iPad 10 vs. iPad Air 5: Is the redesigned entry-level tablet a worthy alternative?

The 10th generation of the entry-level iPad launched with a major redesign, as Apple finally gave it the all-screen design. With its screen size the same as the existing fifth-gen iPad Air, Apple fans may be wondering if the newly announced device is a worthy, cheaper alternative.

iPad 10's new design is one of the biggest updates it received in years. It means users will have more screen area now that its display size has been upped to 10.9 inches, like the iPad Air. While both tablets have the same resolution of 2360 x 1640 at 264ppi, the iPad 10's display is not fully laminated and is missing an antireflective coating, unlike other available iPads.

The other major upgrade iPad 10 received is the A14 Bionic. Although the chipset is two years old already, it is still an improvement from iPad 9's A13 chip. However, this also means the new entry-level tablet will unlikely support Stage Manager, which will be available in the M1-powered iPad Air 5. The multitasking functionality will allow M1 and M2 iPads to open up to four window apps simultaneously and connect to displays with up to 6K resolution. Apple confirmed earlier that Stage Manager is also coming to non-M1 tablets, but only to older models of iPad Pro and without support for external display.

Before the announcements on Tuesday, the entry-level iPad was the remaining tablet in the product line with the Lightning port. Apple changed that by including USB-C in the iPad 10. For some reason, though, Apple designed the device with native support for the first-gen Apple Pencil only. The company notes on a support page that users will need a USB-C dongle to pair and charge the second-gen Apple Pencil with the iPad 10. Apple also noted that the iPad 10 would work with its Magic Keyboard Folio but not with the Smart Keyboard Folio.

Overall, the iPad 10 is still a considerable upgrade compared to its predecessor, especially with the addition of 5G connectivity. Customers who need an upgrade for basic productivity-focused tasks might still want to consider the newly announced tablet. In other areas that matter, it has the same capabilities as the iPad Air 5, including an advertised battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge. With its pricing, features, specs, and support accessories, Apple appears to have upgraded its latest entry-level iPad without muddying its distinction from the iPad Air series.

There will be more color options for the iPad 10, including blue, pink, yellow, and silver. Its Wi-Fi variant starts at $449, while 5G-enabled units will cost $599 and up. Storage options available will be 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Apple fans can now order the tablet from Apple.com or wait for it to arrive in stores on Oct. 26.