Apple iPad 10.2in 2019: Is it worth spending your money on?

Apple has unveiled a new 10.2in version of its original iPad that can also be used with its smart keyboard cover to make typing a breeze.

Until today the keyboard cover was only available for the iPad Pro and the recently released Apple iPad Air 2019. Even better, you can still use the tablet with the optional stylus, Apple Pencil.

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Almost the same size

The Apple iPad 10.2in is just 1cm longer than its predecessor and less than 1cm wider. It’s the same thickness and weights just 14g heavier so it’s still great to slip in your handbag and carry around with you. And it’s got great green credentials too. It’s the first-ever iPad that’s made from 100% recycled aluminium.

iPadOS

The tablet comes with Apple’s new dedicated iPad operating system, iPadOS, pre-installed. Along with a redesigned home screen, and the ability to switch between multiple apps easily, Apple also claims iPadOS makes surfing the web feel more like it does when using a computer, for example, you can edit documents in Google Docs from the web browser rather than needing to download a separate asp. Apple iPadOS will also be available as a free download to anyone with an iPad Air 2 and later, all iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.

Apple

At the same time, Apple also announced three new smartphones – the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max – along with the fifth iteration of the Apple Watch and release dates for its games subscription service, Arcade, and Apple TV+, a streaming service that hopes to rival Netflix.

Our Verdict

The new slightly larger screen and support for the Apple smart keyboard isn’t a reason to rush out and upgrade if you’ve recently purchased a previous version of the 9.7in iPad. But if you haven’t yet purchased an iPad or have an iPad 5th generation (from 2017) or older, which won’t be eligible to upgrade to iPadOS, we think it’s worth splashing out on. We’ll be putting it through its paces very soon so check back for full results.

The Apple iPad 10.2in comes in two storage capacities, 32GB or 128GG. They're priced at £349 and £449 respectively. It’s available to pre-order now and will be delivered on 30 September.