are slicing again on spending, elevating the value of your most reasonably priced iPad line is definitely one technique to get consideration — or lose it. However after spending the previous months with the Tenth-generation iPad, I can not assist however settle for that Apple has someway managed to justify the $120 upcharge. In a number of methods, the common iPad even beats out the iPad Professional. 

Additionally: The Apple merchandise you should not purchase this month

That is one other means of me saying that the most recent iPad lineup is extra complicated than ever earlier than. The vanilla iPad seems to be almost equivalent to the iPad Air and will get a number of options which might be excluded from the iPad Pro, and Apple continues to be promoting 2021’s $329 iPad — the one outfitted with a house button — in shops. 

ZDNET’s shopping for guides will assist you to sift via the insanity, however for this evaluate, it is all about why it’s best to and should not purchase the most recent iPad (Tenth Gen), so let’s discuss that. 

Specs

Design will get a breath of recent air

For the reason that enlargement to Professional, Air, and Mini fashions, the usual iPad has at all times been taking part in catch-up on the {hardware} aspect of issues. That modifications with this mannequin. In lieu of the front-facing Contact ID and residential button, the brand new iPad has thinner bezels surrounding a bigger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina show, the fingerprint sensor has been moved to the periphery, and twin audio system flank the left and proper sides when the pill is held in panorama orientation. The entire bundle weighs roughly one pound.

Overview: iPad Air (2022): So good I nearly remorse shopping for my Professional

Had this been an iPad Air evaluate, every little thing that I simply listed would nonetheless apply. The 2 fashions are equivalent in these regards, a lot in order that in case you displayed the common iPad subsequent to the iPad Air in a storefront, I might most likely inch nearer to the previous for one apparent cause: colour.

Now you might be asking, “Did this tech reviewer simply say that colour is the explanation folks will purchase the brand new iPad?” Sure, and I say that with confidence. What do the iPhone 5C, iPhone XR, 24-inch iMac, and newest iPad have in frequent? They do not accept the same old spectrum of Area Grey, Silver, and Gold finishes. 

Apple clearly has a means with colours and is aware of full effectively that, for many individuals, it will not be the processor or software program options that drive gross sales, however the rainbow of devices — meticulously positioned throughout the wooden grain tables of Apple shops in every single place. Heck, go to Apple.com proper now and take a guess at what the corporate thinks will promote you on its newest telephones, watches, and tablets.

Additionally: Finest iPad display screen protectors you should purchase

That is solely half of the story with the brand new iPad, in fact. There are a number of extra modifications throughout the board that alter the Apple pill expertise — for higher or worse. The plus aspect contains USB-C assist, leaving the iPhone as the ultimate product line not transformed to the common charging normal, 5G assist for on-the-go duties, and a brand new 12MP ultra-wide digicam that sits on the longer aspect of the iPad as a substitute of the shorter one. Extra on that later. 

As for modifications that nobody requested for: a new dongle! The Tenth-gen iPad doesn’t assist the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and, with the conversion to USB-C, now not has a port to immediately plug the unique Apple Pencil into. The answer, as is the case with many Apple equipment, is an adapter (female to female, Lightning to USB-C) that bridges the pencil and a separate USB-C cable to the iPad.

Additionally: iPad Air (2022) vs iPad Professional (2022): How to decide on

Contemplating the brand new iPad doesn’t have a magnetic strip to station the Apple Pencil on — the brand new panorama digicam has moved into that actual property now — the dongle and the stylus are simply two equipment you may have to hold round individually.

What’s a pc? 

It looks like ceaselessly since Apple’s “What’s a pc?” marketing campaign, however the query nonetheless stands with this latest iPad. Whereas I do not anticipate the usual mannequin to switch a full-fledged laptop computer or desktop, Apple definitely desires you to assume that means. 

Together with the Tenth-gen iPad comes a brand new Magic Keyboard Folio. It has a flexible kickstand that provides the pill Floor Professional-like viewing angles, a soft-touch keyboard with a 14-key perform row — you already know, the shortcuts sometimes discovered on the MacBook Professional keyboard or any productiveness pad — and a wonderful $249 price ticket. 

In addition to the value, my one grievance in regards to the folio-style accent is that it is not probably the most lap-friendly — except you have got lengthy legs. As is the case with all kickstand-supported covers, the 2-in-1 design requires an excessive amount of vertical area to station in an optimum method. I might argue that the iPad Professional’s hinge-based Magic Keyboard wins out on this regard.

Additionally: Finest iPads for artists, designers, and doodlers

Pair the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio with iPadOS’ split-screen operations and picture-in-picture video taking part in and also you get a semi-Professional iPad. I say semi-Professional as a result of whereas the brand new iPad runs on the identical iPadOS 16 software program as the most recent Professional mannequin, it does not get the entire multitasking options, like Stage Supervisor. 

Maybe that is Apple’s means of differentiating the iPad fashions, but when you are going to supply $250 equipment, then customers ought to get simply as a lot on the software program finish to reap the benefits of the {hardware}.

So far as the iPad’s efficiency goes, I have been very happy with what you get for the cash. I paced the pill via rounds of 4K video-editing by way of iMovie (what I suspected most customers shopping for this mannequin would use), taking part in Wild Rift and Asphalt 9 at 60 fps, and doing extra traditional duties, similar to net searching and streaming motion pictures. The A14 Bionic chip dealt with all of that gracefully, with solely a touch of heating right here and there. 

How the common iPad beats the Professional

That stated, my “first impressions” sizzling take continues to be ablaze: the iPad beats out the iPad Professional mannequin in two regards. The primary is Apple’s personal equipment. The 14-key perform row on the Magic Keyboard Folio is unique to the usual iPad, despite the fact that Apple additionally simply launched a refreshed iPad Professional. 

Overview: iPad Professional (2022): I am cautiously optimistic. Or silly

The second space the place the common iPad edges out the Professional is digicam placement. Usually talking, having the digicam situated on the lengthy aspect actually does convey an enchancment to the way you’re offered in video calls and pictures. 

Naturally, each video begins with you on the middle, extensive angle or not. Usually, it is much less disorienting than when the digicam is positioned to at least one aspect like on the iPad Professional. Contemplating how possible you’re to make use of this iPad for FaceTiming with household, digital lectures for sophistication, and collaborating throughout work conferences, this straightforward {hardware} design makes all of the distinction for the larger good. 

Additionally: The right way to use your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Digicam

Battery and charging

To be trustworthy, I used to be initially underwhelmed by the Tenth-gen iPad’s endurance. Whether or not it was needing to assimilate the pill into my workflow, or the truth that I used to be downloading apps left and proper, or perhaps a little bit of every little thing, the battery life was quick. I ended my first two days at round 20% to 30% by the tip of every evening.

Additionally: Touring quickly? Take this 6-port charger with you

Fortuitously, that hasn’t been the case in the course of the second half of my 12 months’s testing — and I absolutely anticipate the seven to eight hours of use that I get per day to proceed for one more 4 to 5 months. I have to say, although, standardizing USB-C throughout all of the iPads has been a godsend. As a substitute of getting to hold a devoted Lightning cable for the usual mannequin, I solely want one charger to energy my smartphone, laptop computer, wi-fi earbuds, and now, iPad. 

Backside line

Clearly, the elephant within the room with this latest iPad is its worth: $449 shouldn’t be a small ask, particularly when put next with the $329 iPad (9th Gen) that Apple nonetheless sells, and the truth that you are solely getting 64GB of onboard storage. Simply my preliminary batch of apps and providers stuffed up 15GB on my tester. I am now breaching the 30GB mark after months of information and cache storage. Get the 256GB variant in case you can.

Ought to I purchase one?

When you’re procuring on a finances, the 2021 iPad ought to take advantage of sense. Apple clearly thinks that, too. However I can not assist however evaluate the Tenth-gen iPad with the remainder of Apple’s hierarchy, all of which stay pricier and, in a number of features, are not so good as the vanilla mannequin. Within the broader context, here is what I might counsel shopping for now: 

iPad: If you would like a modernized, do-no-wrong Apple pill that achieves 70% of what the Professional can do.

iPad Mini: If you would like a compact and transportable iPad that is nice for note-taking and studying e-books.

iPad Pro: If you would like a productiveness workstation that helps probably the most correct contact and stylus inputs. 

The most important query mark for me is what occurs to the iPad Air, now that the usual iPad is almost the identical measurement and weight — and prices considerably much less. What’s sure is that Apple’s lineup of iPads is extra convoluted than ever earlier than. But when the aim of the revamped design is to sway potential consumers downmarket, then it could all come to fruition when reductions begin rolling in, and everybody can get in on the pill motion for much less. 

Alternate options to contemplate

BEST PRICE

Apple iPad (9th Gen, 2021)

A reliable iPad with a tried-and-tested form factor, the 10.2-inch alternative can be had right now for less than $300 (pending frequent sales).

BEST PRICE

Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen, 2022)

For something even more portable, look to the smallest yet just as powerful iPad that Apple offers, the Mini.

BEST PRICE

OnePlus Pad

If you’re feeling adventurous, OnePlus’ latest tablet runs on Android, has a smoother 144Hz display, and costs just slightly more than the standard iPad.