New design, new features: Apple overhauls iPad and massively raises prices

Goodbye to the old iPad: Apple has introduced the new version of the iPad and an improved version of the iPad Pro. The star of the announcement is the new iPad (10th generation). For the first time, Apple has also thoroughly overhauled the design of its entry-level model.

The first thing you notice is that the home button is missing in the new model. However, those hoping for a camera with real depth and Face ID, such as those in the iPad Air and iPad Pro, will be disappointed. The fingerprint sensor has only been moved to the power button on the side of the case. In return, the display is now slightly larger (10.9 inches) and the display frame narrower.

The new tenth-generation iPad is not compatible with the keyboards for the small iPad Pro or the iPad Air, so you need a new keyboard: the Magic Keyboard Folio for CHF 269.

Also new is that the aluminum housing has now also been translated into the new, angular design language of the other iPads. In addition to silver, the device with aluminum housing is now also available in the colors pink, blue and yellow, instead of just silver or space gray as before.

The 12 MP front camera is now for the first time on the long side of the device. With video calling in landscape format, for the first time with this iPad, it doesn’t seem like you’re looking past the person you’re talking to – a welcome change that hopefully will follow on the other devices. A 12 MP camera has now been moved to the rear for the first time, finally replacing the older 8 MP model of the predecessor.

When it comes to data connections, Apple is bringing its cheapest tablet to the present: WLAN 6 and 5G promise fast data connections, and the aging Lightning connector has also given way to a modern USB-C connector. However, this innovation makes for a strange crutch elsewhere: because this model is also not compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil – instead, the first-generation Apple Pencil from 2015 must still be used.

The problem: This old pen doesn’t charge inductively on the iPad side, like the current model for iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Pro. It still needs to be connected to a device with a Lightning connector – and for that you need a USB-C to Lightning adapter with the new iPad, which is not an elegant solution.

Of course there is also a faster chip in the device: the A14 that is now in use would offer about 20 percent more performance than the A13 from the previous model. All in all, a significant improvement over the predecessor – which is also noticeable in the price: The new tablet of the tenth generation costs 500 francs. That is about 200 francs more than its predecessor. Until now, the entry-level iPad of the ninth generation was available from 300 francs. It is still available, but the price has been increased to 380 francs, presumably because of the strong dollar exchange rate.

New iPad Pro with M2 chip and price increase

The changes Apple has made to the iPad Pro are not visible from the outside. The most expensive and most powerful variant of the Apple tablet retains the same housing, but is considerably accelerated in certain applications by the M2 chip.

In addition, the new iPad Pro supports the currently fastest WLAN mode Wifi 6E.

Another real innovation is the Apple Pencil hover mode. As a result, the pencil is already recognized at a distance of 12 millimeters from the display – so that an example can already be shown where exactly the tip of the pen will paint on the display. In addition, it improves the scribble function by expanding the text fields as the pen approaches. Only a test will show how practical this really is in everyday life.

Here too, interested parties should make friends with a price increase: The cheapest 11-inch iPad Pro with 128 GB storage now starts at 929 francs and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 128 GB storage now costs 1249 francs. The prices are for the WLAN-only models without mobile connection and without accessories. Of the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) costs extra 139 francsthe Magic keyboard 369 francs.

A big and subtle step for the iPad family

The new iPad is the long-awaited update to the affordable tablet. The innovations seem reasonable – only the adapter solution with the Apple Pencil is a shame and looks a bit atypical for Apple. It’s also gratifying that Apple is keeping the previous device available – also because the cheapest tablet is widely used in education. The higher price is of course regrettable for buyers – but the equivalent value is still completely suitable for both devices.

The iPad Pro is just a technical upgrade: the M2 chip offers more performance, especially for certain audiences – owners of the M1 model should see no reason to upgrade to the new device. A test will have to show whether the hover mode can be an argument here.