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darngooddesign

macrumors P6
Jul 4, 2007
18,362
10,114
Atlanta, GA
Even though I am critical of the 10th gen iPad, primarily its price point. I am seriously considering buying one.

I recently bought a 9th gen iPad (64GB) on a Black Friday sale as a Christmas present for my mother. Her current 7yr. old one works, but it’s gotten creaky even for just the few games she likes to play. The 9 will perform far better and the 10.2 screen will be a step up over her 9.7.

For myself I presently have an iPad Pro 10.5. It still works well, but I’m beginning to notice the battery seems to drain faster than before. It ain’t gonna get any better.

I considered 64GB 9th gen, but that would be a step down in screen size and I don’t want that. I was (maybe still am) considering a 5th gen M1 iPad Air with 64GB, but I find $799 CAN rather steep for an iPad for my needs. Mind you I do get a ten percent staff discount from work and I can get about $60-$70 CAN as a trade-in for my 10.5 Pro that could lessen the sting.

On the other hand along comes the 10th gen iPad at $599 CAN, which has is essentially an iPad Air lite without the M1 or laminated display yet would still be a major upgrade over my 10.5 Pro. Add staff discount and trade-in and it looks a lot less steep for my needs.

Decisions, decisions…


Thoughts anyone? Anyone else weighing or have weighed this choice? Anyone have a 10th gen iPad and how do you like it?
Since the other differences between the iPad-10 and iPad-Air don't matter as much, which do you prioritize more, Pencil 2 or Landscape Camera? If it's the former, don't forget to look at refurbished previous generation iPad Airs.
 
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Alex Cai

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2021
431
387
Even though I am critical of the 10th gen iPad, primarily its price point. I am seriously considering buying one.

I recently bought a 9th gen iPad (64GB) on a Black Friday sale as a Christmas present for my mother. Her current 7yr. old one works, but it’s gotten creaky even for just the few games she likes to play. The 9 will perform far better and the 10.2 screen will be a step up over her 9.7.

For myself I presently have an iPad Pro 10.5. It still works well, but I’m beginning to notice the battery seems to drain faster than before. It ain’t gonna get any better.

I considered 64GB 9th gen, but that would be a step down in screen size and I don’t want that. I was (maybe still am) considering a 5th gen M1 iPad Air with 64GB, but I find $799 CAN rather steep for an iPad for my needs. Mind you I do get a ten percent staff discount from work and I can get about $60-$70 CAN as a trade-in for my 10.5 Pro that could lessen the sting.

On the other hand along comes the 10th gen iPad at $599 CAN, which has is essentially an iPad Air lite without the M1 or laminated display yet would still be a major upgrade over my 10.5 Pro. Add staff discount and trade-in and it looks a lot less steep for my needs.

Decisions, decisions…


Thoughts anyone? Anyone else weighing or have weighed this choice? Anyone have a 10th gen iPad and how do you like it?
10gen iPad was a good choice for your mother, since she doesn't use the pencil and the price is very decent.
But I don't recommend you to get a iPad Air because it doesn't have ProMotion and it is painful get used to 60fps. A discounted iPad Pro 2021/20 is better
 

WilliApple

macrumors 6502a
Feb 19, 2022
984
1,427
Colorado
You are confusing Amazon certified refurbished, which basically means used (and verified to work), and Apple refurbished, which basically means new (again totally new battery, totally new screen, totally new body). These are 2 completely different worlds. It's unfortaunte people confuse them and give this kind of advice....
Im talking about Apple Certified Refurbished. My friend bought from Apple Certified Refurbished, and all his apple products are bad.

Also:
 

jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
Since the other differences between the iPad-10 and iPad-Air don't matter as much, which do you prioritize more, Pencil 2 or Landscape Camera? If it's the former, don't forget to look at refurbished previous generation iPad Airs.

Could you expand on the difference between the iPad 10 and the iPad Air 5 not mattering much? I have been comparing, and the Air of course has the M1 chip and 8GB RAM.... but I know Apple's mobile devices function quite differently in that they don't need a ton of RAM as desktop devices might- should the 4GB be decent for years to come, with no real "hit" to performance, and high powered gaming being the only thing that will show any issue with the RAM or the slower processor?

Costco has the iPad 10 for $389 right now, and it is tempting to pick one up, though I was initially sure on getting the iPad Air 5 due to seemingly being future proof- on sale now for $499.
 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,643
4,469
Im talking about Apple Certified Refurbished. My friend bought from Apple Certified Refurbished, and all his apple products are bad.

Also:
As the video says, the refurbished iPad was indistinguishible from new.... He had an issue with a Mac (which was promptly replaced, since these devices had warranties like new devices). And the issue was that they send him a demo unit, which happens very rarely and again, promptly replaced.
So, if anything this video shows that refurbished is basically just as good as new...
Your friend may claim that he has had bad luck with all Apple refurbished, other can claim they they had zero issues and/or had bad luck with new products....
The statistics of "your friend" is one person out of millions.... If you look on these forums you will see countless examples of people happy with their "good as new" Apple refurbished devices....
 
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mittencuh

macrumors regular
Nov 4, 2012
146
192
Colorado Springs
I am Gen Z myself, and I get Apple Products for Christmas every year. If I can get Apple Products for Christmas every year, I guarantee that this father can also give an iPad X, which is very low compared to my Christmas list this year.
View attachment 2123603
Yeah, I’m a father, and literally nothing on your list would be affordable for me. What exactly is the point you’re trying to make?
 

darngooddesign

macrumors P6
Jul 4, 2007
18,362
10,114
Atlanta, GA
Could you expand on the difference between the iPad 10 and the iPad Air 5 not mattering much? I have been comparing, and the Air of course has the M1 chip and 8GB RAM.... but I know Apple's mobile devices function quite differently in that they don't need a ton of RAM as desktop devices might- should the 4GB be decent for years to come, with no real "hit" to performance, and high powered gaming being the only thing that will show any issue with the RAM or the slower processor?

Costco has the iPad 10 for $389 right now, and it is tempting to pick one up, though I was initially sure on getting the iPad Air 5 due to seemingly being future proof- on sale now for $499.
I think the differences matter, and I would choose an M1-Air over the iPad-10, but it sounded like the OP didn't think they did enough to pick an M1 Air.
 
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Christopher Kim

macrumors 6502a
Nov 18, 2016
768
740
Why not just get a new battery for the 10.5 iPad Pro? Because the 10 gen iPad and iPad Air 5 is really not an upgrade, except for a newer processor. And, for the iPad Air 5 there are 8 GB RAM vs the 4 GB you have in your 10.5. So that is an upgrade. But not one you really need.

Your 10.5" Pro has ProMotion and 4 speakers. The other models do not. - The 10th gen iPad does not even have the wider color display. The 10.5" has a higher nits than the two other models (600 vs 500).
+1 for considering battery replacement as an option. If your 10.5 Pro still fulfills your power-needs, getting a new battery will really add some legs. And it's a great device with a better 120hz ProMotion screen / speakers than the new Air. Only potential detraction is the older design language / home button. I actually did this not too long ago with my 10.5 Pro (that I had given to my kid to be her primary iPad when I got my 2018 11" iPP). Will bring a lot more life and longevity for my kid.

It's only $99 as long as the Battery Health is showing <80%. Unfortunately iPadOS doesn't have a way to check health, but if you install Coconut Battery on a computer and connect your iPad to it, it can check it. Note, Apple's diagnostic tool that they'll use when you bring it in store is slightly different than Coconut Battery (usually higher by a few percentage points), but I'd be willing to bet your 10.5 Pro's battery health is likely well under 80% if you're noticing lower battery life issue. Mine was at 74% on Coconut Battery when I brought it in.
 
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Love-hate 🍏 relationship

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2021
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3,235
What do you do with your ipad ? Browsing , reading pdf and books ? Any of them will do

I don’t think the switch to 10.2 will be that noticeable , and it will allow you to save a lot of money, but you do you.

I genuinely don’t think you’ll benefit from the m1 air .

In fact I remember now , its battery is much worse that the regular ipad ! The iPad Air has the worse battery of all iPads, while the 9th and 10th have the best ( by far)

Definitely Get the 10th or 9th ;)
 

jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
What do you do with your ipad ? Browsing , reading pdf and books ? Any of them will do

I don’t think the switch to 10.2 will be that noticeable , and it will allow you to save a lot of money, but you do you.

I genuinely don’t think you’ll benefit from the m1 air .

In fact I remember now , its battery is much worse that the regular ipad ! The iPad Air has the worse battery of all iPads, while the 9th and 10th have the best ( by far)

Definitely Get the 10th or 9th ;)
That last comment is interesting- is the physical size of the battery in the Air smaller than what's in the 10th gen regular iPad, or even the Pro- even though the devices overall have the same measurements?
 

Schauspieler

macrumors newbie
Jun 12, 2021
5
2
Best feature might be the camera placement, but this will probably spread to the rest of the lineup over the next year or two.
 

Love-hate 🍏 relationship

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2021
3,057
3,235
That last comment is interesting- is the physical size of the battery in the Air smaller than what's in the 10th gen regular iPad, or even the Pro- even though the devices overall have the same measurements?
9: 32.4mw
10: 28.6
Air:28.6

The 9 has the biggest battery with an extremely efficient chip (A13 is still hella powerful)

The 10 has a much smaller battery but the a14 is even more efficient I think . Still it's battery isnt as good as the 9 iirc

The air has small battery combined with laptop class chip ... Which isn't good , lol

What I don't understand is how the ipad pro 11" has better battery , even tho it's the same size as the air
 
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Warped9

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 27, 2018
1,723
2,415
Brockville, Ontario.
What do you do with your ipad ? Browsing , reading pdf and books ? Any of them will do

I don’t think the switch to 10.2 will be that noticeable , and it will allow you to save a lot of money, but you do you.

I genuinely don’t think you’ll benefit from the m1 air .

In fact I remember now , its battery is much worse that the regular ipad ! The iPad Air has the worse battery of all iPads, while the 9th and 10th have the best ( by far)

Definitely Get the 10th or 9th ;)
I visit Youtube quite a bit--my substitute for lack of interesting television and the fact that History and Discovery channels have become garbage. I browse and visit newspaper sites and news networks. I sometimes play a couple of simple games. I do sometimes read ebooks on it. And, of course, email and text. So, yes, when it comes to consuming media my iPad is my go to device. I also use my iMac for some of those things, but it's primarily for 3D modeling and Photoshop and such.

Interesting bit about the battery. I would have thought the Air would be as good as the Pro in terms of battery life.
 

jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
9: 32.4mw
10: 28.6
Air:28.6

The 9 has the biggest battery with an extremely efficient chip (A13 is still hella powerful)

The 10 has a much smaller battery but the a14 is even more efficient I think . Still it's battery isnt as good as the 9 iirc

The air has small battery combined with laptop class chip ... Which isn't good , lol

What I don't understand is how the ipad pro 11" has better battery , even tho it's the same size as the air

Yeah, that's interesting about the difference between Pro and the Air!

You mentioned the A13 still being super powerful- so that should mean the A14 in the 10th gen would make it a power device for years to come, I assume? (or would the 4GB RAM really hold it back?)

It's amazing how powerful these chips are... I have a 2017 iMac 27" on my desk here, which because it's a desktop device I have always had this assumption that it was superior for any heavier tasks than my phone or an iPad.... but the Geekbench score for it is only about 850 for single core, which is half of what the 10th Gen iPad is able to achieve. It's incredible how far things have come!
 

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Apr 8, 2015
3,684
2,088
9: 32.4mw
10: 28.6
Air:28.6

The 9 has the biggest battery with an extremely efficient chip (A13 is still hella powerful)

The 10 has a much smaller battery but the a14 is even more efficient I think . Still it's battery isnt as good as the 9 iirc

The air has small battery combined with laptop class chip ... Which isn't good , lol

What I don't understand is how the ipad pro 11" has better battery , even tho it's the same size as the air
Are you sure about this? Maybe with heavy use this is true, but my Air 5 is by far the best iOS device ever in terms of battery life. Web browsing, TV shows, reading, low brightness, and I get like 25 hours of screen-on time.

Neither the 9.7-inch iPad Pro nor the iPad 6th gen on their original iOS versions are anywhere close to that, both standing at about 14 hours (I tested the iPad 6th gen and I was shocked to see that it was similar to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro when it was on iOS 9 (it was pathetically forced to iOS 12 by Apple and battery life plummeted), but maybe I should test it again sometime, that said, every partial test I’ve run indicates it is at 16 hours at most, not a lot better), so if I had to guess, I doubt the iPad 9th gen gets anywhere near 25 hours. Maybe the M1 is too efficient for these tasks and you’re taking heavy use into account which presumably shatters battery life? Because like I said, even large-battery, efficient iPads on earlier - and more efficient - iOS versions aren’t anywhere near the Air 5.

For reference, I got 9 hours of screen-on time from 100% to 63%. Like I said, I doubt the 9th gen can be better than that.
 

Love-hate 🍏 relationship

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2021
3,057
3,235
I visit Youtube quite a bit--my substitute for lack of interesting television and the fact that History and Discovery channels have become garbage. I browse and visit newspaper sites and news networks. I sometimes play a couple of simple games. I do sometimes read ebooks on it. And, of course, email and text. So, yes, when it comes to consuming media my iPad is my go to device. I also use my iMac for some of those things, but it's primarily for 3D modeling and Photoshop and such.

Interesting bit about the battery. I would have thought the Air would be as good as the Pro in terms of battery life.
Id try the 9th gen if you can ,and if the 0.3inch downgrade bother you then go to a 10th

It's absolutely not worth the money imho bit you do you

Yeah ikr? Maybe bcz the pro motion displays consumes less.dunno
 

Love-hate 🍏 relationship

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2021
3,057
3,235
Yeah, that's interesting about the difference between Pro and the Air!

You mentioned the A13 still being super powerful- so that should mean the A14 in the 10th gen would make it a power device for years to come, I assume? (or would the 4GB RAM really hold it back?)

It's amazing how powerful these chips are... I have a 2017 iMac 27" on my desk here, which because it's a desktop device I have always had this assumption that it was superior for any heavier tasks than my phone or an iPad.... but the Geekbench score for it is only about 850 for single core, which is half of what the 10th Gen iPad is able to achieve. It's incredible how far things have come!
Power on an ipad feels kinda useless to me . At least for my needs and that of OP's

Eh yeah it'd be more powerful but not by a wide margin really, and I sincerely doubt it'd make a difference in daily usage . I may be wrong tho. But on ipad it just don't matter

4gb of ram...well again depends on.what you do. If you use procreate then yeah...otherwise 4gb is a lot on iOS still
 
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jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
Power on an ipad feels kinda useless to me . At least for my needs and that of OP's

Eh yeah it'd be more powerful but not by a wide margin really, and I sincerely doubt it'd make a difference in daily usage . I may be wrong tho. But on ipad it just don't matter

4gb of ram...well again depends on.what you do. If you use procreate then yeah...otherwise 4gb is a lot on iOS still
Thanks! Yeah I was wondering about that- I don't see myself doing more than web browsing, email, social media, and the heaviest use- doing single photo editing in Lightroom or Pixelmator- which I suspect still doesn't use a lot of horsepower.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,916
13,260
but I know Apple's mobile devices function quite differently in that they don't need a ton of RAM as desktop devices might- should the 4GB be decent for years to come,

That's no longer true. iPadOS/system overhead uses up around 1-2GB RAM base nowadays which doesn't leave a lot for apps.

On my iPad mini 6 (A15/4GB), I get lots of reloads and the occasional app crash.

Personally, I'd take the 2020 iPad Pro 11" (A12Z/6GB) with its older chipset over the 10th gen.
 

jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
That's no longer true. iPadOS/system overhead uses up around 1-2GB RAM base nowadays which doesn't leave a lot for apps.

On my iPad mini 6 (A15/4GB), I get lots of reloads and the occasional app crash.

Personally, I'd take the 2020 iPad Pro 11" (A12Z/6GB) with its older chipset over the 10th gen.
Thanks!
Or I might still opt for the Air.... I did order it on Black Friday for $499, just haven't opened it yet, and then had seen the $389 deal at Costco for the 10th gen iPad, so I was considering.... but it is hard to overlook the horsepower and overhead available on the Air.
 

jm31828

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2015
1,394
896
Bothell, Washington
The price dropped to $399 for the 64GB and $50 off the 256GB pricing. Trade in your older iPad for credit and voila, offset some of the cost.
It is actually $389 right now at Costco for the 64GB.

This is partly why I am considering it instead of the Air, which I was able to order on sale for $499... for my light use, trying to determine if the $110 increase is worth it or not.
 
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Love-hate 🍏 relationship

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2021
3,057
3,235
Are you sure about this? Maybe with heavy use this is true, but my Air 5 is by far the best iOS device ever in terms of battery life. Web browsing, TV shows, reading, low brightness, and I get like 25 hours of screen-on time.

Neither the 9.7-inch iPad Pro nor the iPad 6th gen on their original iOS versions are anywhere close to that, both standing at about 14 hours (I tested the iPad 6th gen and I was shocked to see that it was similar to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro when it was on iOS 9 (it was pathetically forced to iOS 12 by Apple and battery life plummeted), but maybe I should test it again sometime, that said, every partial test I’ve run indicates it is at 16 hours at most, not a lot better), so if I had to guess, I doubt the iPad 9th gen gets anywhere near 25 hours. Maybe the M1 is too efficient for these tasks and you’re taking heavy use into account which presumably shatters battery life? Because like I said, even large-battery, efficient iPads on earlier - and more efficient - iOS versions aren’t anywhere near the Air 5.

For reference, I got 9 hours of screen-on time from 100% to 63%. Like I said, I doubt the 9th gen can be better than that.
I'm not sure . You know better. I only looked at several tests, but didnt use one myself

Bro, 25h ? Are you for real? I'd like a screenshot, that's incredible battery life !! I've never heard anyone getting that much SOT.

I do think you'd get even more with the 9th gen still...which would crazy honestly. The 9th gen has a more efficient chip and a bigger battery lol

Could you please show screenshots and describe your use? I'd love to hear about it. 25h of sot is a dream of.mine
Thanks! Yeah I was wondering about that- I don't see myself doing more than web browsing, email, social media, and the heaviest use- doing single photo editing in Lightroom or Pixelmator- which I suspect still doesn't use a lot of horsepower.
unless you mind lightning I'd go for the iPad 9th . Rounded edges are super nice to hold btw
 
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