Honestly, the tech world loves to overcomplicate things. You go online and see people arguing about teraflops or laminated screens, and it feels like you need a degree in engineering just to buy a tablet for Netflix and some light emails. But here is the thing: the iPad Apple 10th generation is basically the "Goldilocks" of tablets. It is not too expensive, it is not too weak, and for most people, it is just right.
Even now in 2026, it is the one I find myself recommending to friends more than any other. Why? Because most people do not need an M5 chip to scroll through TikTok or sign a PDF. They just need something that works.
What Most People Get Wrong About the iPad 10
There was so much drama when this thing first came out. People were genuinely upset about the Apple Pencil situation. If you are not familiar, the 10th gen uses the 1st-generation Apple Pencil, which has a Lightning connector, while the iPad itself has a USB-C port. Yeah, it’s a bit of a "dongle-fest" if you use that specific pencil. You need a little $9 adapter to charge it.
But here is the secret: Apple eventually released a USB-C Apple Pencil that fixes that headache.
And let’s talk about the screen. Critics love to point out that the display isn't "laminated." Basically, there is a tiny air gap between the glass you touch and the actual pixels. Does it matter? If you are a professional digital artist like Loish, maybe. If you are watching The Bear while eating cereal? You will literally never notice.
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The Real-World Specs That Actually Matter
- The Screen: It’s a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It's bright (500 nits) and looks crisp.
- The Chip: The A14 Bionic. It’s "old" by tech standards, but it handles iPadOS 26 like a champ.
- The Camera: This is the best part. It was the first iPad to move the front camera to the landscape edge.
- The Port: USB-C. Finally. You can use the same cable for your phone, your laptop, and your iPad.
That landscape camera is a bigger deal than it sounds. On older iPads, when you are on a Zoom call in landscape mode, it looks like you are looking off into space. On the iPad Apple 10th generation, you actually look like a normal human being looking at the screen.
Pricing and Why It Is a Steal Right Now
Back in 2022, this thing launched at $449, which felt a bit steep. Today, you can find it for much less. In early 2026, the market has shifted. New 64GB models are often sitting around $349, and if you look at the refurbished market on sites like Swappa, you can snag them for as low as $230-$260.
That is wild value.
Comparing it to the newer 11th gen or the iPad Air? Sure, those are faster. They have Apple Intelligence (AI) features that the 10th gen lacks because it only has 4GB of RAM. But ask yourself: do you really need your tablet to write your emails for you? If the answer is "I just want to play Genshin Impact and check my bank account," save the $200.
The "Hidden" Success of the Magic Keyboard Folio
Apple made a specific keyboard for this model, the Magic Keyboard Folio. It’s different from the ones for the Pro models. It comes in two pieces. The back is a kickstand, and the keyboard snaps on and off.
I love this design.
Sometimes you want a laptop. Sometimes you just want a screen with a stand to watch a recipe while you cook. Being able to rip the keyboard off while keeping the stand attached is something even the $1,000 iPad Pro can't do natively without a bulky case. It makes the iPad Apple 10th generation feel like a tiny, colorful Microsoft Surface, but with better apps.
Is 64GB Enough?
This is the big question.
Honestly? It depends.
If you stream everything—Spotify, Netflix, Disney+—and keep your photos in iCloud, 64GB is totally fine. But if you're a hoarder of 4K video files or you want to install every heavy game on the App Store, you'll hit that limit in a week. I usually tell people to grab the 256GB version if they plan on keeping it for five years.
The Longevity Factor: How Long Will It Last?
Apple is legendary for software support. The A14 Bionic chip inside this tablet first appeared in the iPhone 12. We are currently seeing Apple support devices for 6 to 8 years. You can reasonably expect the iPad Apple 10th generation to get iPadOS updates until at least 2028 or 2029.
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Even after the "big" OS updates stop, the apps will keep working for years. My old iPad 6th gen is still kicking around as a dedicated kitchen tablet, and it's nearly a decade old.
Actionable Buying Advice
If you are currently staring at a cart, here is how to decide:
- Buy it if: You are a student taking notes, a parent looking for a kid's tablet, or someone who wants a "couch device." The landscape camera and the price make it the smart choice.
- Skip it if: You are a professional illustrator (you want a laminated screen) or you absolutely must have the latest Apple Intelligence AI features. In that case, look at the iPad Air with an M-series chip.
- Check the Pencil: If you buy this, don't buy the 1st-gen Apple Pencil unless you already own it. Buy the Apple Pencil (USB-C). It’s cheaper, it pairs easily, and there's no dongle drama.
- The "Used" Hack: Since the 11th generation is out now, the 10th gen is flooded on the used market. You can get a "Mint" condition 256GB model for the price of a brand-new 64GB one.
Basically, stop overthinking it. The iPad Apple 10th generation is a workhorse in a pretty, colorful shell. It’s the tablet that just works, without making your wallet cry.