Updated in its 2022 version, the iPad retains the strengths of previous models. But Apple’s flagship tablet suffers from a bit of tinkering and, above all, from an excessive price, like that of its accessories.

Updated in its 2022 version, the iPad retains the strengths of previous models. But Apple’s flagship tablet suffers from a bit of tinkering and, above all, from an excessive price, like that of its accessories.

Unlike the smartphone market where the forces present are particularly numerous and the competition rather fierce, whatever the segment, that of the tablet remains quite wise. Despite renewed interest linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and the various periods of confinement, few major players have dared to come and rub shoulders with the indestructible iPad, which remains at the top of the darling devices of tablet lovers. Since the first generation released in 2010, the iPad has had several versions (mini, Air, Pro) and remains to this day the best-selling tablet worldwide. For this year 2022, Apple has therefore decided to keep the “very short” iPad in its catalog, which is the entry level of its large format tablets. Still, the so-called “entry-level” price at the apple brand continues to make people smile, since the iPad 2022 – also called iPad 10 – is still sold at 589 euros in the basic version, i.e. 200 euros more than the previous year’s model. At this price, we expect a lot. We had the opportunity to evaluate this iPad for several days under the classic conditions of use of a tablet: reading streaming video content, surfing the Web, consulting social networks and the online press, but also note taking (with the optional Apple Pencil stylus). For this test, and in this role, it replaced a Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e released in 2019. Here is our verdict.

Apple iPad 10: a revisited but still imposing design

iPad regulars, perhaps equipped with an iPad 9 or earlier, will immediately see the difference. The large borders that surrounded the screen until then have disappeared. Always present – ​​they are mandatory on a tablet held with both hands – they are however more discreet. The Touch ID button is moved from the bottom of the screen to the top edge of the device. These slices, precisely, adopt the flat shape that we also know on the iPhone. In other words, the design of the classic iPad finally harmonizes with the rest of the brand’s product line.

In hands, this iPad is quite comfortable. However, it seemed very heavy and very thick to us at 477 g and 7 mm thick compared to our faithful Galaxy Tab S5e (400 g for 5.5 mm thick). This difference in size is felt in particular in the grip of the device but also, on the length since the fatigue of the hands and wrists is felt more quickly. So we quickly put it on our knees to use it.

Another big change compared to previous versions of the iPad: the adoption of a USB-C port instead of the Lightning port. It will therefore be easier to get your hands on a charging cable but also to connect the device to an external monitor or even to connect an external hard drive to it without rummaging to find an adapter. However, this upheaval is not without bewildering contortions, especially for the Apple Pencil as we will see later.

Apple iPad 10: the tablet still relies on the LCD

With this new generation, we would have expected to see an Oled screen (especially at this price). It is not so. Apple persists and signs and continues to exploit LCD technology, which probably explains the thickness of its chassis. Nevertheless, even so equipped, this iPad offers a display of very good quality. It is quite bright in all situations. The 10.9 inches of this panel offer a definition of 1640 x 2360 pixels, comfortable but nothing more. A higher definition would have offered more finesse in the display of content, with better resolution (density of pixels). Never mind. Finally, an Oled panel would have brought the infinite contrasts to which current smartphones have accustomed us. But when we consider the occasional use of the tablet, the LCD still does the job very well.

Apple iPad 10: decent performance, nothing more

Technical sheet

The iPhone 14 Pro has the in-house A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 14, the A15 Bionic chip… the iPad 10 is content with the A14 Bionic chip. This SoC, which is blowing out its second candle and which also equips the iPad Air of 2020, is however enough to animate this device without flinching. We never encountered the slightest slowdown in our daily use. The iPad has always been responsive even with about twenty apps open in the background. It is only with certain games that are a bit greedy where you have to lower your ambitions as to the level of detail displayed to maintain good fluidity. Nevertheless, in this field, our Galaxy Tab S5e is no longer in the race and shows all its weaknesses with great reinforcements of well-felt slowdowns.

Apple iPad 10: iPadOS restrained and sometimes despised

For all its devices, Apple masters both hardware and software. This allows him to make the most of it and control all the updates with finesse. This iPad 10 thus runs with iPadOS 16.1.1 but beware: you do not benefit from all the latest innovations in the brand’s operating system. Among the absentees is the Stage Manager function to manage multitasking more comfortably. If you absolutely want to take advantage of it, you will have to turn to a higher-end iPad. Shame. However, you are guaranteed to keep a tablet updated regularly and for several years, which is not often the case with Android tablets.

Another big disappointment: the absence of flagship applications in an optimized version. This is not the fault of Apple but that of the developers. If you plan to buy your first iPad now, be aware that apps like Instagram or Facebook do not have versions optimized for the iPad and its large screen. This is the version designed for the iPhone displayed in expanded (or zoomed in the case of Instagram) form. A real aberration in 2022 thanks to which the graphics such as the buttons and the dressing of the pages but also the texts and, worse, the images, are displayed in a rather coarse way. A real disappointment that we owe to Meta’s lack of will to develop apps specially designed for the Apple tablet, whereas versions for Android tablets have been available for a long time. Of course, the whole of the vast catalog of the App Store is not affected by this phenomenon. But if you plan to use the iPad primarily to surf these social networks, better be warned.

Apple iPad 10: accessories charged at high prices

Just like a smartphone, a tablet, it protects itself. Especially at this price. And there, Apple is still waiting for you at the turn. Want to save the iPad screen and prevent scratches? No problem: Apple offers a protective shell, the Smart Folio, for the low price of 99 euros. Note that for this price, the hull takes advantage of a foot to hold the iPad vertically in landscape mode to watch a movie for example. Do you want to transform your tablet into an extra computer by adding a keyboard to it? The local Apple Store will be happy to provide you with the Magic Keyboard Folio for 299 euros! Comfortable and very pleasant to use with its integrated touchpad, this keyboard is clipped onto the magnetic port of the iPad placed on the left edge of the device. It also relies on a back shell that keeps the tablet like a laptop screen.

Thus decked out, the weight of the iPad exceeds one kilogram. Finally, the icing on the cake: the Apple Pencil. This stylus, which allows you to take notes or draw on the screen of the device, will cost you 119 euros. And, beware, this is the first version of the stylus! Apple Pencil 2, thinner, lighter and offering a better grip, is simply not compatible. This Apple Pencil 1 therefore also has a Lightning port for recharging… when the iPad now has a USB-C port. It is therefore important not to lose the small USB-C / Lightning adapter supplied with the stylus (or spend ten euros from Apple to get one if you ever already had a stylus). A tinkering to which Apple, which constantly boasts of the simplicity of its products, has not accustomed us. Finally, be aware that while the stylus is charging (only thanks to the cable and not by induction like the Apple Pencil 2), it is not possible to use it. A height.

Apple iPad 10: continuous autonomy

Like all tablets, the iPad is bound to spend most of its time in sleep mode, left on the living room coffee table waiting to be woken up for temporary use. And we have seen that it does its job well. Charged to 100% and at the rate of an hour and a half of daily use – the rest of the time remaining on standby – it lasted 9 days before requiring a recharge. With more sustained use including streaming video playback, battery life fell to 17 hours. A quite honorable score for this type of material. For recharging, Apple provides a 20 W power supply in the box. A good two hours are needed to refuel to 100%.

Apple iPad 10: should you fall for Apple’s entry-level tablet?

Apple has brought its classic iPad up to date, but at what cost! Its design is more neat and in tune with the times. We also welcome the arrival of the USB port which will facilitate not only its recharging but also the connection of various peripherals. The performance is up to what can be expected from a tablet in 2022 and the machine remains pleasant to handle. But on the price side, it’s really a cold shower for both the device and its accessories. And DIY to use the Apple Pencil is not worthy of this company which has always taken special care in the design of its products. The device has seen its price rise by 200 euros compared to the previous model and even if Apple considers it as its entry-level tablet, the pill is struggling to pass. Especially since at this price, you will have to settle for 64 GB of storage space. To go to 256 GB (there is no intermediate version) you will still have to add 200 euros and an additional 200 euros if you want it to also benefit from a 5G connection (with a SIM or eSIM card) in addition to the Wi-Fi connection. We are thus approaching the prices of a laptop PC and even a new Macbook M1. If you are looking for a comfortable tablet for daily use at a much more affordable price, it is better to turn to the Android world like the Xiaomi Pad 5 and its 11-inch LCD screen from 399 euros or the Honor Pad 8 at 299 euros. The only concession: you won’t be able to track updates like Apple offers for its iPads and other products.