Introduced last week, the new iPad will be available on October 26. If it stands out for its aesthetic evolution, it abandons the Lightning port in passing to recharge in USB-C. Price, power and display now distinguish it from the iPad Air, or even the iPad Pro. The iPad (10th generation) is still the cheapest of the lot, but it now starts at almost $600.
Its advantages
New look for a new life
This is the great revolution of 2022 for the iPad. No more big bezels and Touch ID button on the front. I also ended up lightning plug into an apple trackpad. The tenth-generation iPad now sports the same straight lines as the iPad Air and iPad Pro, with a much larger screen (10.9-inches -like the iPad Air- instead of the previous 10.2-inches), larger quality than the already excellent previous model.
The new iPad even has the luxury of being offered in pink, blue, or yellow in addition to silver. However, the borders are still a bit wide: we would have liked Apple to nibble a few millimeters as well to have a larger panel, of the same size.
The Touch ID button has cleverly changed to the power button on the top edge (in portrait version) and is used for unlocking the iPad, Apple Pay, or password validation. But there’s no facial recognition here, which remains the prerogative of the iPad Pro. We also like the volume +/- buttons that intelligently change depending on the direction you’re holding the iPad.
Goodbye Lightning, hello USB-C!
Some will say “FinallyOthers may lament the now impossible compatibility with old Lightning accessories. But the 2022 iPad now recharges via USB-C. In addition to satisfying the European Union and thus equipping all its iPads like its MacBooks from the same port, Apple allows users of the basic model to connect different devices such as external drives, cameras and other USB-C accessories to work and upload files. on the iPad. The USB-C/USB-C cable and 20W power adapter come in the box, but iPad can take advantage of fast charging offered by more powerful charger models.
There are also the three Smart Connector points on the larger bottom edge for attaching in particular the new Magic Keyboard Folio (optional) and other compatible keyboard models or cases.
The power to do it all
For 2022, Apple is updating its most affordable iPad. It is now equipped with the A14 Bionic chip, the one from the iPhone 12 and the 2020 iPad Air. This is almost a 20% gain in performance and speed compared to the previous iPad, but also better autonomy and greater ability for users. video game.
Whether it’s editing videos with multiple 4K files, editing photos, playing demanding games, or running augmented reality apps, iPad never suffers and can handle multiple open apps in parallel. This is also helped by iPadOS 16, based on iOS 16, which makes it extremely intuitive to use, even for novices.
To top it off, the fast internet connection enabled by support for Wi-Fi 6 and 5G for the cellular version is more than appreciable.
The camera
Even if a touchpad is rarely made for taking photos, Apple has improved the module on the back for those tempted. The camera now shows 12 Mpx (vs 8 Mpx), a better aperture to be a bit more effective when the light goes down. The iPad can now record 4K video at 60fps. The result of the camera is honest, without being up to a smartphone either.
On the front, iPad benefits from a 12MP ultra-wide camera, with a Center Frame feature that follows you around and widens your field of view in front of a small group of people. Apple has decided to hide its camera module at the top edge, horizontally, while it is usually found on the left side in landscape mode. Video calls are of high quality and are well supported by an efficient microphone as well as two side speakers.
Our reservations
The first generation Apple Pencil
Why make it simple when you can make it complicated? To make life easier for those who have already invested in the first-generation Apple Pencil, Apple is maintaining this compatibility. Apple’s first stylus of the name has the merit of being less expensive than its successor for the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini of the last few generations. Only that it recharges through a Lightning port, now defunct.
To recharge it, but also simply to link it, you need a USB-C / Lightning adapter that is not supplied with the iPad and therefore you pay an additional 10 euros at the time of purchase. Even if that means standardizing everything, we would have preferred the trackpad to be compatible with both Apple Pencils.
price increase
Launched at 389 euros last year, the iPad 2021 has seen its price rise to 50 euros recently due to the component crisis and the rise of the dollar against the euro. Its successor suffers this same double penalty in addition to its design change and technological advancement. Entry price for a touchpad at Apple now starts at €589 for 64GB of storage. The makeover, the addition of a little more power, USB-C and a better camera on the back come to 150 euros.
Conclusion: power that is worth what it costs
The tenth-generation iPad shines for its versatility, as well as a much more attractive and colorful new look that should delight many users. The device is also gaining power with, upon arrival, a likely very long lifespan (count at least 6 years of updates). Compared to the number of years you’ll be able to keep it, its price is immediately less painful. Because the rise in price is undoubtedly its biggest black point, with the risky management of the stylus reloading at least. When in doubt, and for many users, the 9th-gen iPad is still an excellent compromise.
Source: BFM TV
