Apple iPad (10th Generation) Review
A bright, fast tablet for streaming, sketching, and getting things done without the Pro price tag.
The 10th-gen iPad is the tablet most people actually need: fast enough for everything that isn't pro-level, bright enough to use on the couch or the patio, and priced so you don't have to flinch.
What the 10th-Generation iPad Actually Is
This is Apple's mainstream, non-Pro iPad — the one with the colorful aluminum back (silver, blue, pink, and yellow), a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and a USB-C port instead of the old Lightning connector. It runs on the A14 Bionic chip, the same silicon that powered the iPhone 12 a few years back, which still chews through everyday tasks without complaint.
It's the redesigned version that moved the front camera to the landscape edge — a small change that makes a real difference on video calls, since you're finally looking roughly at the camera instead of off to the side. Storage starts at 64GB, with a 256GB option if you actually plan to keep apps, games, and offline video around.
How It Performs Day to Day
For the things most people buy a tablet to do — streaming Netflix and YouTube, scrolling the web, FaceTiming family, reading, light gaming, and bouncing between email and notes — it never feels slow. Apps launch instantly, multitasking holds up, and the A14 has enough headroom that this thing won't feel sluggish for years.
The 10.9-inch screen is the unsung hero here. It's sharp, gets bright enough to read outdoors in shade or near a sunny window, and looks great for video. Battery life lands right around Apple's all-day claim — realistically a solid 8 to 10 hours of mixed use, more if you're just reading. Speakers are stereo in landscape, which makes a real difference when you're watching something propped up on a kitchen counter.
Sketching and note-taking work well too, but with an asterisk: this iPad uses the first-generation Apple Pencil, and pairing it requires an awkward USB-C-to-Pencil adapter dongle. It works fine once set up, but it's the kind of fiddly compromise that reminds you you're not holding a Pro.
The Pros and the Real Cons
On the plus side: gorgeous bright display, fast and future-proof chip for its class, USB-C charging, a genuinely better front camera placement, and that fun color lineup. It's the best balance of price and capability in Apple's tablet range.
The downsides are honest ones. The display isn't laminated, so there's a tiny gap between the glass and the panel that you'll notice if you tap with a Pencil — it feels slightly less 'direct' than the Air or Pro. There's no fingerprint reader in the power button on some early units' marketing confusion (it does have Touch ID in the top button), the base 64GB fills up fast, and the first-gen Pencil dongle situation is just clunky. Apple's official Magic Keyboard Folio is also pricey enough that it nudges the total cost toward iPad Air territory.
Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if you want a great everyday tablet for media, browsing, casual creativity, and kids or students who need something durable and capable without paying Pro prices. It's the right pick for most households, typically running in the $330–$430 range depending on storage and sales.
Skip it if you're a serious artist or pro user who needs the laminated, ProMotion display and second-gen Pencil — step up to the iPad Air. And if you only read and watch a little video, the cheaper base iPad or even a refurbished older model may save you money you don't need to spend.
The Verdict
The 10th-generation iPad nails the assignment: it's the tablet that does almost everything well for a price that makes sense. The Pencil dongle and non-laminated screen are the compromises that justify the Air's existence, but for the overwhelming majority of buyers, this is the smart, satisfying choice.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 10th-generation iPad work with the Apple Pencil?
- Yes, but only the first-generation Apple Pencil, and it requires a USB-C-to-Pencil adapter to pair and charge. It works reliably once set up, just less elegantly than the magnetic snap-on Pencil the iPad Air and Pro use.
- Is 64GB enough storage for the 10th-gen iPad?
- It's fine if you mostly stream and browse, but it fills up quickly if you download apps, games, or offline video. If you plan to keep a lot of content on the device, the 256GB version is worth the upgrade.
- Should I buy the 10th-gen iPad or the iPad Air?
- Choose the 10th-gen iPad for everyday media, web, and light creativity at a lower price. Step up to the iPad Air if you want a laminated display, smoother ProMotion-style experience on newer models, the second-gen Pencil, and more power for demanding creative work.
Marcus has spent over a decade testing consumer tech and gadgets. He cares about whether a product earns its price in real life — not on a spec sheet.
