OPINION : This week , Apple unveiled two new tablets : the entry - leveliPad 10and a young iteration of theiPad Pro .
Judging from the specs , they both look to be comely upgrades . The newfangled iPad 10 has have a processor refresh , a larger concealment and now comes in multiple colour options . The iPad Pro has n’t had as many improvements , but does profit from the mighty tycoon of theM2 chip .
But alarm bells started ring inside my head when I spotted the pricing – Apple has up the cost significantly .
The iPad 10 has a starting cost of $ 449 / £ 499 , which is a banging $ 120 / £ 130 more expensive than the precedingiPad 9 . And if you want5Gsupport , you ’ll need to spend at least $ 599 / £ 679 .
Yes , Apple has improved both the pattern and spec for the new iPad , but I ’m not convinced they ’re proficient enough to warrant the boost in price .
The new iPad 10 is powered by an A14 Bionic CPU , which set in motion back in 2020 inside theiPhone 12 . Apple has since launched theA16 Bionic chipfor theiPhone 14 Pro , which means the new tablet ’s processor is two generations old . I do n’t thinker ship’s company using older processors for new ware , but only when the price reflect that .
And while the iPad ’s move toUSB - Cis welcome , it mean the Apple Pencil accessory can no longer use the Lightning port to replenish its battery . or else , Apple state you ’ll involve to buy a separate add-on just to tear the Apple Pencil . This whole fiasco could have been stave off if the iPad 10 supported the Apple Pencil 2 , but Apple decided against upgrading the tablet with the required wireless magnetic charger .
The only iPad upgrade that even comes closely to warrant the price raise is the novel design and enceinte CRT screen . Apple has upped the size of the panel from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inch , although that ’s hardly choke to make a huge improvement to the user experience .
Fortunately , the iPad 9 is still available on Apple ’s online store , so you at least have the option to buy the more affordable model instead . That should n’t be admit for yield , as Apple is only offering the in style iPad Pro on the store despite the late price increase .
The 11 - inch iPad Pro 2022 has a starting price of $ 799 / £ 899 , while the 12.9 - inch role model costs an eye - watering $ 1099 £ 1249 . That ’s not too speculative for our friends across the Atlantic since Apple has maintain the same price point as the 2021 manikin . But UK customers have an unwished increment – £ 150 more for the 11 - column inch , and £ 250 extra for the 12.9 - inch .
Despite the outrageous toll , the only major raise you ’re getting is the new M2 chip , providing up to 15 % faster processor carrying out than the forego M1 processor , and a 35 % speedy GPU . It ’s keen to see Apple giving the iPad Pro a swiftness cost increase , but does that justify a £ 250 price step-up ? I do n’t reckon so .
It gets even strange when you liken the iPad Pro to the MacBook Air . The newM2 - powered MacBook Airhas a £ 1249 start price – the exact same cost of the iPad Pro . I do n’t really empathise the logic here , with the Air featuring double the amount of storage , a larger screen ( albeit not with aMini LEDbacklight ) and – of course of study – an integrated keyboard .
The detachableMagic Keyboardaccessory for the iPad Pro cost a further £ 379 . You could opt for the £ 219 Smart Keyboard Folio instead , but it ’s still an expensive leverage . If you opt for the former , that takes the total cost of the iPad Pro and its accessory to an astronomical £ 1629 .
You could charge Brexit and the falling value of the Cypriot pound for the iPad Pro monetary value cost increase , specially since the US is seemingly unmoved . But that still does n’t deepen the fact that the iPad Pro fall in an odd place in Apple ’s ecosystem by sharing the same base price as the MacBook Air .
We ’ll have to waitress until we in reality review these Modern iPad lozenge before deciding whether they still comprise upright value for money , but by simply try the spectacles sheet , it ’s hard to indicate in Apple ’s party favour .
