In the middle of October, Apple introduced the iPad (10th generation) and new iPad Pro models powered by the M2 chip.
The iPad’s design has been updated, the processor has been upgraded, and the front-facing camera has been moved to where it makes the most sense. But that comes at a price, making it significantly more expensive than the iPad it replaces (9th generation).
Which iPad should you get, given that the iPad (9th generation) will continue to serve as the entry-level model and the iPad (10th generation) will slot in between the iPad (9th gen) and the iPad Air (2022)?
In a different piece, we looked at how the iPad (10th generation) stacked up against the iPad Air (2022), but here we’ll see how it fared against the pricier but older iPad (9th generation).
To begin, let’s discuss cost. The iPad (10th generation) may be had for a minimum of $449 USD or £499 GBP. The price tag is for the Wi-Fi-only 64GB variant.
Comparatively, the cheapest iPad (9th generation) can be purchased for $329 in the United States and £369 in the United Kingdom. That is, once again, for the 64GB version that is Wi-Fi only. Therefore, it’s a lot less expensive than an iPad (10th generation).
Contents
Design
Even while the Apple iPad (10th gen) takes design cues from the iPad Air, it still has a very different appearance compared to the iPad Air (9th generation).
The bezels around the screen of the tenth-generation iPad are uniform in size and thickness. The Touch ID home button has been relocated from below the screen to the top edge, next to the power button.
The iPad (10th generation) has a single camera lens on the back, although it’s significantly bigger than the iPad’s display (9th generation). The iPad (9th generation) has rounded corners and a tiny camera lens in the upper left corner of its back. The Touch ID home button is now at the bottom of the screen, and the device’s bezels are noticeably wider. In both cases, though, the Smart Connector may be found on the left side of the device.
The iPad (10th generation) is more vibrant, with four colour options including Yellow, Blue, Pink, and Silver, while the iPad (9th generation) is limited to just Space Grey and Silver.
Even though it’s a little broader, the iPad (10th generation) is thinner, shorter, and lighter than the iPad (9th generation).
Display
The pixel density of the new Apple iPad (10th generation) is 264ppi, thanks to its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 by 1640. It’s a beautiful screen to look at, and while it can’t compare to the iPad Air (2022), it provides a fantastic viewing experience overall thanks to its vivid colours and wide viewing angles.
The 9.7-inch Retina display on the iPad Pro is lower-resolution than the 10.2-inch display on the iPad 9.7. The resulting pixel density is 264ppi, and the quality of the display is similarly high. Despite this, you may have noticed that the display of the 10th generation model is 0.7 inches larger than that of the 9th generation model, despite the fact that the two devices have nearly identical footprints.
Both the iPad 10th and iPad 9th generations have True Tone technology, a maximum brightness of 500 nits, and an oleophobic coating that prevents fingerprints. Both lack the iPad Air’s fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating, which are noticeable improvements.
Hardware and Specs
The A14 Bionic chip found in the Apple iPad (10th gen.), as opposed to the A13 Bionic chip found in the iPad (9th gen.), results in a significant performance boost. The iPad (10th generation) will be slightly faster than the iPad (9th generation), while the difference won’t be as pronounced as with the M1 chip in the iPad Air or the M2 chip in the most recent iPad Pros.
However, the iPad 9 and iPad 10 both come with up to 10 hours of battery life, have storage options of 64GB or 256GB, and can be used for online surfing or video playback.
Though the iPad (9th generation) uses Lightning for charging, the iPad (10th generation) uses USB-C. Both are compatible with the original Apple Pencil, although the first-generation Apple Pencil requires a special adapter to be used with the Lightning port on the iPad (10th generation).
The rear camera of the iPad (10th generation) has been upgraded from the 8-megapixel sensor on the previous-generation tablet to a 12-megapixel sensor that can record 4K video.
The front-facing camera is also a bit different. The 10th generation model shifts the front camera to a landscape position on the right side, while the 9th generation model keeps it at the top of the display like the rest of the line, and both include a 12-megapixel sensor with f/2.4 aperture and the company’s Centre Stage function.
Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) are new to the iPad 10, whereas Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) are available on the iPad 9. The iPad (10th generation) Wi-Fi & Cellular variant is 5G compatible, while the iPad (9th generation) is 4G.
Software
Both the Apple iPad (10th generation) and the iPad (9th generation) are compatible with iPadOS 16, thus users of any device may expect a nearly identical experience.
They’re both fantastic tablets, but neither has Stage Manager. However, iPadOS 16 has many other great features. You can learn about all the new features in iPadOS 16 by reading our dedicated feature, or you can check out our tricks and tips section to learn everything the iPad is capable of.
While there are certainly noticeable differences in performance and aesthetics between these two models, in the end, the user experience will be essentially the same regardless of which one you choose.
The design of the Apple iPad (10th generation) is the most noticeable change from the iPad (9th generation). The iPad’s tenth iteration, following the iPad Air’s design, features a bigger display while maintaining a form factor very similar to that of the iPad’s ninth generation. TheActiveNews.Com is the place to go for the latest news.