Apple and their proprietary lightning port and cable goes way back. It is the first sort of port and cable combination that is reversible. That means that you can plug your Apple device via the Lightning port in either orientation. Technically Apple’s lightning port is the first ever reversible connector for charging and data transfer purposes.
Since the introduction of USB Type-C though, most modern devices adopted the technology with no issue. It has become the most universal type of port there is today. It also looks like USB Type-C is here to stay, since they have been updating the USB Type-C cable and port for even more power delivery and data transfer capabilities. That is usually enough for organisations to sway into the USB Type-C ecosystem, except for Apple.
Apple has been reluctant to shift to the USB Type-C platform. They technically do have USB Type-C equipped devices like the Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air, but that was about it. Today, they add another device to the USB Type-C collection, the brand new 2022 iPad.
The USB Type-C is not the only new thing on the Apple iPad for 2022 though. It looks different too compared to the ones that came before. The tenth-generation Apple iPad now shares a similar design language with the Apple iPad Air and Apple iPad Pro. The unibody back and sides have a more rounded edge over the other two USB Type-C devices in Apple’s stables though.
Alongside the new body design, comes a new display layout with a thinner overall bezel. It is still a 10.9-inch tablet with Liquid Retina display. They have also updated the processor to Apple’s A14 Bionic chip that is supposed to be more powerful than the A13 Bionic before while remaining more power efficient. You still get a 12-Megapixel ultra-wide angle camera up front, which makes for excellent video calls. Out the back is a new 12-Megapixel camera though. This new camera comes with 4K video recording capabilities.
On top of the added flexibility of USB Type-C port and connection, the Apple iPad also packs Wi-Fi 6 for an even faster and more stable connection to the web. If you want to, you can also opt for the 5G capable variant for all sorts of work on-the-go. For an added versatility, you can also opt for a Magic Keyboard Folio designed specifically for the Apple iPad.
The Apple iPad also now comes in four vibrant and unique colours. You can get your hands on a blue, pink, yellow, and sliver shades. Yes, you noticed, there is no space grey option this time. There is also no home button. Your Touch ID is now moved to the power button on top of the device, near the camera.
The new Apple iPad with USB Type-C and the A14 Bionic chip is now available for pre-order in the US and select regions. It will ship out and hit stores 26th October 2022 onward in these select regions too. Malaysia’s Apple website has also started teasing the Apple iPad alongside the newly launched iPad Pro. We are expecting the device to arrive in Malaysia sometime in November 2022. The new Apple iPad will set you back at least US$ 449 (MRY 2,099*). As usual, it is only available in 64GB and 256GB storage configurations. For more information on the Apple iPad for 2022, you can visit Apple’s website.