Apple iPad 10th Generation Review

I recently had the chance to spend some quality time with the Apple iPad 10th Generation, and it certainly left an impression. A friend of mine picked one up from Amazon for school, and I’ve also heard plenty of positive feedback from others who’ve made the purchase. It’s clear this product is designed to appeal to a wide audience.

Observing how seamlessly my friend used it for everything from taking notes to streaming videos really showcased its versatility. The vibrant display and smooth performance stood out immediately. This review will explore whether this popular tablet lives up to the hype and if it’s the right choice for you.

Many people are looking for a reliable tablet that can handle daily tasks without breaking the bank. The Apple iPad 10th Generation aims to hit that sweet spot, offering a blend of modern features and the robust iPadOS experience. Let’s take a closer look at what it brings to the table in this comprehensive review.

Product Specs

* Display: 10.9-inch (27.7 cm) Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 2360 x 1640 resolution, True Tone, 500 nits brightness.
* Processor: A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine.
* Storage: 64GB or 256GB options.
* Rear Camera: 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture, Smart HDR 3, 4K video recording.
* Front Camera: 12MP Ultra Wide camera (landscape orientation), ƒ/2.4 aperture, 122° field of view, Center Stage.
* Audio: Stereo speakers (landscape).
* Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, Optional 5G cellular.
* Port: USB-C for charging and accessories.
* Sensors: Touch ID (in top button), Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensor.
* Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video.
* Dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm).
* Weight: Wi-Fi: 1.05 pounds (477 g); Wi-Fi + Cellular: 1.06 pounds (481 g).
* Operating System: iPadOS.
* Compatibility: Supports Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Magic Keyboard Folio.

This Product is Best For

The Apple iPad 10th Generation is an excellent product for students, casual users, and anyone needing a reliable, portable device. Its balance of performance, display quality, and ease of use makes it a fantastic everyday companion. If you’re looking for an upgrade from an older tablet or your first iPad, this model offers a compelling package.

It’s particularly well-suited for tasks like web browsing, email, video calls, and streaming movies. Students will appreciate its note-taking capabilities with the Apple Pencil and the versatility of the Magic Keyboard Folio. For families, it serves as a great shared device for entertainment and learning, offering robust parental controls.

Features Overview/Summary

The iPad 10th Generation brings a refreshing new design, moving away from the older bezel-heavy look. It now features an all-screen design with flat edges, giving it a more modern and premium feel. This aesthetic update makes it look more like its higher-end siblings, the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Under the hood, it’s powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which delivers solid performance for most daily activities. It handles multitasking, gaming, and creative apps with ease, ensuring a smooth user experience. The improved cameras, especially the landscape-oriented front camera with Center Stage, are also significant upgrades for video calls.

Feature Explanations

Modern Design and Display

The most striking change in this generation is its redesigned chassis. It now boasts uniform bezels around a larger 10.9-inch (27.7 cm) Liquid Retina display. This all-screen design makes content consumption more immersive and gives the tablet a sleek, contemporary appearance. The flat edges are comfortable to hold and align with Apple’s current design language.

The Liquid Retina display itself is vibrant and bright, offering a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels. With 500 nits of brightness and True Tone technology, colors are accurate and text is sharp. This makes it ideal for watching movies, browsing photos, or reading e-books, providing a pleasant visual experience in various lighting conditions.

A14 Bionic Chip Performance

At the heart of the iPad 10th Generation is the A14 Bionic chip. This powerful processor, first introduced in the iPhone 12 series, provides a significant boost in speed compared to previous entry-level iPads. It ensures that apps launch quickly, games run smoothly, and demanding tasks like video editing are handled without major slowdowns.

Whether you’re juggling multiple apps, working on a presentation, or enjoying graphically intensive games, the A14 Bionic chip keeps things responsive. This level of performance makes the iPad a reliable tool for both productivity and entertainment, offering a seamless experience for a wide range of users. It’s certainly a quality component.

Enhanced Camera System

Apple has significantly upgraded the cameras on the iPad 10th Generation. The rear 12MP Wide camera captures sharp photos and can record 4K video, making it suitable for quick snaps or scanning documents. It’s a capable camera for a tablet, offering good detail and color reproduction.

Perhaps the most notable improvement is the front-facing 12MP Ultra Wide camera, which is now positioned on the longer, landscape edge. This new placement is far more natural for video calls, as it centers your face when the iPad is in a stand or keyboard folio. It also features Center Stage, which automatically keeps you in the frame as you move around.

USB-C Connectivity

The switch to a USB-C port is a welcome modernization for the iPad 10th Generation. This universal standard allows for faster data transfer speeds and broader compatibility with accessories like external drives, monitors, and hubs. It means you can use the same charger for your iPad, MacBook, and many other devices, simplifying your tech setup.

This port also makes connecting to various peripherals much easier. You can plug in a camera to import photos, connect to a projector for presentations, or even charge your iPhone from the iPad. The versatility of USB-C significantly enhances the product’s utility for both personal and professional use cases.

Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Magic Keyboard Folio Support

The iPad 10th Generation supports the Apple Pencil (1st generation), transforming it into a powerful tool for creativity and productivity. Whether you’re sketching, annotating documents, or taking handwritten notes, the Pencil offers a precise and natural writing experience. It’s an essential accessory for many users.

Additionally, Apple introduced the Magic Keyboard Folio specifically for this iPad. This accessory combines a comfortable keyboard with a trackpad, essentially turning your iPad into a laptop-like device. It attaches magnetically, offers adjustable viewing angles, and provides a full-size typing experience, enhancing its utility for work and study.

iPadOS Experience

Running on iPadOS, the iPad 10th Generation benefits from a robust and intuitive operating system. iPadOS is designed to take full advantage of the tablet’s larger screen, offering powerful multitasking features like Split View and Slide Over. These features allow you to work on multiple apps simultaneously, boosting your productivity.

The App Store offers millions of apps optimized for the iPad, catering to every need from creative endeavors to business applications. Regular software updates bring new features and security enhancements, ensuring your device remains current and capable. The overall software quality is a major selling point for this product.

Pros

* Modern All-Screen Design: The sleek, updated look with flat edges and uniform bezels gives it a premium feel, making it a stylish product to own.
* Vibrant 10.9-inch (27.7 cm) Liquid Retina Display: Offers sharp details, accurate colors, and good brightness, perfect for media consumption and productivity.
* Capable A14 Bionic Chip: Provides smooth performance for daily tasks, gaming, and even more demanding applications, ensuring a responsive user experience.
* Landscape Front Camera with Center Stage: Ideal for video calls, keeping you centered in the frame even as you move, making virtual meetings much more engaging.
* USB-C Port: Offers modern connectivity, faster data transfer, and broad compatibility with a wide range of accessories and chargers.
* Good Battery Life: Delivers up to 10 hours of use on a single charge, allowing for extended periods of work or entertainment without needing to recharge frequently.
* Supports Magic Keyboard Folio: Transforms the iPad into a versatile laptop-like device, complete with a comfortable keyboard and trackpad for enhanced productivity.
* Multiple Color Options: Available in vibrant colors like Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow, allowing users to choose a style that matches their personality.
* iPadOS Ecosystem: Access to millions of optimized apps, powerful multitasking features, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
* Touch ID in Top Button: Provides secure and convenient authentication for unlocking the device and making purchases, easily accessible.
* Improved Stereo Speakers: Deliver clear and immersive audio, especially when holding the device in landscape orientation for movies or music.
* Excellent Build Quality: As expected from Apple, the iPad feels solid and well-constructed, suggesting good durability for long-term use.
* Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity: Offers faster and more reliable wireless internet speeds, improving streaming and download experiences.
* Optional 5G Cellular: For those who need internet access on the go, the cellular model provides fast and widespread mobile connectivity.
* Great for Education: Its combination of portability, app ecosystem, and accessory support makes it an ideal tool for students of all ages.

Cons

* Apple Pencil (1st Gen) Compatibility is Clunky: The iPad 10th Gen has a USB-C port, but the 1st Gen Apple Pencil charges via Lightning. This means you need a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter (sold separately) to charge and pair it, which can be an inconvenience.
* Mitigation: If you’re buying a new Apple Pencil, consider the latest USB-C Apple Pencil which is a more streamlined experience, though it lacks pressure sensitivity. For the 1st Gen Pencil, keep the adapter handy or look for third-party stylus alternatives that charge via USB-C.
* Higher Price Point Compared to Predecessor: The iPad 10th Generation is notably more expensive than the iPad 9th Generation. This might make some budget-conscious buyers hesitate, especially for basic use cases.
* Mitigation: Consider the increased features and modern design as an investment in a more future-proof device. Look for sales on Amazon or authorized retailers, or explore refurbished options if budget is a primary concern. The iPad 9th Gen remains an option if price is paramount.
* No Headphone Jack: Unlike its predecessor, the 10th Gen iPad removes the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. This means users will need to rely on wireless headphones or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
* Mitigation: Most modern headphones are wireless (Bluetooth), offering a convenient cable-free experience. If you prefer wired headphones, a simple and inexpensive USB-C to 3.5mm adapter can be purchased.
* Base Storage (64GB) Might Be Limited: For users who download many apps, games, or store a lot of photos and videos, 64GB can fill up quickly. There’s no expandable storage via microSD card.
* Mitigation: Opt for the 256GB model if your budget allows. Alternatively, rely on cloud storage services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox to offload files and free up space. Regularly manage your downloaded content and delete unused apps.

Comparison with Similar Products

When considering the Apple iPad 10th Generation, it’s helpful to compare it with its siblings and some alternatives. Each product offers a unique blend of features and price, impacting your purchase decision. This review aims to give you a clear perspective.

Apple iPad (9th Generation):
The 9th Gen iPad is the direct predecessor and remains a strong contender, especially if budget is a major factor. It retains the classic design with larger bezels and a home button with Touch ID. It’s powered by the A13 Bionic chip, which is still very capable for most tasks.

Crucially, the 9th Gen is significantly more affordable. It also keeps the 3.5mm headphone jack and natively supports the 1st Gen Apple Pencil without an adapter, as it has a Lightning port. However, you miss out on the modern design, USB-C, and the landscape front camera of the 10th Gen.

Apple iPad Air (5th Generation):
Stepping up from the 10th Gen is the iPad Air 5th Generation, which shares a similar all-screen design. The Air truly shines with its M1 chip, offering substantially more power, akin to some MacBooks. This makes it a beast for demanding creative work, heavy multitasking, and future-proofing.

The iPad Air also supports the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, which attaches magnetically and charges wirelessly. Its display is also slightly better with P3 wide color support. However, it comes at a higher price, making the 10th Gen a more accessible entry point for many users who don’t need that extreme power.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series:
If you’re open to the Android ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series offers compelling alternatives. These tablets often boast beautiful AMOLED displays, which provide deeper blacks and more vibrant colors than the iPad’s LCD panel. They also come with an S Pen included in the box, saving you an extra purchase.

Samsung tablets run Android, which offers a different app experience. While Android has improved for tablets, iPadOS still often has a larger selection of tablet-optimized apps. The choice between iPadOS and Android largely depends on your existing ecosystem and preferred software experience.

Microsoft Surface Go 3/4:
For those prioritizing a more traditional desktop experience in a tablet form factor, the Microsoft Surface Go series is worth considering. These devices run full Windows, making them excellent for productivity and compatibility with legacy software. They also feature a built-in kickstand.

However, the Surface Go series typically has less powerful processors than iPads at similar price points, and the battery life can be shorter. They are heavier and thicker, and their tablet-first experience isn’t as polished as iPadOS. It’s a different kind of product for a different kind of user, often leaning more towards lightweight laptop replacement.

Ultimately, the Apple iPad 10th Generation strikes a great balance. It offers a modern Apple tablet experience without the premium price of the Air or Pro models. It’s an excellent product for anyone seeking a capable and stylish device for everyday use, and a solid upgrade for many.

User Comments

Overall, users have a very positive impression of the Apple iPad 10th Generation, highlighting its refreshed design, improved performance, and versatility. Many appreciate the shift to USB-C and the landscape front camera. The general consensus is that it’s a fantastic all-around tablet for students and casual users, offering a significant upgrade from older models.

Here are some individual comments, reflecting the various experiences and opinions:

* “This iPad completely transformed my study routine. The new design looks so much better, and writing notes with the Apple Pencil is incredibly smooth. The battery life easily gets me through a full day of classes and then some. Definitely a worthwhile purchase for any student.”
* “I was hesitant about the price increase, but after using it for a few weeks, I can say it’s worth it. The screen is gorgeous, and everything feels snappy. I mostly use it for streaming and browsing, and it excels at both. The quality is top-notch, as expected from Apple.”
* “The landscape camera with Center Stage is a game-changer for my video calls with family. It’s so much more natural than having the camera on the side. Plus, moving to USB-C means one less cable to carry around. It’s a great product for staying connected.”
* “My only gripe is the Apple Pencil adapter situation. It feels a bit clunky having to use an extra piece for charging. Other than that, the iPad itself is fantastic. The performance is great for the games I play, and the colors on the display are vibrant. Still, something to consider before you buy.”
* “I upgraded from an iPad Air 2, and the difference is night and day. The speed, the screen, the modern look – it’s all a massive improvement. I use it for reading, emails, and light photo editing, and it handles everything perfectly. A solid review from me!”
* “I bought this iPad primarily for media consumption and some light work. The stereo speakers are surprisingly good, especially when watching movies. It feels premium in hand, and the new color options are a nice touch. Amazon delivered it quickly too!”
* “For the price, this iPad delivers a lot of features. The A14 chip keeps things running smoothly, and I love having Touch ID in the power button. It’s convenient and reliable. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile tablet.”
* “The base 64GB storage is a bit tight for me, as I download a lot of movies for travel. I wish I had sprung for the 256GB model. However, for everyday use, it’s a powerful and beautiful device. Just be mindful of your storage needs when you purchase.”
* “I got the Magic Keyboard Folio with it, and it genuinely feels like a mini-laptop. Typing is comfortable, and the trackpad is responsive. It’s perfect for getting actual work done on the go. This combination makes the iPad a serious productivity tool.”

Final Verdict

The Apple iPad 10th Generation presents a compelling package for anyone in the market for a versatile and modern tablet. It successfully bridges the gap between the budget-friendly iPad 9th Gen and the more powerful iPad Air, offering a fantastic blend of features and performance. This review finds it to be a high-quality product.

Its refreshed design, vibrant 10.9-inch (27.7 cm) display, and the capable A14 Bionic chip make it a joy to use for a wide array of tasks. From streaming your favorite shows to tackling school assignments with the Magic Keyboard Folio, this iPad handles it all with grace. The landscape front camera is a thoughtful addition, significantly enhancing video calls.

While the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) charging situation is a minor inconvenience, it’s a small hurdle in an otherwise excellent experience. The price is higher than its predecessor, but the upgrades in design and connectivity offer good value for a device that feels much more current and future-proof. It’s a product designed to last.

Ultimately, if you’re looking to buy a new iPad that offers a modern look, strong performance for everyday use, and the robust iPadOS ecosystem, the Apple iPad 10th Generation is an outstanding choice. It’s a device that will serve you well for years to come, making it a smart purchase. You can find it on Amazon and other major retailers.