The iPad 10.9 (2022) is one of the best tablets you can buy, whether you’re looking for an iPad specifically or if you’re open to any option on the market. This may be Apple’s entry-level model, but its specs and features don’t seem basic. It’s not perfect though, leaving plenty of room for improvement on the new 2023 iPad.
It’s expected to be the successor to the iPad 10.9 (2022), and based on our experience with Apple’s current model, we’ve compiled a list of things to expect from this next entry-level tablet.
We’ll also be filling this article with news and leaks as they start to appear – however, you’ll already find some educated guesses about the release date and some other details of the new 2023 iPad.
To the point
- What is this? Another entry-level iPad
- When will it come out? Probably September or October 2023
- How much does it cost? Probably around $449 / £499 / AU$749
Release date and price of the new iPad 2023
While there’s no news yet on when the 2023 iPad might launch, we can only guess as Apple has announced new entries in the lineup in September or October in recent years.
In fact, apart from the latest model, this was done in September. So September 2023 is our best guess for the launch of the new iPad 2023 – possibly alongside the iPhone 15. However, there’s a good chance we’ll see it in October 2023 instead; one or the other of these months seems very likely regardless.
We don’t know how much the 2023 iPad will cost, but it could have a similar starting price to the iPad 10.9 (2022), which starts at $449 / £499 / AU$749. On the other hand, this tablet cost more than its predecessor, so it’s possible that Apple will raise the price again.
News and leaks about the new iPad 2023
There are no leaks about the 2023 iPad yet, but we can guess a few things. First, given that Apple increased the screen size and changed the design of the iPad 10.9 (2022), we would expect both of these things to remain the same in the next model; which means a 10.9-inch screen and iPad Air-like design are likely.
However, it will almost certainly have a new chipset. Or at least newer – the current iPad uses the existing Apple A14 Bionic, also seen in the iPhone 12 lineup and the 2020 fourth-generation iPad Air, so the next model will likely upgrade to at least the A15 Bionic found in the iPhone 13.
What we want to see
As good as the iPad 10.9 (2022) can always be better, so we hope the new iPad 2023 includes some of the changes and improvements below.
1. Support Apple Pencil 2
One of the more unusual aspects of the iPad 10.9 (2022) is that it supports the original Apple Pencil rather than the newer Apple Pencil 2. This is despite the switch to a USB-C port, meaning you can’t even charge the Apple Pencil (which charges via Lightning) without an adapter.
There are reasons for this decision, but overall it seems like a bug and we hope Apple fixes it in the next model.
2. A lower price, or at least no price increases
Apple has significantly increased the price of the iPad 10.9 (2022) over its predecessor, so for the next model, we’d ideally like to see a price drop considering it’s the company’s cheapest line of tablets. At least, though, we don’t want it to rise any higher.
3. Less reflective screen
While we were largely happy with the iPad 10.9 (2022) screen, one issue we found in our review was that the lack of an anti-reflective coating meant it could get quite a bit of reflection, especially when used outdoors.
We don’t expect Apple to switch to a mini-LED or OLED screen or pack more pixels for the new 2023 iPad, but we’d like to at least be able to comfortably use it outdoors, so hopefully this model will have that coating.
4. More camera modes
Cameras are rarely a priority for tablets and this is the case with the iPad 10.9 (2022). We’re largely fine with that, but the lack of both portrait and cinema modes is noticeable and disappointing, so we’d love to see them in the new 2023 iPad.
5. Improved battery life
The iPad 10.9 (2022) has a pretty reasonable battery life, with our reviewer managing around 8-10 hours of continuous use. This is the same as most other iPads, but considering that the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) lasted over 16 hours in our tests, we think Apple could do better, considering that the tablet is not a million miles from laptop.
Even an extra couple of hours would make a difference, so we’re hoping Apple will focus on that with the next model, as it could help ensure the 2023 iPad ranks among the best iPads.