New entry-level iPad 10 looks more Pro than ever

New entry-level iPad 10 looks more Pro than ever

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The 10th-generation iPad comes in four colors and brings a top-to-bottom redesign to Apple's entry-level tablet.
Photo: Apple

Apple gave the 2022 version of the basic iPad a larger screen, USB-C, a faster processor and other enhancements. And the Home button is gone. But along with the new features comes a huge 36% price increase.

“With a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, powerful A14 Bionic chip, a first-ever landscape front camera, fast wireless connectivity, USB-C, and support for incredible accessories like the new Magic Keyboard Folio, the new iPad delivers more value, more versatility — and is simply more fun,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

iPad 10 gets a facelift, new features

The iPad Pro hogs all the attention, but its Apple’s lower-cost tablets that dominate sales. So changes to the iPad 10 will affect millions of buyers.

While the product line has been steadily updated, with new versions coming every autumn since 2019, it’s been years since the design changed. The iPad 10 breaks out of the rut. It has a larger display, going from the 10.2-inch screen of its recent predecessors to a 10.9-inch one. That makes it the same size as the iPad Air, and almost as large as one iPad Pro version.

And Apple updated the casing with the flat edges used by other iPad models, and the iPhone too. This more closely aligns the tablet’s look with other Apple devices.

Part of the redesign is the end of the Home button. This made room for a larger display without making the tablet too bulky. It’s a trade off already made by all other iPadOS tablets.

Plus, Apple repositioned the Ultra Wide 12MP front camera to be alongside the landscape edge of the tablet. That makes it a better option for video conferencing, especially as it supports Center Stage.

USB-C, at last

The basic iPad was the last Apple tablet with a Lightning charging/data port. Not any longer: the 2022 model uses USB-C.

Every other Apple tablet uses the same port, as do all the MacBooks. Only iPhone continues to use Lightning, and that’s expected to change in 2023.

With a USB-C port, the iPad 10 can use plug-in accessories designed for Mac and other iPad models. Charging cables are the obvious example, but hubs and external monitors are also supported.

It continues to support Apple Pencil 1, not the newer version has had been rumored. An adapter will be needed to charger the stylus as it uses a Lightning connector.

Other changes

The new iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, up from the Apple A13 processor in its predecessor. Apple promises a 20% increase in CPU performance and a 10% improvement in graphics.

With the A14 Bionic chip, iPad 10 can create high-resolution videos in iMovie.
Photo: Apple

The upgraded 12MP Wide rear camera can take high-resolution photos and 4K video with support for 240-fps slo-mo.

iPad 10 brings significant price increase

The feature that kept the basic iPad popular was a very low price. It stayed at $329 for many years. The new version is much more expensive, starting at $449 – a $120 jump.

The 2022 iPad is already available to order at apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions. It will reach brick-and-mortar stores beginning Wednesday, October 26.

It’s available in 64GB and 256GB configurations, and in blue, pink, yellow, and silver. As noted, the Wi-Fi version has a starting price of $449 (US). The Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $599 (US).