The new Apple iPad has been unveiled and there are plenty of changes, many of them surprising. There’s a new design, new colors, new Touch ID, bigger display, faster processor, USB-C connector and a new Magic Keyboard Folio. But there’s a catch: a significant price increase.
The Apple iPad 10th generation will go on sale on Wednesday, October 26, with pre-orders starting today. The price is noticeably higher than the 9th generation which started at $329 (and remains in the line-up at the same price).
The new model costs $449 for the 64GB wifi model, $599 if you want cellular connectivity, too. There’s also a 256GB storage model: $599 for wifi only, $749 with cellular connectivity.
The design is completely different from any previous iPad and comes into line with the rest of the range, the Pro, Air and mini.
This new model looks very similar to the iPad Air, and comes in a range of four colors: silver, blue, pink and yellow (which looks particularly good).
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There’s a 10.9-inch display, identical to the one on the pricier iPad Air. This is made possible by the removal of the Touch ID button from the front of the tablet. It’s moved to the power button, a place it also occupies on the iPad mini and iPad Air. Another similarity to the Air: you may be spotting a theme here.
There’s a USB-C connector here (like the iPad Air!) and this means that the only iPad with a Lightning connector is the 9th generation model. All others now use USB-C.
This adds a small complication: the new iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is charged and paired using a Lightning connector. So, when you buy a new Pencil, it comes with a USB-C to Lightning adaptor in the box. Already have a Pencil? You’ll need to buy the adaptor ($9) to be able to connect it.
The processor has been upgraded to the A14 Bionic, which is not the same as the iPad Air, which favors the M1 chip. This is the most significant difference between the two, I’d say.
And there’s a new Magic Keyboard Folio which is exclusive to this new iPad and hinges differently to the other Magic Keyboards.
At first glance, it’s hard to see why anyone would want to spend the extra money on an iPad Air when this new model is so potent and costs $150 less.
More news as we have it.
