iPad 10th generation (2022): a strangely successful iPad


Apple relaunches its iPad range with the iPad 10e generation. Featuring symmetrical edges and a larger screen, the new iPad will support the Magic Keyboard and come with the latest version of iPadOS (16.1). But compared to its predecessors, it now costs 589 euros. Ouch.

At a time when consumers are cutting back, raising the price of your most affordable line of iPads is sure to get some attention — and not necessarily a good one. Still, after spending a week with the iPad of 10e generation, I can’t help but think that Apple has managed to justify this price increase. In several respects, the “regular” iPad even surpasses the iPad Pro.

In practical terms, this year’s iPad lineup is more confusing than ever. The classic iPad is nearly identical to the iPad Air and has several features not available on the iPad Pro…and Apple is still selling last year’s iPad for $439.

Is it suddenly useful to fall for the latest iPad (10e generation) ? That’s what we’re going to see.

Apple iPad 10 (2022)

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Features

  • Processor : Apple A14 Bionic
  • Screen : 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage : 64 GB, 256 GB
  • Rear camera: 12MP
  • Front camera: 12 MP ultra wide-angle FaceTime
  • Battery : up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi (9 hours on cell)
  • Connectivity: USB-C, Smart Connector
  • Operating system : iPadOS 16.1
  • Colors: silver, yellow, pink, blue

New on the design

Apple iPad 10th Gen Display

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

Since the arrival of the Pro, Air and Mini models, the standard iPad has always been the ugly duckling on the hardware level. This is changing this year. Instead of Touch ID and the home button on the front, the new iPad features thinner bezels surrounding a larger (10.9-inch) Liquid Retina display. The fingerprint sensor has been moved to the outer edge and speakers are on the left and right sides of the device when held in landscape mode. The set weighs about 480 grams.

If this were an iPad Air test, everything I just listed would also apply. The two models are identical in this regard, so much so that if you displayed the regular iPad next to the iPad Air in a store, the latter would likely be more eye-catching for one simple reason: color.

Apple iPad 10th Gen Blue Thickness

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

Now you might be wondering, “Did that reporter just say that color is the reason people are going to buy the new iPad?” Yes, and I say it with aplomb.

Apple clearly has a knack for churning out colorful devices and knows full well that as the holiday season approaches, it’s not processors or software features that will drive sales, but the arc. rainbows of gadgets — meticulously arranged on wooden tables in Apple Stores around the world.

Other changes improve the experience regarding this tablet. Positives include USB-C support (which makes the iPhone the last product line not to convert to the universal charger), 5G support for connectivity in displacement and a new 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. We will come back to it.

As for the changes no one wanted: there’s a new dongle! iPad 10e generation does not support Apple Pencil 2e generation and, with the conversion to USB-C, no longer has a port to plug the original Apple Pencil directly into. The solution, as with many Apple accessories, is an adapter (female to female, Lightning to USB-C) that bridges the stylus to the iPad’s USB-C port. Since the new iPad doesn’t have a magnetic strip to attach the Apple Pencil to, the dongle and stylus are two accessories you’ll need to carry separately.

What is a computer?

Remember the campaign touting the iPad as your next computer? It was ages ago, yes, but the question still arises this year. And while replacing your laptop or desktop with the standard model seems unlikely to me, Apple wants you to believe it’s possible.

Who says new iPad says new accessories: the new Magic Keyboard Folio has a flexible kickstand that gives the tablet viewing angles similar to those of a Surface Pro. The accessory has a row of 14 function keys – you know, the shortcuts you typically find on the MacBook Pro keyboard – and retails for $299. All the same.

Apple iPad 10th Gen Magic Keyboard Folio

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

Other than the price, my only complaint about this accessory is that it’s not the most suitable for use on the lap — unless you have long legs. As is the case with all kickstand stands, the 2-in-1 design requires too much vertical space to position optimally.

With the Apple Pencil, the Magic Keyboard and the multitasking functions of the iPad, you get a semi-pro iPad. I say semi-pro because, while the new iPad runs iPadOS 16.1 (the same as the iPad Pro), it doesn’t have Stage Manager. This may be Apple’s way of differentiating between iPad models, but if you’re offering $300 accessories, users should be able to take advantage of every possible feature the hardware offers.

Good Enough

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

As for the performance of the iPad, I was very happy with the price-performance ratio. I put the tablet through series of 4K video editing via iMovie, gaming sessions on wild rift and Asphalt 9 at 60 fps and web browsing interspersed with streaming. The A14 Bionic chip handled all of this without issue.

How the “regular” iPad beats the Pro

The iPad beats the Pro model on two counts. The first concerns Apple’s accessories. The row of 14 function keys on the Magic Keyboard is exclusive to the standard iPad, although Apple has also just released a new iPad Pro.

The second point where the standard iPad differs from the iPad Pro is the location of the camera. Generally speaking, placing the camera on the long edge improves video calls and photos.

Apple 4

Image: June Wan/ZDNET.

Considering the likelihood that this iPad will serve you for FaceTime with your family or video calls for work, this choice makes all the difference.

Battery and autonomy

To be honest, I was initially disappointed with the endurance of the iPad 10e generation. Admittedly, the first few days are often complicated due to the mass downloading of applications and the configuration of the device, but the battery life seemed weak to me. I finished my first two days about 20% to 30% at the end of each night.

Luckily, that wasn’t the case for the second half of my test week – and I expect the 7-8 hours of use per day to hold up. I must say, however, that the standardization of USB-C across all iPads has been a godsend. Instead of having to carry around a dedicated Lightning cable for the standard model, I only need one charger to power my smartphone, laptop, wireless earbuds, and now iPad.

Conclusion

Obviously, the real problem with the iPad is its price: 589 euros is not nothing, especially if we compare it to the 439 euros of the iPad 9e generation that Apple still sells. Moreover, the device only comes with 64 GB of storage. Just installing my apps filled 15 GB.

If you’re on a budget, last year’s iPad should be more interesting. But I can’t help but compare the iPad 10e generation with the rest of the Apple range, whose models are all more expensive and which, in several respects, are not as good as this model.

If you are still unsure about which iPad model to choose, here are my tips:

  • iPads: if you want a modern, flawless Apple tablet that does 70% of what the Pro can do.
  • iPad Mini: if you want a compact and portable iPad that’s great for taking notes and reading e-books.
  • iPad Pro: if you want a tablet to work efficiently that supports touch and stylus input.

The question that remains is what will happen to the iPad Air, now that the standard iPad is virtually the same size and weight – and costs significantly less. What is certain is that Apple’s iPad range is more complicated than ever.

Alternatives

Source: ZDNet.com





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