A new iPad is here! After much speculation as to when – and even if – Apple was going to launch a new iPad this year, press releases have confirmed that the 10th generation iPad (2022) is coming later in October.
The iPad is Apple's entry-level tablet that sits below more premium options like the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. We're now on Apple's 10th generation of iPad, following the 9th-generation model that we gave five stars to in our official iPad (2021) review.
We haven't gotten our hands on an iPad (2022) just yet, so you'll have to stay tuned for our full review of this latest model, but Apple has not been shy about revealing tons of information about what's coming with the all-new iPad (2022)...
- Apple has revealed the iPad 10th generation
- There is also a new iPad Pro (2022): release date, price, features and specs
iPad (2022) release date
The iPad (2022) is available to pre-order now and can be in owners' hands from 26th October. It comes just over a year after the previous, 2021 iPad, which launched on 24th September.
This kind of announcement and release cadence is pretty standard for iPad and Apple products at large, so there are no big surprises here really.
iPad (2022) price
The iPad (2022) starts at £499 / $449 / AU$749, which is considerably higher in all territories than the launch price of the iPad (2021) – £319 / $329 / AU$499. For an entry-level tablet, this year's iPad is getting a bit less entry-level as it ups the price across the globe.
As with the iPad Pro's price, the UK and Australia are seeing a large price increase, while those in the US are seeing a less substantial but still meaningful increase.
While prices are rising, it is important to note that the iPad (2022) does have a bunch of new features and upgrades over the iPad (2021), and global inflation and the ongoing chip shortage are surely contributing to higher prices too.
iPad (2022) design
Rumours about a major design refresh on the iPad have come true: the iPad (2022) will be sporting a new look.
The biggest changes to the design of the iPad include a screen size bump from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches alongside some slimmer bezels and a variety of new, vibrant colour finishes, including bright blue, pink and yellow.
There's no Home button to be found on the iPad (2022), but you will get Touch ID functionality from its top button. The new iPad's front-facing camera has been moved from the top to the side for a better angle for video, too. Last but by no means least, you are also getting a USB-C charging port.
This isn't a radical redesign exactly, but it's hard to complain about a fresh new look, a larger screen, better camera placement and a more universally friendly USB-C port.
The iPad (2021) could look a bit dated in terms of Apple hardware, with its Home button and thick bezels, while the iPad (2022) feels more in line with what we've come to expect from other Apple devices like iPad Pro.
iPad (2022) display
The big news here is that the new iPad's screen is slightly larger than its predecessor's, going from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches thanks to slimmer bezels and the lack of a Home button. Accordingly, there is a slight increase in resolution too, to maintain the iPad's familiar 264ppi density.
Other than the size bump, not much has changed with the display on the new iPad. You're still getting a True Tone LED-backlit IPS display with 500 nits of max brightness, but that's no bad thing. In our review of the iPad (2021), we praised the tablet's superb picture quality.
Apple is known for making excellent displays, so while the lack of major display changes might raise an eyebrow or two, the display of the iPad (2021) is bound to look great. And really, an upgrade to a mini-LED display like that on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is likely out of the question for an entry-level tablet.
iPad (2022) specs
In terms of hardware, the iPad (2022) introduces a number of key upgrades.
Firstly, you're getting Apple's A14 Bionic chip. The A14 is, on paper, expected to be around 30 per cent faster than the chip inside iPad (2021), though isn't as fast as Apple's M1 or M2 chips found in more expensive iPads and Apple laptops. It's not as beefy as the A15 Bionic chip powering the latest iPhones either.
Then, you're getting 5G support, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 and Apple's AirPlay 2 – nice but largely standard features in the Apple ecosystem in 2022. All told, this means a faster device with better connections and more robust wireless connectivity. Of course, we'll have to get our hands on an iPad (2022) to see how it actually performs.
iPad (2022): early thoughts
This might not sound like a massive update to iPad – and it isn't. But considering Apple's tendency to shuffle around some internal components and sell that as the next generation, there seems to be a lot to appreciate here.
A bigger screen, trim look, more capable hardware, and USB-C port headline the changes brought by the iPad (2022), and considering how much we loved the iPad (2021), these tweaks feel like welcome additions.
If you're in the market for an everyday, reliable tablet, there's little reason not to consider the 'standard' iPad. iPad (2021) owners probably needn't rush out to upgrade, mind you. And if you aren't an iPad fan, this one probably isn't bringing any revolutionary features to the table that will change your mind.
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