You’re looking at the Apple 10th Gen iPad and honestly, you're probably a little confused. I don't blame you. Apple’s lineup is a mess right now. Between the Air, the Pro, and the lingering 9th gen that just won't die, this specific tablet sits in a very strange spot. It’s the "middle child" of the family.
It’s colorful. It’s flat. It finally ditched the lightning port. But it also does some things that make you want to scratch your head and wonder what the engineers in Cupertino were drinking that day. For example, why on earth is the first-generation Apple Pencil support still a thing here? It’s bizarre. Yet, after using it for months as a primary "couch device" and a light work machine, I’ve realized it’s actually the most practical tablet for about 90% of people.
Let's get into the weeds of why this thing exists and whether you should actually drop your hard-earned cash on it.
The Design Shift No One Saw Coming (And One They Did)
For years, the base model iPad looked like a relic from 2014. You had those massive "forehead and chin" bezels and a physical home button that clicked like a ballpoint pen. The Apple 10th Gen iPad changed all that. It finally adopted the "all-screen" design language of the iPad Pro and Air.
It feels premium. The aluminum edges are sharp and industrial. When you hold it, you don't feel like you bought the "cheap" version. You get these vibrant colors—Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver—that actually pop. Most people I know go for the Blue. It’s deep and looks great under office lights.
But here is the kicker. They moved the camera. Finally.
Instead of the camera being on the short side (the "portrait" orientation), it’s now on the long edge. This is a game-changer for Zoom calls or FaceTime. If you’ve ever used an older iPad for a video call, you know the "sidebar" look where it seems like you're staring off into space. On the Apple 10th Gen iPad, you actually look like a normal human being looking at a screen. It’s a small change that makes a massive difference in daily usability.
Performance: The A14 Bionic Isn't a Slouch
People get obsessed with the M2 and M4 chips. Look, unless you are editing 4K ProRes video or rendering 3D models in Octane, you do not need an M-series chip in a tablet. You just don't.
✨ Don't miss: The iPhone 14 with TikTok: Why Creators Still Choose This Specific Setup
The A14 Bionic inside this iPad is the same silicon that powered the iPhone 12. It’s snappy. Apps open instantly. Swiping through iPadOS feels fluid. I’ve had 15 tabs open in Safari while streaming Spotify and messaging on Slack, and it didn't even stutter.
- Gaming: It handles Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at medium-to-high settings without turning into a space heater.
- Multitasking: Split View works fine. It’s not "Stage Manager" levels of complex, but for most people, having two apps side-by-side is plenty.
- Battery Life: You're getting the standard 10 hours. In real-world terms, that’s about three days of casual evening browsing before you need to hunt for a USB-C cable.
Speaking of USB-C, it’s finally here. No more Lightning. This means you can use the same charger for your MacBook, your iPad, and (now) your iPhone. One cable to rule them all. Sorta.
The Pencil Problem: A Legit Head-Scratcher
Okay, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. The Apple Pencil situation is... clunky.
The Apple 10th Gen iPad supports the 1st Gen Apple Pencil. That’s the one with the Lightning connector under the cap. But the iPad has a USB-C port. To charge the pencil, you need a dongle. Yes, a $9 plastic adapter just to charge your stylus. It’s the least "Apple-like" thing I’ve ever seen.
Later, Apple released the Apple Pencil (USB-C), which works more naturally with this device, but it lacks pressure sensitivity. If you're a serious artist, that’s a dealbreaker. If you're just taking notes in a college lecture? You probably won't care. But it's these little friction points that define the 10th-gen experience. It’s a fantastic device held back by weird legacy decisions.
Screen Quality and the "Laminated" Debate
If you read tech forums, you'll hear people complaining about the "non-laminated" display.
What does that mean? On the iPad Air and Pro, the glass and the LCD are fused together. On the Apple 10th Gen iPad, there is a tiny air gap between the glass you touch and the pixels that display the image.
Does it matter?
If you’re a professional illustrator, yes. It feels like you’re drawing on the glass rather than on the pixels. It also makes a hollow "thud" sound when you tap it with your fingernail.
For watching Netflix, scrolling TikTok, or writing an email? You won't notice. The Liquid Retina display is bright (500 nits) and the colors are accurate enough for 99% of tasks. Don't let the spec-sheet nerds scare you away from a perfectly good screen.
Accessories That Actually Make Sense
If you want to turn this into a "laptop replacement," you're looking at the Magic Keyboard Folio. It’s different from the Pro version. It has a function row! (Something the more expensive iPad Pro Magic Keyboard lacked for years).
The keyboard is surprisingly good. The keys have decent travel. The trackpad is small but responsive. But it’s also expensive. If you’re buying the iPad for $349 or $449 and then spending $250 on a keyboard, you’re suddenly in MacBook Air territory.
💡 You might also like: Finding the YouTube Kids IPA File: What Most People Get Wrong
My advice? Buy a cheap Bluetooth keyboard from Logitech and a simple magnetic cover. You'll save $200 and get 90% of the same utility. This iPad is at its best when it stays "budget."
Who Should Actually Buy the Apple 10th Gen iPad?
It’s easy to get lost in the "is it better than the Air?" debate. It’s not. The Air is better. But the Air is also more expensive.
This iPad is for the student who needs to write essays and watch YouTube. It’s for the parent who wants a reliable device for the kids that won't feel obsolete in two years. It’s for the person who wants a digital notebook but doesn't want to spend $1,000 on a "Pro" setup.
It occupies the space of "good enough for almost everyone."
Real-world evidence: I gave one to my dad, who previously used a 6th gen iPad. His biggest takeaway? "The speakers are way better." He’s right. The landscape stereo speakers are actually loud and clear. For a guy who just wants to watch golf highlights and check weather maps, it’s the perfect machine.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re leaning toward pulling the trigger on an Apple 10th Gen iPad, here is exactly how to do it without getting ripped off or frustrated:
- Check the Price: Do not pay the full $449 MSRP if you can help it. This device is frequently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $349 or even $299. At $299, it is an absolute steal.
- Storage Matters: The base model has 64GB. That is fine if you stream everything. If you plan on downloading movies for long flights or installing huge games like Genshin Impact, you will hit that limit fast. Consider the 256GB model if you’re a digital hoarder.
- The Pencil Choice: If you want a stylus for note-taking, skip the 1st Gen Pencil and the dongle nightmare. Get the Apple Pencil (USB-C). It’s cheaper, magnetically attaches to the side for storage (it doesn't charge there, but it stays put), and it’s much less of a headache.
- The Case: Skip the Apple Brand Smart Folio unless you love spending $79 on a piece of polyurethane. Third-party cases on Amazon for $15 do the exact same thing and often provide better drop protection.
- Identify Your "Why": If you plan to do heavy video editing, go for the Air. If you just want a tablet that works, stays fast for five years, and has a great webcam for calls, this is the one.
The Apple 10th Gen iPad isn't a perfect device, but it’s a very honest one. It gives you the modern look and the USB-C future without the "Pro" price tag. Just mind the dongles and watch for the sales.