It is expected that the iPad 10 will launch this year with a handful of necessary upgrades, but will it also get a new design and a higher price tag?
Apple will be making a new iPad that succeeds the 9th generation iPad (iPad 9), and it will be bringing some overdue upgrades, according to a new report. Apple’s iPad line includes the iPad, the iPad Mini, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. So far, all the current models of the iPad line, save for the standard iPad, are powered by the Apple M1 chip and have optional 5G support.
The standard iPad is the cheapest in the iPad series, with the current model starting at $329. Its design is still reminiscent of the old iPad, with thick bezels around the display and a home button with Touch ID on the chin. Apple refreshes the iPad each year, so it is expected that the iPad 10/10th gen iPad will be released in the second half of 2022.
When the new iPad launches, it is expected to pack some much-needed upgrades. Chief among the new additions coming to the iPad 10 is a USB-C connector to replace the Lightning port, reports 9to5mac. Other iPad models have switched to USB-C, but the iPad 9 launched in 2021 with Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. The switch to USB-C should make it easier for owners to charge the iPad 10, considering the Type-C connector is now mainstream. Furthermore, the upgraded port should bring faster transfer speeds and compatibility with more peripherals such as USB-C docks. It should also have support for DisplayPort so it can easily be connected to an external display.
5G Is Coming To The IPad 10
As expected, a new iPad should have a new and more powerful chipset, and according to the source, the new processor for the iPad 10 will be the Apple A14 Bionic. This is the same chipset that powers the iPhone 12 series, and just as it brought 5G connectivity to the iPhone, it is expected to do the same for the new iPad. Of course, there will still be a Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet, but those who want the model with cellular connectivity will now be able to connect to faster 5G networks instead of LTE. The new chip will also bring performance improvements, but it remains to be seen if it will get a RAM boost. For context, the iPad 9 has 3GB of RAM.
Another significant upgrade is a bigger and better display. Display expert Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) tweeted that the iPad 10 will have a bigger 10.5-inch screen that replaces the 10.2-inch panel of the 2021 model. The screen is also reported to have a higher resolution, but it won’t be as bright as the display of the iPad Pro. It is also not likely to have a high refresh rate. While it hasn’t been confirmed, the bigger display might see the iPad 10 take on a new design with slim bezels. This way, the device’s overall size may be the same or even smaller than the iPad 9. A design revamp may also see the Touch ID button move to the power button at the top, as is available on the iPad Air.
No details about the camera were provided, but the front camera should have support for Center Stage like the current model. In addition, like previous iterations, it should have support for the Apple Pencil and also have an optional keyboard folio case. As exciting as all of these upgrades sound, it remains to be seen if the iPad will get a price increase when it launches later this year, probably alongside the new iPhones.
