Is the new iPad an excellent tablet? A review on Apple slates for gamers and budding bumper kids, and from laptops to tablets
The new iPad is an excellent $449 tablet. It’s gorgeous, faster than anything in its price range, and gives you an unparalleled software experience that will make you want to have fun or be productive. If you’re getting your first iPad or upgrading from a 7th-generation model or older, it’s well worth the price tag.
Powering the new iPad is Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which the company says will offer a 20% bump in processing performance and 10% better graphics compared to the 9th-gen iPad. Apple says you can get up to triple the performance from a 7th-gen model. The new iPad features both a physical sim card and virtual eSIM option, and has 5G compatibility on a cellular model, meaning you’ll enjoy better internet speeds for those with your own modem.
It is better to go with the 9th-gen model over the 7th or 8th-gen one if you would like to keep using it. Because the 10th-gen model introduces a new size and design, it won’t work with keyboards and cases designed for generations 7 through 9, like Apple’s popular Smart Keyboard. If you want to make your 10th-gen iPad into a laptop, then you will need a specifically made set of keys that can be connected to the new model.
The new iPad has a sleek and shiny design, but the switch from Lightning tousb-c for charging is also significant. The iPad is just like every modern tech device in terms of charging port and compatibility with the plethora of accessories you already own in the house.
Other improvements include a front-facing camera that now rests on the landscape (horizontal) edge, which should allow for more natural angles during video calls. You’ll also get an improved 12-megapixel-wide camera on the back, which should allow for better photos and rich 4K video — if you’re willing to run around using your iPad as a camera, of course.
There’s no denying that the new iPad is a great tablet, with fast performance, a vivid display and all of the software magic that makes any Apple slate a joy to use. But is it the right iPad for you? I have been playing games for many days, chatting with friends, and writing a review on it.
The blue review unit is stunning and a refreshing change from the gray and silver options found on older iPad models. The slate can be picked in either red, yellow or silver. Fortunately, Apple’s latest tablet feels as great as it looks, with an airy one-pound design that was comfortable to hold throughout long sessions of couch-bound gaming and web surfing. The Touch ID button now rests at the top of the display rather than the front to allow for those slimmer display bezels, and it was reliable as ever for unlocking the iPad with a quick fingerprint scan.
The A14 Bionic chip that powers the new iPad and the A13 Bionic chip that powers the previous iPad have both contributed to the new iPad’s fast performance. The new iPad’s Multi-core scores were more than double that of the 9th Gen model and were higher than the more expensive S8 Ultra, but still on par with the latest iPad Mini. The new iPad scores were a bit higher than the newer iPad Pro models, but they were the best we have seen at this price.
The new iPad has a very good battery life that allows me to work through an intensive 8-hour workday, play games and watch live football on Saturdays as long as I stay away from work on Sundays. Video playback was definitely the biggest drain — the tablet gave out after just over 5 hours on our continuous 4K video test — but in terms of everyday on-and-off use, you likely won’t have to charge the iPad more than once a day.
The new iPad has a larger screen than the old model, giving it a bump in overall screen space from 10 to 10.9 inches. It is not massive but it allows for even more real estate on what has been a vibrant canvas. When I opened the trailer for the movie, it contained a lot of detail, even though the film was just a few minutes long.
That said, the base iPad display is starting to show its age, particularly if you’re used to the smoother, richer screens on the iPad Pro series. Certain details (such as the text under app icons) look just a tad pixelated, and after getting used to the fluid 120Hz ProMotion display on my iPhone 14 Pro, the iPad’s standard 60Hz screen feels a little bit sluggish when scrolling through apps and web pages.
The camera on the 10th Gen iPad is better, starting with a 12mp TrueDepth front camera that is now ideal for landscape orientation and helping me stay centered during calls with friends and family. And any time I moved, Apple’s Center Stage technology (which follows your face to keep you in focus) was there to get me right back in frame. Center Stage isn’t new (you’ll also find it on the previous-gen iPad), but it’s still a trip to see in action, and worked reliably across calls on FaceTime and WebEx.
I’ve been using the iPad in tandem with Apple’s new $249 Magic Keyboard Folio, which just might be the company’s best keyboard cover yet. Its bouncy, satisfying keys feel nearly as good as the ones on my MacBook, and its trackpad gives me ample space for navigating apps and browser tabs. The $299 Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro has a row of physical function keys for things like adjusting brightness, volume, or audio, but this one has a full row of physical function keys. It is the most satisfying laptop experience on the iPad, in terms of using a keyboard.
That said, you can always connect a Bluetooth keyboard or go with a cheaper third-party option, like the excellent Logitech Combo Touch. But if you do splurge on the new Folio, you’ll find a lot to like.
For just $50 more than the 10th Gen iPad, you can get the 6th Gen iPad Mini, which features a slightly faster A15 processor and a more compact 8.3-inch design alongside 2nd gen Apple Pencil support. It’s the better option for portability, but it also sacrifices first-party keyboard support.
The new iPad continues to support the first-generation Apple Pencil, and it worked great for everything from writing quick to-do lists or applying various levels of pressure while doodling in Sketchbook. But because of the iPad’s switch to USB-C, the already-awkward process of pairing and charging your Apple Pencil has gotten even more complicated.
It’s disappointing that the more advanced 2nd-gen Apple Pencil won’t support this iPad because it has perks like wireless charging/pairing and double-tap controls. Considering that this advanced Apple Pencil works with the similar iPad Air and iPad Mini, it makes little sense that the 10th Gen iPad was left out.
The iPad works with all of the cables, even the one you get out of the box is too short. I often use the iPad at my desk as a laptop replacement, and the included 3-foot braided cable isn’t nearly long enough to reach from my power strip to the tablet’s charging port. To fix the situation, I’ve been relying on the much longer USB-C cord that I use to charge my MacBook Pro when I’m in work mode.
5G: An Overview of the Apple Pencil and Related Upgrades on the 9th Generation and 10th-Generation iPads
The rear camera on the iPad has an upgrade that can shoot in 4K and capture slow motion video at 120 frames per second. While those perks are nice for YouTubers and casual video creators, I’m not sure how many people are using their tablet to record high-quality video out in the wild.
Both the 9th-gen and 10th-gen iPad offer cellular options for folks who want (or need) to get online anywhere, but only the newest model supports 5G. That means that, with a supported cellular plan and in a supported area, you’ll get better browsing speeds on the go. 5G is still an evolving technology and works better in some regions than others, but investing in a 5G iPad will make you more future-proofed in the long run. If you have a dual-mode wi-fi routers, the new model can be used with a faster internet connection.
The lack of a headphone jack is glaring for all of its impressive upgrades. A 3.5mm adapter can be picked up if you want to use the wired cans or earbuds. The 9th-gen model will allow you to easily use your existing wired headphones, even if you haven’t got a wired pair in your house. The charging of an Apple Pencil with the older iPad is not as complex as it might be.