KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 ― The popular iPad has gotten a massive revamp and it joins its other upmarket siblings such as the iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro in adopting the universal USB-C port. Besides getting internal upgrades, the 10th generation iPad also ditches the iconic home button and gets a larger display with symmetrical bezels. Here’s what’s new with the iPad for 2022.
Larger 10.9″ display with thinner bezels
At first glance, the 10th iPad looks virtually identical to the current iPad Air. It gets a 10.9″ Liquid Retina Display that pushes 2360×1640 pixels resolution on an IPS panel with a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Unlike the iPad Air, it lacks a fully illuminated display and anti-reflective coating, but it still supports True Tone like its predecessor.
The new iPad still has Touch ID but it is now integrated into the power button located at the top. Overall it weighs 477 grams for the WiFi version which is lighter than the 9th gen iPad but it is still slightly heavier than the iPad Air which is also slightly thinner.
Apple A14 Bionic Chip and 5G support
The new iPad runs on Apple’s A14 Bionic chip which is a step up from the A13 Bionic on the 9th gen model. For the first time on the entry-level iPad, it supports 5G connectivity (sub-6GHz) as well as the usual 802.11ax WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
It has USB-C but only supports 1st gen Apple Pencil
The new iPad finally adopts USB-C which allows you to connect to external drives, docks and displays. There’s also a smart connector on the edge of the iPad allowing you to magnetically attach a Magic Keyboard Folio. This is different from the iPad Air which has a smart connector located at the lower back of the tablet.
Although the new iPad uses USB-C, it only can support the 1st gen Apple Pencil. This is because the new iPad lacks a magnetic connector which is required to charge the 2nd gen Apple Pencil. Since the 1st gen Apple Pencil charges via a lightning connector port, you will need a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter which is included in the box for the updated version of the 1st gen Apple Pencil. The USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is sold separately for RM55.
Landscape Ultra Wide front camera and stereo speakers
For the first time on the iPad, the front camera is now located at the edge of the iPad which is said to provide a better video calling experience. The Landscape Ultra Wide front camera uses a 12MP sensor and has a 122-degree field of view. It also supports Centre Stage which allows the camera to automatically keep you in the centre as you move around. Meanwhile, the rear camera has been upgraded from 8MP to 12MP and it also supports 4K video recording with 240 fps slow-mo.
For better audio experience, the new iPad also supports landscape stereo speakers similar to the iPad Air. There also dual mics which Apple says will work in unison with the cameras to capture audio from the camera that’s being used while minimising distracting background noise.
Comes in four vibrant colours
If you’re bored with the Silver and Space Grey colour options, the 10th gen iPad now comes in 4 colours ― Silver, Pink, Blue and Yellow.
10th gen iPad is priced from RM2,099 in Malaysia
With a starting price of RM2,099, it is a huge jump from the 9th gen model which was launched with a starting price of RM1,499. Here’s the official pricing in Malaysia:
10.9″ iPad WiFi
• 64GB – RM2,099
• 256GB – RM2,849
10.5″ iPad WiFi + Cellular
• 64GB – RM2,849
• 256GB – RM3,599
The first gen Apple Pencil costs RM479 while the Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad costs RM1,249. In case you’re wondering, Apple still provides a 20W USB-C power adapter and USB-C cable in the box.
At the moment, the new iPad is still listed as coming soon for the Malaysian market. If you still want to buy a brand new iPad on a budget, the 9th gen model is still available but Apple has increased the price which now starts from RM1,599 for the 64GB WiFi. ― SoyaCincau
