Apple’s iPad range is extensive, and I think it’s probably fair to say it’s a little confusing too. I’ve been covering technology and Apple products for over a decade so I could tell you every small and minute detail about how Apple’s tablet range has evolved since it first launched in 2010, but there’s a good chance you might have better things to do than read that.
What I’ll do instead is tell you why the entrylevel iPad – the iPad (10th generation) – is more than enough of a tablet for the majority of us, especially those new to tablets. Now don’t get me wrong, the iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro are all fantastic and they all have their own attributes and reasons to buy them.
The iPad mini is incredibly cute and the perfect tablet for browsing with a lovely weight distribution that makes it nicer to use than a phone. The iPad Air will give you a little more power than the iPad (10th generation), a better screen and more storage, making it a great tablet for dabbling in the odd bit of work as well as casual use. The iPad Pro is an absolute powerhouse of a tablet, capable of handling as much – and in some cases more – than a MacBook or laptop, while also delivering a glorious display.
Apple iPad 10th generation (2022)
Cons
Key specifications
| Screen size | 10.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 pixels |
| Software | iPadOS |
| Processor | A14 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB, 256GB |
| Cameras | 12MP ultrawide (frontfacing), 12MP wide (rearfacing) |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| Colours | Yellow, Blue, Pink, Silver |
But the iPad (10th generation) more than warrants its place in the iPad lineup. While it might not be as powerful as the iPad Air – especially not now that model has been updated – it still offers fantastic performance.
That applies whether you’re online shopping, catching up on some emails or playing a level of your favourite game. It will handle it all with ease, making for a smooth and slick experience that’s perfect for family use or multiple users with various demands.
The design is virtually identical to the iPad Air, with a slim and lightweight build, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor within the power button that allows for symmetrical bezels around the display, and a landscapepositioned front camera. This iPad is ever so slightly larger and heavier than the iPad Air, but the colour options of the 10th generation iPad are brighter, more fun and more vibrant, offering a little more personality.
Its 10.9inch size makes it ideal for travelling (it fits comfortably on a plane tray table, even Ryanair’s), using on the sofa or popping in a bag to bring to the office if you want to catch up on your favourite Netflix show on your commute. The display is also lovely with plenty of punch and vibrancy.
I will say the screen is not as impressive as the iPad Pro’s OLED screen or the iPad Air’s. That’s mainly down to the iPad (10th generation) not offering an antireflective coating. It means you get a few more reflections appearing when using the entrylevel iPad near a window or outside compared to the Air. That said, unless you were using the two tablets sidebyside, you probably wouldn’t notice so it’s certainly not a deal breaker.
The biggest consideration with this beginnerlevel iPad is in fact nothing to do with its design, display or performance because it delivers in abundance on all of those elements. Instead, it’s storage that you need to be a little mindful about.
The base storage for the iPad (10th generation) is 64GB, which is low. If you have an iPhone and you sync all your photos and apps across, there’s a good chance you will run out of space pretty quickly so consider turning the iCloud synchronisation of photos off for your iPad.
I also wish iPadOS offered user profiles like macOS (the software that runs Apple’s MacBook laptops) so when I handed an iPad to my daughter, she could be signed in on her own profile rather than being able to access all my apps, emails and notes.
You never know what a sixyearold will type as an email reply to your boss when trying to access Google Classroom! That applies to all iPads however, not just this entrylevel model and iPadOS is generally great, with good multitasking and ease of use.
They are also minor grievances in what is otherwise a fantastic everyday tablet. Like any iPad, this is easy to set up and use, there’s a brilliant design that matches the more expensive iPad models and you get a nice big display that is great for browsing, emailing or watching films, shows and videos on Disney+, Apple TV+ and YouTube.
It’s not the most powerful iPad available, nor the slimmest or lightest. But, for everyday use, the iPad (10th generation) is more than capable, offers a range of accessories that expand its capabilities and it’s significantly cheaper than other iPad models while offering a virtually identical software experience.
Unless you really need extra power and storage (for example, if you’re planning on video or image editing on the move, or working a lot), the 10thgeneration iPad is a great tablet and likely to be able to handle everything you need.
Britta O’Boyle has been a technology journalist since 2003. She’s covered everything from phones, tablets and fitness devices, to smart home, and beauty tech. You’ll find her name on reviews, explainers, roundups and expert tips, covering Apple, Google, Samsung, Sonos, Dyson and many more.
She’s always tried to take a more simplified approach to products, focusing on what she thinks actually matters in use, rather than getting caught up in the jargon. She was one of the first journalists in the world to try Apple’s Vision Pro headset, she’s gone behind the scenes at Peloton and she can give you more than 40 fun facts about Mac.
Britta has a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London and prior to a 10year stint as deputy editor of Pocketlint from 2013 to 2023, she wrote about interiors for 3 years, covering the rise in technology in the home.
As a freelance journalist, she cofounded The Disconnekt and she’s EditoratLarge for The Ambient. You’ll also find her byline on several prestigious titles including The Telegraph, British GQ, The Express, The Mirror, TechRadar, T3, Stuff, TechAdvisor, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Wareable and iMore.
She’s also been a guest on several radio stations, including BBC Radio, Siren FM and Academy FM, discussing features to implement on devices to keep children safer online. You’ll never find her without her Apple Watch on (usually alongside another fitness tracker she’s testing), aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate. When she’s not recording the dog walk as an Outdoor Walk, she’s trying to keep up with her two young children.
