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Last week, Apple announced new iPad models with a wide range of features, colors, and prices. And Apple continues to sell other iPad models released within the past year. With so many choices available now, you may have a challenging time deciding which new iPad is best for you.
No worries, The Wonder of Tech is here to help!
iPad 2022
Apple announced last week that its baseline iPad has been upgraded for 2022 with new colors, a new chip, and a 10.9-inch (27.69 cm) Liquid Retina display. This 10th-generation iPad has a processor that’s 20% faster and graphics that are 80% faster than last year’s model.
The Home button has been eliminated from this model. Instead, you can unlock it with Touch ID by pressing the power button on the top edge of the iPad.
Both the front and rear cameras of this iPad have been upgraded to 12 MP for better photos, videos, and selfies. The front-facing camera is now on the longer edge of the screen so your video calls can now be in landscape, instead of portrait mode.
This iPad charges with a USB-C cable and is only compatible with the first-generation Apple pencil. But since the first-generation Apple pencil only charges via a lightning port, Apple is offering a dongle to charge the 1st gen Apple pencil with this iPad. The dongle is priced at $9 (but may cost you a bit of sanity).
The 2022 iPad weighs 1.05 pounds (477 grams).
Availability
Fans of fun colors will appreciate that the 2022 iPad comes in pink, blue, yellow, and silver. The new iPad is available for pre-order now starting at $449, with delivery beginning October 26.
Less Expensive Alternative to the iPad 2022
If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to the iPad, check out the previous model of iPad. The 2021 9th-generation iPad is still for sale, priced at $329. The rear camera is 8 MP, as opposed to 12 MP on the 2022 model. But you may not need to use your iPad camera very often if you have an iPhone handy.
The 2021 iPad has a Home button at the bottom of the screen that has Touch ID. This iPad charges via a lightning cable. This iPad works with the 1st-generation Apple Pencil, but you don’t need a dongle to charge it.
The 9th-generation iPad weighs 1.07 pounds (487 grams).
The iPad 2021 is available in silver or space gray for $329.
Two iPad Pro 2022 Models
As with previous years, the iPad Pro 2022 models are the most powerful and best suited for those who are looking for a laptop replacement and/or a high-powered tablet. This year’s iPad Pro models come with either an 11 in (27.94 cm) or a 12.9 in (32,77 cm) Liquid Retina XDR display.
The smaller iPad Pro isn’t quite as bright or colorful as the larger model. For reference, the iPad Pro 2022 11-inch model displays 600 nits of brightness while the 12.9-inch model displays 1000 nits of brightness.
Both 2022 iPad Pro models have been upgraded with 15 percent faster performance and up to 35 percent faster graphics. The M2 chip used in the iPad Pro 2022 models is the same as in the latest iPad Air computer.
Both sizes of iPad Pro have five studio‑quality microphones and four-speaker audio for recording and listening to sound.
The rear 12 MP cameras on both 2022 iPad Pro models come with dual lenses and a LiDAR scanner.
Apple explains, “The LiDAR Scanner measures how long it takes light to reflect back from objects, so it can create a depth map of any space you’re in and unlock immersive AR experiences.”
The 2nd generation iPad Pencil is compatible with these iPad Pro models and charges magnetically when it attaches to the iPad Pro frame.
A cool new feature of these iPad Pro models is Apple Pencil Hover so you don’t even have to touch the Pencil to the screen. If you hold the Apple Pencil within 12 mm of the screen, the iPad Pro will detect the Pencil and the angle at which you’re holding it. The screen will use electromagnetic sensors to detect the motion and angle, the display what you’re creating.
The iPad Pro 2022 12.9-inch model weighs 1.5 pounds (682 grams) and the 11-inch model weighs 1.03 pounds (466 grams). Storage capacity for these iPad Pro models ranges from 128 GB to a whopping 2 TB, though you’ll have to pay dearly to get the maximum storage capacity.
Availability
Both models of the 2022 iPad Pro are available in silver or space gray and can be pre-ordered now with sales beginning Wednesday, October 26.
The 2022 iPad Pro 11-inch model price begins at $799 while the 12.9-inch model price begins at $1099.
Less Expensive Alternative to the iPad Pro
If you’re looking to spend less money on an iPad, consider getting a 5th-generation iPad Air. It comes with a 10.9-inch (27.69 cm) Liquid Retina display and weighs 1.02 pounds (461 grams). The iPad Air has more power and speed than the basic iPad but not as much as the new iPad Pro models.
The 5th-generation iPad Air was released in March 2022 and starts at $599.
Learn more about the 2022 iPad Air at => Apple Announces New iPhones, iPads, Computers and More!
Deciding Which iPad to Get
Here’s Apple’s video introducing the new iPad models:
https://youtu.be/yUKRkPKg5_U
The price of the iPad may be the most important factor in deciding which one to get. Fortunately, Apple is now selling a range of iPads that are priced from $329 for the most basic model to $2399 for the larger iPad Pro model with Wi-Fi + Cellular and 2 TB of storage.
All of the iPad models offer Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular. You may want to consider how often you’re away from Wi-Fi and whether your funds would be better spent with the latest and greatest iPad or on getting a cellular connection and the monthly fees that follow.
Another important consideration is how you will be using the iPad. Will you use it mostly for consumption — watching videos, checking social media, playing games, and listening to music? Or will you use your iPad to create artwork, videos, spreadsheets, documents, photos, music, and more? If you use your iPad to play games, are your favorite games high-intensity, graphic-rich games, or games like solitaire and Sudoku?
The 2022 iPad models are upgrades to previous models, so if you already have an iPad, you may want to stick to the same model. Or you may want a different model if your current iPad doesn’t meet your needs.
If you’re new to the world of iPad, or you are buying a gift for someone who has never used an iPad, you could get the basic 9th-generation iPad from 2021. You may want to see how and how much the iPad is being used before investing in a more costly model.
With such a wide range of iPad options, you should be able to match your wants and needs for your iPad with your budget.
Your Thoughts
Are you interested in any of the new iPads? Which new features are most compelling to you? Have you decided which iPad works best for you?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Gosh, thanks for this article, but I still find all the models confusing. I use my current iPad Pro 9.7″ for creating references for my artwork, but it is also my device for blogging when I travel. And I still find the deficiencies of the iOS filing system annoying. If it weren’t for the Apple Pencil and being able to draw on the screen, I would just get a macBook. Just not sure which category I fall into.
Hi Ann, You’re right, all these choices are quite confusing, though I hope this article cleared up your confusion at least somewhat. I blog on my MacBook Pro computer, I find blogging on my iPad to be too limiting. I use PicMonkey Pro which has much more functionality on the web than it the app.
All of the iPad listed work with one Apple Pencil, either 1st or 2nd generation. The 2022 basic iPad requires a dongle to charge the Apple Pencil, which personally would drive me nuts. I’m not a dongle fan!