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Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Generation Review

A top-notch kids tablet that is jam-packed with awesome features and content that you will have to download yourself
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Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Generation Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $449 List
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Manufacturer:   Apple
By Becca Glades and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jun 29, 2023
54
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 12
  • Ready to Go Content - 20% 1.0
  • Durability - 20% 1.0
  • Battery - 20% 6.3
  • Parental Controls - 15% 9.0
  • Display - 15% 10.0
  • Camera - 10% 9.1

Our Verdict

The Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Gen is a powerful and versatile option that will grow with your child. Not designed specifically for children, the iPad isn't preloaded with kids' content, though a plethora of options are available through the App Store. Through parental controls, young users and teenagers can be catered to. However, we specifically like this tablet for older kids. Pair it with a keyboard case, and this tablet is ready to tackle the school year. Though it's a hefty investment, we find its overall functionality to be among the best.
REASONS TO BUY
Great parental controls
Compatible with Apple Pencil
Excellent display
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not durable
No preloaded kids content

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
An Excellent Choice for Older Kids
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Kid's Tablet
Editors' Choice Award
Great Choice for Younger Kids
Best Buy Award
Best Affordable Tablet
 
Price $449 List
$299.00 at Amazon
$190 List
$109.99 at Amazon
$180 List
$79.99 at Amazon
$110 List
$54.99 at Amazon
$190 List
$109.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This tablet is feature-packed and ready to tackle the school yearA durable tablet built for a kid with unlimited entertainment options and customizable parental controlsWith access to kid-friendly content and extensive parental controls, this tablet remains one of our favoritesWith extensive parental controls, this budget-friendly option will keep you kid satisfied without breaking the bankA high-performing device with loads of age-restricted, ready-to-go content and a sleek protective case geared towards older kids
Rating Categories Apple iPad 10.9-Inc... Amazon Fire HD 10-I... Amazon Fire HD 8-In... Amazon Fire 7-Inch... Amazon Fire HD 10-i...
Ready to Go Content (20%)
1
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Durability (20%)
1
9.1
9.1
9.1
4.0
Battery (20%)
6.3
9.7
9.5
9.5
9.8
Parental Controls (15%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Display (15%)
10.0
9.7
9.5
9.5
10.0
Camera (10%)
9.1
8.4
8.2
6.5
8.4
Specs Apple iPad 10.9-Inc... Amazon Fire HD 10-I... Amazon Fire HD 8-In... Amazon Fire 7-Inch... Amazon Fire HD 10-i...
Screen Size 10.7 inches 10.1 inches 8.0 inches 7.0 inches 10.1 inches
Measured Video Battery Life 344 minutes 566 minutes 570 minutes 566 minutes 589 minutes
Measured Charge Time 141 minutes 178 minutes 237 minutes 229 minutes 167 minutes
Measured Cover Front Thickness N/A 0.27 in 0.29 in 0.24 in 0.07 in
Measured Cover Back Thickness N/A 0.46 in 0.42 in 0.42 in 0.23 in
Resolution 2360 x 1640 1920 x 1200 (224 ppi) 1280 x 800 HD IPS 1024 x 600 IPS 1920 x 1200 (224 ppi)
Storage 64 GB (tested) or 256 GB 32 GB 32 GB (tested) or 64 GB 16 GB or 32 GB 32 GB
Expandable with MicroSD No Expandable up to 1 TB Expandable up to 1 TB Expandable up to 1 TB Expandable up to 1 TB
Camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front, 12MP Wide rear 5 MP front and rear-facing 2MP front, 2MP rear 2MP front, 2MP rear 5 MP front and rear-facing
Recommended Age N/A 3-7 3+ 3+ 6-12
Manufacturer Battery Life Up to 10 hours Up to 13 hours Up to 13 hours Up to 10 hours Up to 13 hours
Operating System iPadOS 16 13th Gen 12th Gen 12th Gen 13th Gen
CPU and RAM A14 Bionic chip
6-core CPU
4-core graphics
16-core Neural Engine
Octa-core 2.0 GHz with 3 GB of RAM Hexa-core 2.0 GHz with 2 GB of RAM Quad-Core 2.0 GHz with 2 GB of RAM Octa-core 2.0 GHz with 3 GB of RAM
Included Trial Content Subscription None 1 year of Amazon Kids+ 1 year of Amazon Kids+ 1 year of Amazon Kids+ 1 year of Amazon Kids+
Available Case Colors Blue, Pink, Yellow, or Silver (no case included) Blue, Pink, Disney Princess, and Disney Mickey Mouse Kid-Proof Case with built-in stand Blue, Purple, Disney Princess, and Disney Mickey Mouse Kid-Proof Case with built-in stand Red, Blue, or Purple Kid-Proof Case with built-in stand Happy Day, Mint, or Nebula
Included Case Material Case not included Foam Foam Foam Foam

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Apple iPad 10.9 10th Gen is among the most versatile in our lineup. This is a standard iPad, so it doesn't come preloaded with kid-specific content. However, the App Store has plenty of options for children of all ages. It's great for any kiddo, but we specifically like it for the older ones. This tablet is a great tool for educational purposes and will grow alongside your child.

Performance Comparison


apple ipad 10.9-inch 10th generation - the large screen on the ipad makes watching videos and movies a...
The large screen on the iPad makes watching videos and movies a breeze.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ready to Go Content


The Apple iPad doesn't come with any kid-specific preloaded content, as it is not primarily designed for children. However, it does come loaded with general Apple apps, such as the App Store, Camera, and Weather. The App Store is where you'll find a wide variety of child-friendly apps, games, TV shows, and movies. It's important to set up parental controls before allowing access to the App Store, as without restrictions, children will have access to all content. Once parental controls are in place, only age-appropriate options will be shown.


Because the iPad lacks preloaded content, it didn't score too well in this metric. But it's worth noting it can still be an action-packed option. We specifically like this for older kids and teenagers. This powerful tablet can do quite a bit on its own. Add a keyboard, and it replaces the need for a laptop. Though a hefty investment, it's still quite a bit cheaper than most laptops, and many teens are now required to be virtually connected for school. With iMessage and internet access, messages can be sent back and forth between Apple products. For parents with iPhones, this could be an easy way to reach your kid.

Upon setting up the iPad, it'll ask if it's for you or your child...
Upon setting up the iPad, it'll ask if it's for you or your child. Then, you'll be able to setup the parental controls.
Some of the great content that is available through Apple includes...
Some of the great content that is available through Apple includes kid-friendly books.

Durability


The Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Gen is not as durable as some dedicated kids' tablets. It doesn't come with a case, and its large screen feels rather delicate, especially when considering young hands. To ensure its protection, we recommend purchasing a case right away to minimize the risk of accidental damage. Plenty of options are available, including kid-specific cases and screen protectors.


We didn't feel too comfortable dropping this tablet from waist-high or really any distance at all. Should any damage occur, Apple offers a limited 1-year warranty, and additional coverage can be obtained through Apple Care for added peace of mind.

apple ipad 10.9-inch 10th generation - a case isn't included with the ipad, so you might want to purchase...
A case isn't included with the iPad, so you might want to purchase one, especially if it's in the hands of a young one.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Battery


To test the device's battery life, we streamed a 4K video of sea creatures that lasted 11 hours. We set a camera on the tablet to note exactly when it died. Then, we plugged the tablet in to charge, noting when it powered back on. Then, we timed it to see how long it took to achieve a full charge.


During our testing, the iPad lasted for 5 hours and 44 minutes when streaming a video continuously. It automatically turned on at 1% battery, doing so rather quickly. Recharging the iPad to full battery capacity took approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. Keep in mind that battery life may vary depending on usage, and it may be possible to achieve longer battery life for tasks other than continuous 4K video streaming. While the battery performance may be enough for day-to-day use, it falls slightly short compared to other tablets on the market.

apple ipad 10.9-inch 10th generation - the ipad is easy to use and operate. a fingerprint id button in the...
The iPad is easy to use and operate. A fingerprint ID button in the top corner can be set to anyone. So, if you don't want your kiddo sneaking in, set it to yourself.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Parental Controls


Once you become familiar with using parental controls, they offer a vast selection of customization options. You can set “downtime” periods when the iPad cannot be used, along with specific time restrictions for certain app categories. The controls allow for duration limits, age restrictions, and content filters suitable for different age groups, ranging from under 5 to 18 years old. Additionally, you can manage browser restrictions or opt for an unrestricted browser. Schedules can be created along with daily time limits for specific categories of apps. When the time limit is reached, a notification pops up on the screen, and the child can request an additional 1-15 minutes or choose to ignore the limit altogether. However, a PIN is required to grant additional time. The parental controls cover a wide range of aspects, including apps, books, TV shows, movies, music videos, web content, Siri searches, and more. It's worth noting that since the iPad is a regular tablet, the parental controls can be turned off for adult usage as well, offering flexibility for the entire family.


We particularly like this tablet for older kids and teens. However, there is plenty available for younger kids too. Simply set specified age restrictions to whoever is using the tablet. This also includes web browsing. When trying to access 18+ sites like gambling pages, we weren't successful.

Downtime schedules can be created for every day of the week, which...
Downtime schedules can be created for every day of the week, which allows you to set periods where the tablet cannot be used.
When the time limit is reached, the child has the option to request...
When the time limit is reached, the child has the option to request more time from the parent.
Through the parental controls, website and app limits can be...
Through the parental controls, website and app limits can be specified individually based on its category.

Display


The Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Gen boasts an excellent display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels. The screen measures 10.7 inches, providing ample space for gaming or TV watching. The retina display delivers clear, crisp images and vibrant colors. The tablet runs smoothly without lag or processing issues, making it an excellent option for schoolwork, games, and reading.


Among the most impressive features is the compatibility with the Apple Pencil, which is sold separately. Paired with the iPad, this magic pencil glides effortlessly across the screen for writing and drawing. Plenty of apps are available to let your kids' creativity run wild. The bright, interactive screen will clearly show off the artist's work. It should be noted the 10th Gen iPad is only compatible with the 1st Generation Apple Pencil and requires an adapter.

apple ipad 10.9-inch 10th generation - the ipad has an incredible display. the colors are bright and the...
The iPad has an incredible display. The colors are bright and the images are clear. The large screen is great for watching a show.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Camera


When testing the tablet's cameras, we thought like a kid, taking photos of whatever seemed fun. Specifically, we aimed at backlit bowls of fruit, took shots in the near dark, and posed for plenty of selfies. The 10th Gen iPad blew us away with its performance.


The iPad features a 12MP ultra-wide front camera and a 12MP wide rear camera, both of which deliver impressive performance for a tablet. The cameras excel in capturing crisp and bright photos, even in challenging lighting conditions such as low-light and backlit situations. The camera is easily accessible and user-friendly, allowing kids to explore their creativity through photography. With the addition of the 1st Gen Apple Pencil and Markup, kids can get creative by drawing on top of them.

Even in this dark room, we can see nearly everything thanks to the...
Even in this dark room, we can see nearly everything thanks to the impressive iPad camera.
The iPad's kitchen photo was clear and crisp.
The iPad's kitchen photo was clear and crisp.

Should You Buy the Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Gen?


It's no secret the Apple iPad 10.9-Inch 10th Gen is pricey. However, we think the investment is worth the years of use. It's versatile enough for the whole family to use. So, when the kid's time limit is up, use it to watch your own favorite shows or browse the web. For younger children, we recommend an option that is more user-friendly and durable. We are afraid to let the iPad go tumbling, which is a frequent occurrence in young hands.

What Other Tablets Should You Consider?


For younger users, we particularly like the Amazon models, which include the Amazon Fire 7 Kids, Amazon Fire HD 8-Inch Kids, and the Amazon Fire HD 10-Inch Kids 2023. These models are equipped with advanced parental controls that are similar to the iPad's. They come preloaded with content and are available at a variety of price points.

Becca Glades and Austin Palmer
 

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