Facelift for Apple’s iPad and iPad Pro tablets. The 10th generation of the base model gets a brand new design and fresh colors – but also makes strange compromises.
Apple has introduced two new iPad models. In the test, the iPad Pro 2022 turns out to be a rather meager update that at least has a lot of power. With the 10th generation iPad, however, Apple is cleaning up its portfolio.
The iPad 10th generation in the test
The 10th generation of iPad says goodbye to some familiar things. Goodbye thick screen borders, goodbye home button and goodbye Lightning connector. And last but not least: goodbye jack for the headphones. But no goodbye without hello! New are: bright colors and, thanks to USB-C, easy connection of external hard drives and screens. And bright TouchID sensor in the power button on the device edge.
All the waivers have a clear effect: Although the latest iPad is around two centimeters shorter than the previous model, the screen has become larger. It now has a screen size of 10.9 inches (27.69 cm) instead of the previous 10.2 inches (25.91 cm). Smaller housing, larger screen: This concept is convincing.
The new iPad 10 contains Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which we know from the iPad Air (2020) and the various iPhone 12 models. So this system is not exactly new, but still very fast.
The iPad will be suitable for video conferences
While many will hardly notice the chip upgrade, the new location of the camera at the front of the display side catches the eye immediately. In contrast to the iPad Pro and iPad mini, it is no longer on the short side, but has moved to the middle of the long side. In video calls with FaceTime, Zoom, Teams and other apps, you can virtually look the other person in the eye.
The new iPad keyboard (Magic Keyboard Folio) is also convincing. With it you can set up the iPad like a laptop. It has 14 function keys that can be used to adjust volume and screen brightness, for example. This is all very solid and adds enormous value to the iPad. The only criticism of the useful accessories is the price. Apple charges just under 300 euros for this.
Wrinkles on the forehead also create Apple’s decision that the base iPad model can only be compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil. The first Apple digital pen features a Lightning connector for pairing and charging. However, Apple has just done away with the matching socket on the iPad 10.
Conclusion: A lot of performance, no entry-level price
With its performance features, the iPad 10th generation is right on the heels of the higher-class iPad Air. It shines with functions that not even the iPad Pro offers in some cases. However, with prices between 579 and 979 euros, it has lost the status of an entry-level tablet. This role is taken over by the previous model, the 9th generation iPad, which Apple continues to offer from 429 euros.
iPad Pro 2022 in the test: even more power
While Apple has changed a lot with the normal iPad, many things remain the same with the new iPad Pro. Both Pro models (12.9-inch 11-inch) at least have a new main processor, the M2 chip. The iPad Pro was already a performance monster with the M1 processor. With the M2 it has now become even more powerful. There is no Android tablet that can even remotely keep up here.
In the professional version of the M2 processor, the graphics unit accesses ten graphics cores, not just eight as in the MacBook Air. The actual computing work is done by eight CPU cores, four each for everyday and particularly computationally intensive tasks. This makes the iPad Pro the ideal machine for media professionals who, for example, edit videos in 4K resolution with apps such as Luma Fusion or DaVinci Resolve.
Super fast WiFi 6E
The iPad Pro can now transmit with the new WiFi 6E standard. In order to be able to benefit from the higher bandwidth, you also have to use a router on the other side that already supports WiFi 6E.
The iPad Pro faction will look enviously at the smaller iPad 10th generation on two issues. On the one hand, the professionals would also like to have the video conference camera in the middle of the longer side – but it still remains on the short side. The “want to have” reflex will also set in with the external keyboard. Although the “Magic Keyboard” costs even more, you won’t find the new function keys on the folio model for the 10th generation iPad.
Everything fits with the Apple Pencil. The Pro models work with the second generation of the pen, which can be loaded on the long side of the iPad.
Conclusion: laptop performance at laptop prices
The test shows: With the iPad Pro 2022, Apple has combined a lot of proven technology with a new core and will be the undisputed number 1 in all performance rankings with this tablet. Buyers have to dig deep into their pockets for this. Prices for the smaller 11-inch model start at 1049 euros.