I just land up quiz thenew entry - horizontal surface iPad , and so far , I am reasonably impressed by the tablet . You ca n’t get a better note value than this slate for $ 349 . From the external computer hardware to the entrails , there is scarce any option from the Android side that can deliver a higher-ranking experience .

This twelvemonth , Apple extradite a couple of surprises , in gain to the expected chip shot ascent . You now get twice the warehousing for the same ask , and the RAM has also been chance up . In a nutshell , it ’s faster , best at multi - tasking , and without any store head ache , even if your budget is squiffy .

Apple , however , has n’t fixed the software position with iPadOS , which extend to bother with its fair plowshare of quirks in tow . This year , however , the computer software gulf is even wide of the mark between the baseline iPad and every other tablet in Apple ’s portfolio . Stage Manager has been the prominent differentiatorso far , but in 2025 , we have another cryptical chasm .

A good riddance with AI

A lot has been written about Apple ’s AI stack , andnot needs in a positive light . Google hasprogressed to the Gemini eraon Androidand Chrome OS . Amazon hasentered the reproductive AI era with Alexa+ assistant . The the likes of of ChatGPT , Claude , and Perplexity are promptly go forth as a new breed of far more capable virtual help .

Siri , on the other handwriting , has been a sore drone . The situation is so forged that the capabilities paraded at last year ’s developer event areyet to ship , and now , the online marketing material has been accordingly scrubbed off . As per Bloomberg , we are in for a long wait , one that could extend well until 2027 .

As a stop - interruption , Apple has offloaded things toChatGPT via a clever integration . It has n’t quite delivered any revolutionary leap yet . I had abetter experience putting Gemini everywhere on my iPhone , from the abode page to the Lock Screen gadget . And it works better than I expected .

But at $ 349 , I am not complaining , neither am I clamor for a turbocharged Siri . Or the entire Apple Intelligence bundle , for that thing . It ’s a resourcefulness load . You call for an A17 Pro processor ( or an M - serial publication chip ) at the very minimum and 8 GB of RAM . The entry - level iPad can yield neither .

The iPad ’s core audience does n’t wish about the AI push-down storage either , certainly not at that ask price . TheiPad minisupports Apple Intelligence , and look where the request toll has landed . Hint : $ 150 more than the iPad . Has AI transform it into a better little tablet ? For the most part , no !

Apple ’s $ 349 tablet is targeted at an audience that require to ascertain videos , take it to school for note - taking , roleplay a few game , and then call it a Clarence Day . It excels at all those parameters . It will exceed your expectations at even demanding game , and with good constancy than top - tier up Android phones .

AI is not decease to add anything meaningful in those scenarios . I am glad that Apple chose to skip the “ AI burden ” hardware and kept the iPad ’s Leontyne Price in a territory where it remains accessible for mass who want the key signature Apple tablet experience . In that heed , the 2025 iPad is a huge winnings .

The weird stylus deal

Now , where do I start on this one ? permit ’s start with the style . This one keep going only the first - gen Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil with USB - C. Look at the trope above , and you will realize just how cumbersome it is to live with that stylus , its awry charging situation , and a prone - to - lose USB - C adapter .

The Apple Pencil USB - C model ? Well , it costs $ 80 . You ca n’t apply the second - gen Apple Pencil that charges wirelessly , nor the Apple Pencil Pro , with the 2025 iPad . That also means losing out on next - gen feature such as pressure sensibility , bbl persona , haptic feedback , and regain My support . Plus , they are pricey , too .

It make small mother wit to spend 37 % of the tablet ’s sticker cost on a stylus , either way . Will Apple launch a stylus that ’s cheaper to match the iPad ’s niche ? Unlikely . Is there an option ? Definitely . Look no further than theESR Geo Digital Stylus , which costs a mere $ 30 , but evenputs the $ 130 Apple Pencil Pro to disgrace .

It has a fantastic build quality , magnetic attachment , a neat multi - function button at the top , and offers a fluid sketching experience . The best part ? You even get the support for feel My trailing , a perquisite you wo n’t even get on the second - gen Apple Pencil , which costs nearly four times as much .

A terrible keyboard situation

Now , let ’s move on to the keyboard situation . TheMagic Keyboard Folio is wonderful . It also costs $ 250 , which is roughly two - thirds of the tablet ’s market deserving . It ’s a great kit , but a terrible time value , especially for budget - witting shopper who are find fault the iPad over an Air or Pro for a grounds .

The problem is not just the cost . Apple serve a functionally worse bundle at a high premium . Take for exemplar the Logitech Combo Touch keyboard sheath for the iPad . It offers a pencil holder , all - side bumper protection , and more importantly , a backlit keyboard for just $ 149 .

At $ 249 , Apple ’s keyboard case is not backlit . Then you have the ESR Rebound Magnetic keyboard casing for the 11th gen iPad . This one basically replicatesthe far pricier Magic Keyboard with its cantilever designing , but at a grim price than even Logitech .

For an even little striking on the wallet , the ESR Ascend keyboard case replicate the Magic Folio keyboard design , but with side protection , a pencil slot , and a backlit keyboard facility . It ’s almost as if Apple is oblivious to the iPad ’s sticker monetary value and fair game audience , and huckster them accessories at a cost that make no sensory faculty .

iPadOS needs some attention, too

IPadOS is fluid , and the app ecosystem is fantastic , as well . gambling is another area where the iPad excels over Android tablets . But the superiority of app experience over Android is mostly limited to in - house software package , or a choice few third - company apps . For the continue part , the iPadOS experience is notoriously rigid .

Some of the Earth ’s most popular apps are not optimized for the iPad . Take for illustration Instagram , WhatsApp , Threads , and Bluesky . You ’re either stuck with a terrible overstretched expression , or ugly pillarboxing . Android , on the other hand , has arise a portion more flexible with aspect proportion and resolution adjustment .

you may even force full - screen scene for apps where you really want them to traverse across the whole screen . windowpane resizing is absurdly limited on iPadOS , even with Stage Manager enabled . The back gesture in apps is also inconsistent in iPadOS and remains a painful working rough-and-tumble .

Is it a swipe , or should I look for a back push in a recess , or should I spread a side window ? permit ’s just admit it . Android ’s worldwide edge gesture are far superscript , and most importantly , a circumstances more reliable . Apple has done a decent business of optimizing keyboard shortcuts for iPadOS , much good than the fragmented Android ecosystem , but it needs to restore the touch - based navigation experience .

The software experience does n’t postulate a massive renovation . All it require is a few working betterment at the very foundations of human - political machine interaction . Apple has the resources to pull it off . It ’s just a matter of loyalty , and paying regard to the community feedback .