Apple iPad 10.9" 2022 Review
The 2022 iPad is a capable media machine with a great screen, but its 4GB of RAM is a real bottleneck for anything beyond basic tasks. At a renewed price, it's a solid deal for casual use.
Overview
The 2022 iPad is Apple's entry-level tablet, and it's a solid one. You get that classic iPad feel with a modern 10.9-inch screen and USB-C, all for a decent price, especially if you're looking at a renewed model around $460.
It's built for basics. The A14 chip is still plenty fast for streaming, browsing, and light games. The screen is sharp, and the battery gets you through a day. But it's not a powerhouse, and Apple's made some weird choices with the accessories.
Performance
Performance is good for the basics. The A14 Bionic chip lands in the 79th percentile, so apps open fast and scrolling is smooth. It's not going to handle heavy video editing or complex 3D games, but for everything else, it's fine. The real bottleneck is the 4GB of RAM, which is in the bottom third of all tablets. You'll notice apps reloading more often if you multitask. Battery life is middle-of-the-road, scoring in the 48th percentile, so it's just okay.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp for movies and shows. 95th
- The A14 chip is still very capable for everyday tasks. 82th
- USB-C is a welcome upgrade over the old Lightning port. 81th
- Renewed models offer great value, as many customer reviews confirm. 81th
Cons
- Only 4GB of RAM holds back multitasking.
- It still only works with the awkward Apple Pencil 1st gen.
- Battery life is just average, not 'all-day' as some claim.
- Build quality on renewed units can be a gamble, with some arriving cracked.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 3 GHz |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Display
| Size | 10.9" |
| Resolution | 2360 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 |
| Cellular | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At its full retail price, it's a tough sell. But around $460 for a renewed 256GB Cellular model? That's where it gets interesting. You're getting a capable Apple tablet with a great screen and modern connectivity. Just know you're buying into Apple's ecosystem on a budget, which means some compromises, like that Pencil situation.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the competition and its role is clear. The iPad Pro is in another league for power and has a much better screen, but it costs way more. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ offers more RAM and likely better multitasking for Android fans. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a full laptop replacement. This 2022 iPad sits below them all as the affordable Apple option. It's better for media and light use than a cheap Android tablet, but it's not built for heavy productivity, scoring only 43/100 there.
| Spec | Apple iPad 10.9" 2022 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S Samsung 14.6" Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra 1TB Multi-Touch | Lenovo Idea Tab Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” - | Xiaomi Pad 7 PRO Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro Ai WiFi Version Global (No Calls | Teclast TECLAST T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 3 GHz | MediaTek 9300 | MediaTek Dimensity | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 | 3 GHz | 2.2 GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 4 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 512 | 256 |
| Screen | 10.9" 2360x1640 | 14.6" 2960x1848 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 13" 2880x1920 | 11.2" 3200x2136 | 13.4" 1920x1200 |
| OS | iPadOS | Android 14 | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 HyperOS | Android 15 |
| Stylus | false | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | true | false | false | false | false | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad 10.9" 2022 | 81.3 | 81.5 | 37.7 | 68.7 | 46.2 | 57.8 | 74.2 | 70.8 | 95.3 | 80.5 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S 14.6" 10 Ultra Compare | 72.3 | 72.9 | 90.6 | 95.6 | 95.1 | 99.8 | 96.5 | 84.9 | 96.2 | 99.3 |
| Lenovo Idea Tab Pro 12.7" 3K Compare | 43.8 | 45.4 | 74.5 | 92.2 | 94.9 | 95.7 | 74.2 | 91.7 | 96.2 | 99.3 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 13” Compare | 98.7 | 98 | 95 | 91.9 | 46.2 | 71.3 | 88.1 | 0 | 76.1 | 95 |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 PRO Pad 7 Pro Ai Compare | 81.3 | 81.5 | 84.6 | 99.2 | 46.2 | 57.8 | 88.1 | 70.8 | 56.1 | 92.5 |
| Teclast T65PLUS 13.4-Inch Android 15 Tablet 2025 Compare | 73.7 | 74.3 | 74.5 | 44.5 | 94.6 | 26.8 | 74.2 | 70.8 | 92.8 | 95 |
Verdict
Buy this if you want a nice iPad for streaming, web browsing, and light apps without spending a fortune, especially if you find a good renewed deal. Don't buy it if you need to juggle lots of apps at once or want to use it for serious work. It's the best tablet for casual Apple users on a budget.