Apple’s base model iPad has at last caught up with the rest of the lineup. The new 10th-generation iPad looks, charges, connects, and performs a lot more like its iPad Pro and iPad Air siblings.
The new iPads were unveiled Tuesday alongside a new Apple TV 4K and M2-powered iPad Pros.
New display
The 10th-gen iPads feature a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner, wraparound bezels similar to the Air and Pro models. The display boasts a resolution of 2360×1640 and can reach a peak brightness of 500 nits. Apple has also brought True Tone technology to this device for the first time, allowing the color temperature of the display to warm or cool in response to the lighting in the room you’re in for more comfortable viewing.
Goodbye Home Button
As part of this change to the display, Apple has finally removed the home button from this base model in favor of the gesture-based navigation that the iPhones and iPads Air and Pro have been running for several years. That means Touch ID moves to the top button of the device, just as it has done on the iPad Air and iPad Mini 6.
Hello USB-C
The redesign also ushers in the removal of the Lightning port from this base model iPad, bringing USB-C connectivity and charging. Apple has also improved the device’s Wi-Fi connectivity to the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, while cellular models now have 5G conenctivity.
Apple has also placed a faster, though still old, A14 Bionic chip at the heart of this iPad. The chip brings CPU improvements of 20 percent and GPU improvements of 10 percent over the previous generation.
Camera improvements
The 10th-gen iPad also features some notable camera improvements. For starters, Apple has finally placed the front-facing camera on the long, or landscape, edge of the device. This means that when you place the iPad in landscape mode, the camera will be on top much like it is on a laptop. That front-facing camera has a 12MP sensor and a 122-degree field of view with support for Center Stage.
The rear cameras have been upgraded as well, also with a 12MP sensor with support for 4K video and 240fps slo-mo video.
New Magic Keyboard Folio
Alongside the new iPads, Apple has launched the new $249 Magic Keyboard Folio. The folio features full-sized keys and a large, click-anywhere trackpad. The keyboard features 14 function keys for adjusting volume of display brightness.
The keyboard attaches magnetically to the iPad’s Smart Connector and can also be detached from the folio while keeping the protective back in place. The back features an adjustable stand.
Pricing
The 10th-generation iPad starts at $449 for Wi-Fi-only models with 64GB of storage, while Wi-Fi+Cellular models start at $599. You can order now, with availability starting October 26.
