After the new iPad Pro M2, it is the iPad 10 which has just passed through the hands of the first American media which, as always, receive the new devices a few days before their release. While the iPad Pro M2 is a small evolution of last year’s M1 with few changes, the 10th generation iPad revolutionizes the range. But at what cost ! As we pointed out during our comparison between iPad 10 and iPad Air 5, the difference between the models is tenuous and it is difficult to swallow a pill of more than 200 euros between the iPad 10 and the iPad 9.
A brand new iPad, but at a salty price
The completely redesigned 10th generation iPad will begin arriving at customers and launching in stores this Wednesday, October 26.
For the record, the new features of the 10th generation iPad include a larger 10.9-inch screen with flat edges that offers a more modern design (finally), the A14 Bionic chip, a USB-C port, a button Touch ID power button in place of the home button, a landscape FaceTime camera, 5G support on cellular models, Wi-Fi 6, and a new two-piece Magic Keyboard Folio accessory with a row of function keys. Prices start at 589 euros, with the ninth-generation iPad still available for 429 euros (+40 euros).
The new iPad is available in blue, pink, silver and yellow, bringing bold new colors to the low-cost iPad lineup.
A delicate position in the range
Our colleague from The Verge confirmed that the 10th generation iPad is in a delicate position between the iPad Air and the 9th generation iPad:
In a vacuum, there’s very little to fault the 10th generation iPad. It’s a great tablet that does everything you expect from a tablet very well. Even if its screen is not as good as that of other iPads, it is good enough, and its performance is impeccable. If it was the only iPad sold by Apple, many people would buy it and be perfectly happy with it.
But in the context of the many other iPads sold by Apple, I don’t see why you would choose this one. If cost is a factor, if you’re buying an iPad for a child, or if you need a headphone jack, the ninth generation model, still available and much cheaper, is the one to choose. For many people, the ninth generation model is the best iPad for their needs. If you want a bigger screen and a more modern design, the iPad Air is here with its better screen, an even faster processor and a better array of accessories, and you can often get it for less than $100. more than the new iPad.
On the side of WIRED, it is also estimated that the new iPad 2022 occupies an odd place in the range:
When we do the accounts, reality imposes itself. The affordable, high-performance iPad, which started at $329, has now dropped to $449. And that’s not including the extra cost of accessories (Apple charges $249 for the Keyboard Folio). It’s hard to justify a $120 price hike over its predecessor, especially when one of the “upgrades” is the removal of the headphone jack. It doesn’t help that Apple continues to sell the ninth generation iPad for $329 and the iPad Air is usually priced around $519 at retailers like Amazon. The 10th generation tablet is in a strange situation.
A powerful front camera
For CNET, on the other hand, the quality of the new FaceTime camera is to be welcomed:
The one big thing I expected from the iPad has arrived, like a magical wish granted: The oddly placed front camera on the iPad is now on the edge of the landscape. It’s awesome. Why is it awesome? Because I work on iPads in landscape mode, in cases, stands, and keyboard docks. When I Zoom or FaceTime on other iPads, my face looks weirdly off, my eyes looking away. It is now corrected. Combined with the Center Stage auto-zoom technology, this iPad’s video chat camera is absolutely perfect.
A faster chip
We move on to performance with Tom’s Guide who shared benchmark results showing that the A14 Bionic chip of the new iPad is up to 30% faster than the A13 chip of the previous model:
On Geekbench 5, which measures overall performance, the 2022 iPad scored 1,580 in single-core and 4,400 in multi-core, which is a marked improvement over the 1,384 and 3,387 scored by the 9th generation iPad. However, the iPad Air with its M1 chip scored a much higher 1,707/7,151.
The adapter for Apple Pencil goes wrong
From TheStreet’s side, the tablet is a good buy, although an iPad 9 may still represent a little more value for money. The fact that the 10th generation iPad requires an adapter to charge and pair the first generation Apple Pencil is a drawback to keep in mind:
The quirks come with support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. I’m all for switching to USB-C, but it’s not Apple’s closest experience to charging it. There is also the fact that the adapter is quite hard to find at the moment.But if you can get past it, it’s a great iPad, and if you’re someone looking to swim between iPad tasks and more advanced ones, it’s a great choice. The $449 price tag also includes 64GB of storage, which is a clutch. It can also be paired with the Magic Keyboard Folio ($249) for a laptop-like experience that keeps you working. And when it’s time to play, just detach the keyboard.
A more practical iPad with the Magic Keyboard Folio
For Engadget, the iPad 10 is still welcome in the range, in particular thanks to its larger screen and its finally complete keyboard (optional at 299 euros).
Although the new iPad is slightly larger and thicker than the Air, my first impression upon picking it up was one of complete familiarity. The feel is almost identical to the Air, but it’s obviously a completely different experience to using last year’s model with the old Home button. Although the 10.9-inch screen isn’t significantly bigger than the old 10.2-inch screen, it’s just big enough to make multitasking more comfortable. I miss things like the iPad Pro’s fully laminated display and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, but I notice the “air gap” between the display and front glass less on this iPad than I do on n any of the older base models. While the iPad Air technically has a better screen than this tablet, the difference between the two models has been reduced considerably.Between the bigger screen and the new trackpad-equipped Magic Keyboard Folio, I feel much more productive on the new iPad than on last year’s model. The trackpad may be small, but when using the iPad with a keyboard, it’s much more convenient to use than reaching out to touch the screen every time you want to move a cursor or switch apps. And the row of function keys that Apple included on the Smart Keyboard Folio is something that should have been included on every other iPad keyboard that the company has made, so I can’t give them too much credit for finally having got it right here.
Buy iPad 10 2022
The new iPad 10 can be ordered now and will be available in stores from Wednesday, October 26. It starts at 589 euros for 64 GB or 789 euros for 256 GB, without the Magic Keyboard Folio keyboard case which is sold for 299 euros as an option. Ouch!
Video reviews
Finally, to finish, here are some video reviews of the brand new iPad 10, allowing you to see the colors in action:
Note: iPhoneSoft uses affiliate links whenever possible. When you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, which helps us maintain this site at no additional cost to you.