The Apple iPad (10th Generation) brings several upgrades and refinements to Apple’s tablet lineup. It strikes a balance between performance, usability, and price, making it an appealing option for a wide range of users.
The Apple iPad (10th Generation) brings several upgrades and refinements to Apple’s tablet lineup. It strikes a balance between performance, usability, and price, making it an appealing option for a wide range of users. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip and featuring a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, this iPad offers a robust and versatile experience. Here is a breakdown of its pros, cons, and detailed features:
Key Specifications
- Processor: A14 Bionic chip
- Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 resolution, True Tone
- Storage: 64GB (also available in 256GB variant)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
- Front Camera: 12MP Ultra Wide (landscape orientation)
- Rear Camera: 12MP Wide
- Authentication: Touch ID (built into the power button)
- Battery: All-day battery life, around 10 hours on web browsing or video playback
Pros
1. Powerful Performance with A14 Bionic Chip
The A14 Bionic chip is a significant boost in processing power for this iPad. This chip, which was first introduced in the iPhone 12 series, provides excellent performance for multitasking, gaming, and handling demanding applications. It’s efficient and fast, offering smooth navigation and the ability to run several apps simultaneously without lag. The A14 also supports machine learning tasks, making it suitable for photo editing, graphic design, and more.
2. Excellent Display Quality
The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display is a standout feature. With a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, it delivers crisp images, vibrant colors, and sharp text. True Tone technology adjusts the display’s white balance according to ambient light, making it comfortable to view in various lighting conditions. The larger screen is particularly beneficial for watching videos, gaming, or productivity tasks like document editing and presentations.
3. Upgraded Front Camera (12MP Ultra-Wide)
Apple has placed a lot of emphasis on video conferencing and content creation with the 10th-generation iPad. The front-facing 12MP Ultra-Wide camera is placed in landscape orientation, which feels more natural for video calls. The camera supports Centre Stage, a feature that keeps the user in focus even as they move around during a call. This is ideal for FaceTime and Zoom calls, improving the overall video calling experience.
4. Wi-Fi 6 Support
With Wi-Fi 6, the iPad 10th generation offers faster and more reliable connectivity. This is particularly useful in crowded networks or when streaming high-resolution content. The improved Wi-Fi standard ensures lower latency, and better performance in congested environments, and future-proofs the device for new network technologies.
5. iPadOS and Ecosystem Integration
The 10th-generation iPad runs iPadOS, which brings desktop-like features such as Split View, Slide Over, and the ability to use a keyboard or mouse. Integration with the Apple ecosystem is seamless. Features like Handoff, Continuity, and iCloud make it easier to transition between Apple devices and manage tasks, whether you’re on an iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch.
6. All-Day Battery Life
True to Apple’s claims, the 10th-generation iPad offers all-day battery life, lasting around 10 hours on web browsing or video playback. This makes it a reliable companion for travel, school, or work without needing to worry about finding a charging point constantly.
Cons
1. Limited Storage Options
The base model of the iPad 10th generation comes with 64GB of storage, which might not be enough for some users. With growing app sizes, 4K video recordings, and high-resolution media, the 64GB can fill up quickly. There is no 128GB variant, and the next available option is 256GB, which requires a significant price jump. Additionally, there is no option to expand storage with an SD card, limiting flexibility for users who need more space.
2. No Face ID
While the iPad does have Touch ID built into the power button, it lacks Face ID, a feature that many users have come to expect in higher-end Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad Pro models. Face ID is quicker and more seamless, especially when using the device in different orientations. The absence of this feature may be a drawback for some users who are used to Apple’s premium authentication method.
3. Lack of Compatibility with 2nd-generation Apple Pencil
Surprisingly, this iPad does not support the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, which offers superior features like magnetic attachment and wireless charging. Instead, it remains compatible only with the 1st-generation Apple Pencil. While still a powerful tool for sketching, drawing, and note-taking, the older Pencil design requires an adapter to charge via the iPad’s USB-C port, which feels a bit clunky and outdated.
4. No ProMotion Display
The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, while excellent in many respects, lacks ProMotion technology. ProMotion provides a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes for smoother scrolling, more responsive touch inputs, and better overall fluidity in motion-heavy tasks. This omission will be particularly noticeable for users coming from the iPad Pro or those who are accustomed to high refresh rate screens.
5. Higher Price Compared to Previous Models
The 10th-generation iPad comes at a slightly higher price point compared to its predecessors. While the performance and feature upgrades justify this to some extent, it places the iPad closer to the iPad Air price range. For budget-conscious buyers, this might be a deterrent, especially when the iPad Air offers better performance and a sleeker design for not much more.
6. No Headphone Jack
Apple continues its trend of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, even in its non-Pro models like this iPad. While wireless headphones have become more common, many users still prefer the reliability and simplicity of wired headphones. The lack of a headphone jack means users will either need to purchase an adapter or use Bluetooth headphones.
Who Should Buy It?
The 10th-generation iPad is ideal for those who want a capable and well-rounded device for everyday tasks, education, and content consumption. It’s a great option for students, casual users, and those who already have other Apple devices. The improved front camera makes it a solid choice for video conferencing, while the A14 chip ensures it can handle more intensive tasks, such as photo editing and gaming.
However, users who need a device for professional-grade tasks, require more storage, or prefer the latest accessories like the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil might want to consider the iPad Air or iPad Pro, which offer more power and flexibility at a slightly higher price.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad (10th Generation) represents a solid upgrade over its predecessors, offering a combination of power, portability, and ease of use. While it lacks some premium features like Face ID, ProMotion, and compatibility with the latest Apple Pencil, its performance, excellent display, and solid battery life make it a compelling choice for many users. Its higher price and storage limitations might push some towards other models, but for most users, this iPad offers a balanced and high-quality experience.
