Apple iPad Apple iPad (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB) - Silver Review

If you're looking for a basic iPad that's great for watching videos, browsing the web, and reading, the 10.2-inch iPad is a solid pick. It's the classic iPad experience, with a familiar design, a sharp Retina display, and Apple's reliable A12 Bionic chip. At around $145, it's one of the most affordable ways to get into the Apple ecosystem. People often ask, 'is this iPad good for students or casual use?' The short answer is yes, especially if your main tasks are streaming, light gaming, and using apps.

The A12 Bionic chip, while a few generations old now, still holds up well for everyday stuff. It scores in the 71st percentile for CPU performance, which means it feels snappy for launching apps, scrolling through social media, and handling multiple browser tabs. The GPU is in the 70th percentile, so it can run games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile decently on medium settings. Don't expect pro-level performance for video editing, but for the price, it's perfectly capable. Our benchmarks show it's weakest in productivity tasks, scoring just 43.4 out of 100, so heavy multitasking with lots of split-screen apps will push its limits.

At $145, this iPad is a steal. It's significantly cheaper than the iPad Air or any iPad Pro, and it undercuts most comparable Android tablets from Samsung and Lenovo. You're getting the core iPad experience for a fraction of the price. The main trade-off is that you're buying into slightly older tech, like the Lightning port and Wi-Fi 5. But if your budget is tight and you want a reliable tablet for the basics, the value here is hard to beat.

Let's name names. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+, this iPad has a weaker chip and a lower-resolution screen, but iPadOS is generally smoother and has better app support than Android on tablets. Next to a Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, you lose out on screen size and potentially a USB-C port, but you gain Apple's polish and accessory ecosystem. The biggest competitor might be a used or refurbished newer iPad. For a bit more money, you could find an iPad with a USB-C port and a newer chip. But if $145 is your hard ceiling, this is the best new Apple tablet you can get.

So, should you buy it? If you need a no-fuss tablet for streaming, reading, and light web browsing, and you want to stay under $150, this iPad is an easy recommendation. It's the perfect 'first tablet' or a great secondary device for the couch. But if you plan to do serious work, need lots of storage, or want the latest ports and connectivity, you should save up for a more modern model. For its intended use as an entertainment hub, it does the job very well.