iPad (Tenth Gen, 2022) assessment: Months later, nonetheless a confusingly good pill

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

Apple’s latest iPad, the Tenth-generation mannequin, boasts symmetrical bezels, a bigger 10.9-inch show, Magic Keyboard Folio help, and the newest software program model, iPadOS 16. However not like 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 method to get consideration — or lose it. However after spending the previous months with the Tenth-generation iPad, I am unable to assist however settle for that Apple has in some way 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 manner of me saying that the newest iPad lineup is extra complicated than ever earlier than. The vanilla iPad seems practically an identical to the iPad Air and will get a number of options which are excluded from the iPad Professional, and Apple remains to be promoting 2021’s $329 iPad — the one geared up with a house button — in shops. 

ZDNET’s shopping for guides will make it easier to sift by way of the insanity, however for this assessment, it is all about why it is best to and should not purchase the newest iPad (Tenth Gen), so let’s discuss that. 

Specs

Design will get a breath of contemporary air

Because the growth to Professional, Air, and Mini fashions, the usual iPad has all the time been taking part in catch-up on the {hardware} facet 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.

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

Had this been an iPad Air assessment, every thing that I simply listed would nonetheless apply. The 2 fashions are an identical in these regards, a lot in order that should you displayed the common iPad subsequent to the iPad Air in a storefront, I would in all probability inch nearer to the previous for one apparent purpose: colour.

Now you might be asking, “Did this tech reviewer simply say that colour is the explanation individuals 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 standard spectrum of House Grey, Silver, and Gold finishes. 

Apple clearly has a manner with colours and is aware of full nicely 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 all over the 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.

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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 facet consists of USB-C help, leaving the iPhone as the ultimate product line not transformed to the common charging normal, 5G help for on-the-go duties, and a brand new 12MP ultra-wide digital camera that sits on the longer facet of the iPad as a substitute of the shorter one. Extra on that later. 

As for modifications that nobody requested for: a brand new dongle! The Tenth-gen iPad doesn’t help the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and, with the conversion to USB-C, not has a port to straight plug the unique Apple Pencil into. The answer, as is the case with many Apple equipment, is an adapter (feminine to feminine, 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 digital camera 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 appears like perpetually 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 interchange a full-fledged laptop computer or desktop, Apple definitely needs you to assume that manner. 

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

Moreover the value, my one criticism in regards to the folio-style accent is that it isn’t essentially the most lap-friendly — until you might have 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 would argue that the iPad Professional’s hinge-based Magic Keyboard wins out on this regard.

Additionally: Greatest 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 newest Professional mannequin, it does not get the entire multitasking options, like Stage Supervisor. 

Maybe that is Apple’s manner 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 benefit from 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 by way of 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, resembling internet looking and streaming films. 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 mentioned, my “first impressions” scorching take remains to be ablaze: the iPad beats out the iPad Professional mannequin in two regards. The primary is Apple’s personal equipment. The 14-key operate row on the Magic Keyboard Folio is unique to the usual iPad, regardless that Apple additionally simply launched a refreshed iPad Professional. 

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

The second space the place the common iPad edges out the Professional is digital camera placement. Typically talking, having the digital camera situated on the lengthy facet actually does carry an enchancment to the way you’re introduced in video calls and images. 

Naturally, each video begins with you on the middle, extensive angle or not. Typically, it is much less disorienting than when the digital camera is positioned to 1 facet 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 better good. 

Additionally: How one can use your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Digital camera

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 possibly a little bit of every thing, the battery life was quick. I ended my first two days at round 20% to 30% by the top of every night time.

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

Luckily, that hasn’t been the case throughout the second half of my 12 months’s testing — and I totally anticipate the seven to eight hours of use that I get per day to proceed for an additional 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 value: $449 will not be a small ask, particularly when put next with the $329 iPad (ninth 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 should you can.

Ought to I purchase one?

When you’re purchasing on a price range, the 2021 iPad ought to take advantage of sense. Apple clearly thinks that, too. However I am unable to assist however examine the Tenth-gen iPad with the remainder of Apple’s hierarchy, all of which stay pricier and, in a number of elements, are not so good as the vanilla mannequin. Within the broader context, here is what I would recommend shopping for now: 

iPad: In order for you a modernized, do-no-wrong Apple pill that achieves 70% of what the Professional can do.

iPad Mini: In order for you a compact and transportable iPad that is nice for note-taking and studying e-books.

iPad Professional: In order for you a productiveness workstation that helps essentially the most correct contact and stylus inputs. 

The largest 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 patrons 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 (ninth Gen, 2021)

A dependable iPad with a tried-and-tested kind issue, the ten.2-inch different will be had proper now for lower than $300 (pending frequent gross sales).

BEST PRICE

Apple iPad Mini (sixth Gen, 2022)

For one thing much more transportable, look to the smallest but simply as highly effective iPad that Apple presents, the Mini.

BEST PRICE

OnePlus Pad

When you’re feeling adventurous, OnePlus’ newest pill runs on Android, has a smoother 144Hz show, and prices simply barely greater than the usual iPad.