One disappointing way the iPad 2022 will be just like the original iPad
A home, home button on the iPad range
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The next iPad is rumored to launch at an event in October, and we’ve been hoping for a major redesign. One of the key changes was the expected removal of the home button, bringing the base model iPad in line with theiPad Air,iPad Pro, and just about every fancy iPhoneApplesells besides the bargain-basementiPhone SE.
New rumors suggest theiPad 2022model, the tenth generation of iPad tablet, will get a new look but will keep the familiar old button. This leak comes from a newsletter sent by Twitter leakerLeaksApplePro, available only by subscription. Presumably, this means the bezel around the screen won’t shrink too much. We’ve also heard that the sides of the device will get flattened, making it look more like theiPad Airin profile.
Our leaker also expects the next iPad will, like the more powerful iPad Pro, use USB-C. This comes from the same leak that suggested the nextiPhone 15family could use USB-C for every model. It’s entirely possible we’re at the beginning of the end of Apple Lighting on mobile devices.
The next iPad may also get support for Apple’s fanciest writing utensil, theApple Pencil 2. Currently, the Pencil 2 only works with theiPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, but not the regular old iPad. The next iPad could change that. We’ve recently seen a slip-up from Apple Crayon makerLogitechshowing support for iPad Pro models to come, but nothing indicating base model iPad support. TheLogitechCrayon Digital Pencil uses the same technology as Apple’s own Pencil stylus.
Finally, after some delay, we will see the launch ofiPad OS 16. The phone version of Apple’s mobile OS,iOS 16, arrived a few days after the iPhone 14 family was announced. We have been following the beta progress for iPad OS 16, but have not heard official news of when it would be available to the mainstream. Now it seems like iPad day will be the big day for software and hardware alike. If you want to familiarize yourself with the whole iPad family before the big launch, you can check out ourbest iPadroundup.
Analysis: An older-looking iPad should have an older-looking price tag
We won’t be hasty to dismiss this iPad just because it keeps a feature that Apple has been slowly killing on every other device it makes. Clearly, the home button has no long-term future with Apple, but that doesn’t mean this won’t be a great tablet to buy. After all, theiPhone SErepresents a powerful bargain in the iPhone family lineup, and its aging exterior belies hardy tech within. We consider it one of thebest iPhonesyou can buy.
If anything, this could mean we won’t see a huge price increase for the new iPad 2022. A major redesign that completely changes the face of the device offers more justification for Apple to jack up prices. If the new iPad looks like an evolutionary upgrade of the last model, but not a whole new beast, it may start at the same price. In this year of a huge cost of living crisis, that may be considered the most welcome feature.
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Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.
Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.
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