Apple's classic iPad finally gets a redesign. Here are the 5 biggest upgrades worth talking about.
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Apple
- On Tuesday, Apple unveiled the newest version of the classic iPad.
- The new iPad (10th generation) features a 10.9-inch screen, cameras that can film in 4K, and a USB-C port for faster charging.
- You can order the iPad (10th generation) today from Apple's website, where it starts at $449.
It's been more than a decade since Apple revealed the very first iPad. And on Tuesday, they finally announced the 10th generation of their wildly popular tablet series.
The new iPad (10th generation) is available right now on Apple's website with a variety of colors and storage sizes. And although this new iPad doesn't include any brand new features, it does come with a host of upgrades that make it the most powerful iPad yet.
A new internal chip means faster downloads and load times
The iPad (10th generation) runs on an internal chip called the A14 Bionic. This isn't the newest Bionic chip around — the latest iPhones run on A16 Bionic, for instance — but it's still the best chip we've seen in a standard iPad.
The Bionic chip controls everything your iPad does, from downloading apps to playing music to displaying images. And Apple claims that the A14 can perform at least 20% faster than the previous iPad's chip.
This means that apps will load quicker, pictures and games will look better, and the battery can last longer.
Apple
Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support comes to iPad
Apps aren't the only things that can load faster on the new iPad. Updated wireless adapters mean that the iPad now supports both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G connections, meaning you'll always have access to the fastest internet speeds.
Just remember that 5G wireless is only available on the Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models, which are about $150 more expensive than the standard Wi-Fi models.
A USB-C port for new accessories and faster charging
It's taken a few years, but the standard iPad has finally joined the iPad Air and iPad Pro, replacing the old Lightning charge port with a modern USB-C port.
USB-C is the leading standard for charging ports, and makes the iPad much easier to integrate with your other gadgets. Gone are the days when you'd need a separate charging cable just for your iPad — now you can use the same cable that you use for your laptop, Nintendo Switch, Android phone, and hundreds of other devices.
The USB-C port also means that your iPad can now support wired keyboards, external displays, and more, all without an adapter dongle. It also lets you charge the iPad faster, which is always a plus.
The biggest iPad screen yet
Coming in at 10.9 inches, the iPad (10th generation) has the largest screen Apple has ever put on a standard iPad. It's the first time in three generations that Apple has upgraded the screen size — the 7th, 8th, and 9th generations each came in at 10.2 inches.
This is also the first standard iPad to have a Liquid Retina display instead of a regular Retina display. This means higher resolutions, and it'll be nearly impossible to see the divide between the pixels on your screen.
Apple
Despite the larger screen size, the iPad (10th generation) actually weighs slightly less than the 9th generation model.
Upgraded cameras that can film in 4K quality
The iPhone might be the device best known for its cameras, but that doesn't mean the iPad has to miss out on the fun. The iPad (10th generation)'s cameras are getting a big upgrade, largely made possible by the new A14 Bionic chip.
The new iPad's main camera now has 12 megapixels (MP), compared to the 8MP on the 9th generation. It can also record in both 1080p and 4K quality at up to 60 FPS — the absolute best you can get on a camera for this price.
Additionally, the new iPad's front camera is now located on the side of the screen, instead of on top. This might seem strange, but it actually makes video calls and filming videos much, much easier.
How much does the new iPad cost?
Like always, the exact cost of the new iPad depends on what model you buy, and how much storage space you want.
Apple offers two versions of the iPad (10th generation): Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi + Cellular. You can buy either model with 64 gigabytes (GB) or 256GB of space.
Here's a breakdown of how much each version costs, not including any taxes or shipping fees.
| 64GB | 256GB | |
| Wi-Fi | $449 | $599 |
| Wi-Fi + Cellular | $599 | $749 |