The new iPad got a major makeover and it’s worth the extra $120

Let’s start with the upgraded design. Apple’s new iPad has a 10.9-inch screen, which is slightly larger than the last generation’s 10.2-inch display. It has flat edges, and a more squared look, similar to the higher-end iPad Air or Pro. You can say goodbye to the home button at the bottom of the screen. Instead, there is a fingerprint reader in the power button.

There are two other important upgrades: a new USC-C connector, instead of the Lightning connector, which means faster charging and transfer speeds for things like big video files.

One of the upgrades I’m most excited about is the new placement of the front-facing camera. It’s now on the long side of the tablet, instead of the short side, which should help you look more centered on the camera during video chats. It’s also more flattering.

When FaceTiming on my 2021 iPad, my eyes are constantly drawn to the side of the screen, rather than the person I’m talking to because the camera feels like it’s capturing me at an odd angle. The new placement of the iPad’s front-facing camera corrects that problem and makes it easier to focus on the person I’m trying to talk to.

The new iPad is powered by a slightly older A14 Bionic chip, but I noticed slightly faster performance and longer-lasting battery life when compared to its predecessor. Switching between apps like Safari and Pinterest for example felt smoother, and I was able to make it through an entire day of streaming and surfing the web, before needing to charge at night.

The screen was clear when I watched “Emily the Criminal” over the weekend. The picture quality in the car chase scenes was sharp and the colors were vivid, though not as bright as what you’d get on one of Apple’s higher-end iPads.

The camera on the new iPad is noticeably better. The front-facing selfie-cam was clearer for video calls when compared to last year’s iPad and my 2021 MacBook.

The new colors are also exciting and I have a feeling they’ll make this entry-level iPad more popular for the holiday season. This year’s lineup comes in red, yellow, blue and white.

The iPad I’ve been testing has 5G cellular, which costs an extra $150. If you commute or use your iPad on the go like me, it’s worth the extra cost since you can stream without being connected to Wi-Fi.

The new iPad is that it doesn’t support the latest second-generation Apple Pencil. It only works with the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is seven years old and isn’t as comfortable to use. Adding insult to injury, since the iPad now has a USB-C port instead of a Lightning connector, the older Apple Pencil requires a $9 dongle to use with this tablet.

Also, Apple sells a new $249 Magic Keyboard Folio case that has a kickstand and a multitouch a trackpad, which is useful if you need to type out some emails or get quick work done.

I don’t like this new Magic Keyboard Folio as much as the version that works with the iPad Pro because I often stream shows and keep my iPad on my lap, couch, or bed. But this case doesn’t prop up the iPad as well on soft surfaces. I found myself having to hold the iPad with one hand to keep it in place while watching shows.