The 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation is a weird device. Honestly, when Apple first dropped this thing, people were confused because it sat in this awkward middle ground between the super-cheap 9th gen and the much more powerful iPad Air. It felt like a transition piece. It changed the look, ditched the home button, and finally gave us USB-C, but it kept some old-school quirks that made people tilt their heads.
But here’s the thing.
Price cuts happen. Time passes. And suddenly, what felt "awkward" in 2022 starts looking like the best value for most people by 2026. If you're looking for a tablet that doesn't cost a mortgage payment but also doesn't feel like a relic from 2015, this specific 10.9-inch model is basically the sweet spot for students and casual Netflix-watchers.
The landscape of the 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation
Apple didn't just give this iPad a facelift; they completely moved the furniture around. The biggest change—and arguably the best one—was the relocation of the front-facing camera. For years, iPad users had to look like they were staring off into space during Zoom calls because the camera was on the "top" (the short side). With the 10th generation, Apple finally moved it to the landscape edge. It’s such a simple fix, yet it makes a massive difference if you actually use your tablet for work or school.
The screen is a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It's sharp. It's bright enough at 500 nits. But let’s be real: it isn't laminated. If you’re a professional digital artist, you’ll notice a tiny gap between the glass and the actual display. For the rest of us just tapping on icons or sketching for fun, it doesn't matter one bit. You get that modern, all-screen design without the "Pro" price tag.
Under the hood, you’ve got the A14 Bionic chip. It’s the same silicon that powered the iPhone 12. While that might sound "old" in tech years, Apple’s chips age like fine wine compared to most mid-range Android tablets. It handles multitasking with Stage Manager? No, it doesn't get the full Stage Manager experience like the M-series chips, but it does split-screen and slide-over just fine. It’s snappy. Apps open fast. You aren't going to feel like you're waiting on the machine.
That whole Apple Pencil situation
We have to talk about the Pencil. It was the biggest controversy at launch. The 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation supports the 1st-generation Apple Pencil (the one with the Lightning connector) and the newer USB-C Apple Pencil. It does not support the 2nd-gen Pencil that sticks to the side to charge.
If you have the 1st-gen Pencil, you need a goofy little dongle to charge it because the iPad has a USB-C port. It’s a bit of a mess. However, Apple later released the USB-C Apple Pencil, which fits this iPad perfectly. It's cheaper, though it lacks pressure sensitivity. If you're a heavy note-taker, it's a great pair. If you're an illustrator, the 1st-gen Pencil with the adapter is still your best bet for that pressure-sensitive stroke.
Why the hardware choices actually make sense now
Most people just want a tablet that works for five years. The A14 Bionic inside the 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation is still receiving consistent iPadOS updates and likely will for a long time. It’s built on a 5-nanometer process, which was a huge jump in efficiency when it debuted.
- USB-C is a lifesaver. You can finally use the same cable for your phone, your laptop, and your iPad.
- The Colors. Silver is boring. The Blue, Pink, and Yellow finishes on this model are legitimately fun. They have a metallic pop that feels premium.
- Touch ID in the power button. It’s fast. It’s reliable. Some people actually prefer it over Face ID because it works regardless of whether you're wearing a mask or how the tablet is angled on a desk.
The battery life is the standard "Apple 10 hours." In real-world use, that means you can get through a cross-country flight or a full day of lectures without hunting for a wall outlet. If you're just using it for an hour of reading a night, you might only charge it once a week.
The Magic Keyboard Folio is the secret weapon
Apple designed a specific keyboard for this model. It’s different from the Magic Keyboard for the Pro. It has a function row! This is something iPad Pro users were jealous of for years. You can adjust brightness, volume, and media playback without diving into the Control Center. The two-piece design is also great because you can rip the keyboard off and just keep the back cover/kickstand on when you want to watch a movie.
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It turns the 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation into a legitimate laptop replacement for basic tasks. Writing emails? Perfect. Browsing the web? Easy. Coding a complex app? Maybe not.
What usually gets ignored in reviews
People focus on specs, but they forget about the speakers. This iPad has landscape stereo speakers. On the older 9th gen, both speakers were on the bottom, so if you turned it sideways to watch a movie, all the sound came from one side. It felt lopsided. The 10th gen fixes this. The soundstage is wider, and it’s actually loud enough to fill a small room.
Then there's the Wi-Fi 6 support. If you have a modern router, your downloads are going to be significantly faster than on older models. It’s one of those "invisible" upgrades that makes the device feel modern even if you can't see it on the box.
Common misconceptions about the 10th Gen
A lot of tech reviewers trashed this iPad because of the price hike at launch. They said, "Just buy the Air." But the price has shifted. You can frequently find the 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation on sale at major retailers for significantly less than the original MSRP. When the price drops into the sub-$350 range, the "just buy the Air" argument falls apart because the Air is still much more expensive.
Another myth is that the screen is "bad" because it isn't laminated. Let’s be clear: it’s a high-resolution Retina display. Unless you are holding it side-by-side with a $1,000 iPad Pro, you won't care. The colors are vibrant (P3 color gamut isn't here, it's sRGB, but for 99% of people, that's fine).
Who should actually buy this?
If you are a student, this is the one. It’s durable, it’s modern, and the landscape camera is perfect for online classes. Parents buying a tablet for kids should also look here. The 10.9-inch size is big enough for games and videos but light enough for a child to hold easily.
If you are a "pro" user—someone editing 4K video daily or doing professional 3D design—move along. You need the M2 or M4 chips found in the higher-end models. The 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation is a consumption and "light" creation device. It’s for the person who wants to browse Reddit, write a term paper, and maybe edit some photos from their vacation.
Actionable steps for buyers
If you’ve decided the 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation is the right fit, don't just click "buy" on the first listing you see.
- Check for sales. This model is almost always on sale at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. Never pay the full original Apple Store price.
- Pick your Pencil carefully. If you just want to take notes and navigate the UI, get the USB-C Apple Pencil. It’s cheaper and easier to charge. Only get the 1st-gen Pencil if you specifically need pressure sensitivity for art.
- Storage matters. The base 64GB is fine if you stream everything. If you plan to download movies for travel or keep a massive library of games, you really should consider the 256GB version. You can't add an SD card later.
- Look at refurbished options. Apple's official refurbished store or reputable third-party sellers often have these for even deeper discounts, and since the hardware is so solid, a used one is a great bet.
The 10.9 inch iPad 10th generation represents the end of the "old" iPad era. It brought the entry-level tablet into the modern age with a better screen, better ports, and a much better camera position. It’s the workhorse of the lineup. It’s not flashy, but it’s exactly what most people actually need.