The new iPad is here, with a stunning new redesign. But how does it compare to last year’s iPad? We took a look to find out.
The humble Apple iPad has been one of our favorite tablets for many, many years now — but it’s also been clear for years that it needs a design update. That’s no longer the case, as 2022’s Apple iPad has been revealed with a stunning new design that brings it into line with the rest of Apple’s iPad roster. A new design is only the start, though, as this year’s iPad also has a USB-C port and a brand-new version of the Magic Keyboard as well.
However, all these improvements mean the new iPad also comes with a new price tag of $449 — a large increase over the $329 iPad from last year. Thankfully, Apple has left last year’s iPad up for sale as an alternative, but which iPad should you buy? Is the shiny new iPad worth the extra dollars, or should you save money with an older iPad instead? Or, if you’re still using an older iPad, should you be trading it in for the new iPad? We compared the two to find out.
The basic iPad has been due a design update for years, and it’s finally here. The new iPad sports a design akin to the iPad Air, with flat sides, a metal enclosure, and symmetrical bezels all the way around the display. Those reduced bezels mean the 2022 iPad has a larger 10.9-inch screen in a roughly similar footprint, and the selfie camera has been moved to the center of the landscape orientation rather than the portrait. The result is a cheaper device that doesn’t betray its budget origins, is clearly intended for more serious use with the Magic Keyboard Folio, and is less like a traditional tablet.
In contrast, the iPad 2021 is about as classic and traditional as you can get. The larger bezels and TouchID sensor at the bottom mean this is a device best used in portrait mode, although it can also be paired with the Apple Smart Keyboard for use as a laptop-like device too. There’s no getting away from how old it looks, though some may prefer this style. Both devices are likely to have similar durability due to their similar builds. Both have the same water resistance, which is to say: none at all.
Ultimately, both of these designs are useful for different people. If you want an iPad that will function as a laptop replacement, then the iPad 2022 is right for you. If it’s a traditional tablet that’s used for light browsing, then the thicker bezels of the iPad 2021 may appeal. But even with that in mind, we think that most people will gravitate toward the more modern-looking iPad 2022, which is why it’s won this round.
Winner: Apple iPad 2022
Neither of these iPads is going to lead the pack where performance is concerned, but neither are they slow performers. Both are packing older generations of the Apple-built A-series processors: the A13 Bionic on the iPad 2021 and the A14 Bionic on the iPad 2022. Despite their age, both of these are still top-notch mobile processors, and you should be able to play the top games and handle multiple apps with ease.
