por Wondering which iPad is best? We discuss iPad sizes, processor speeds, price tags and more in our iPad buying guide.
It’s true that Apple currently has many options and it can be confusing. There are four different varieties of iPad, listed below, and each is available with or without cellular (including 5G on certain models), which costs extra. That’s before we get into storage capacity, colors, and second-hand alternatives.
Every iPad Apple sells
The different models of Apple’s iPad is perhaps one of the broadest product lines presented by the company, and the most in demand thanks to all the possibilities it has for work and studies.
First of all we are going to talk about the iPad 9th, which represents the cheapest iPad option from Apple. The cheapest iPad is actually the 9th generation model that launched in 2021 and offers a 9.2-inch screen. This is the only iPad to offer a home button. It continues to be sold by Apple, since it is a really good option and at a cheaper price.
The 9th-gen iPad runs on Apple’s A13 Bionic, which is the same SoC used in 2019’s iPhone 11 series. It won’t be as fluid or futureproof as the M1, but it’s plenty quick for casual tasks.
A 10th generation iPad launched in October 2022 features, among other things, a larger 10.9-inch screen. In the most radical shake-up of a more affordable iPad in years, this Apple slate comes in four vibrant colours – blue, pink, yellow, and silver –
It’s for anyone who wants an iPad with a more playful design and better specs than the basic model, but without the need for the powerful M1 or M2 chips in the Air or Pros.
- Striking 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
- A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU
- 12MP Wide back camera
- Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6
- USB-C connector for charging and accessories
The iPad Air 5th gen (2022) may sit in the middle of Apple’s range, but it’s far from the awkward middle child. This model packs in all the main features of the Pro models at a more sensible price. It’s also got an M1 processor, making it a more powerful option than the iPad mini.
The versatile USB-C port makes it more capable when connecting to card readers, external storage or displays, and we like how it includes a fingerprint reader for authenticating our online shopping habits and unlocking the device.
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating
- Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine
- 12MP Wide camera
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Up to 256GB of storage
- Available in blue, purple, pink, starlight, and space gray
- Stereo landscape speakers
Many of us just want a smaller iPad that can fit in a bag without too much trouble, and Apple has everything in mind for just this situation. Apple’s 2021 revamp of the compact model added a brighter, edge-to-edge 8.3-inch display while keeping the overall size portable. It is only about the size and weight of an ordinary paperback book, but much thinner.
It might be small but it is actually more powerful than the standard iPad thanks to it’s A15 processor, which is a generation newer than the A14 in the 10th gen iPad.
- 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color
- A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Available in purple, starlight, pink, and space gray
- Landscape stereo speakers
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6
This year’s iPad Pro comes in two sizes and a variety of capacities up to a massive 2TB. While both models have an M2 processor, the 11-inch iPad Pro is a very different proposition to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the latter of which has a superior Liquid Retina XDR display, which can support 1000 max full-screen nits, 1600 nits of maximum brightness. Both displays offer ProMotion technology, which means the refresh rate can be really high for users to experience smooth scrolling and better gaming performance.
- Brilliant 11-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide back camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi 6E
- USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4
- Face ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
All justneko recommended products are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publication.
iPads are a great investment for several reasons. They offer a versatile range of features, from productivity tools to entertainment apps. The build quality is excellent, and they often receive software updates for many years, ensuring longevity. Whether you’re using it for work, creativity, education, or simply entertainment, an iPad can be a valuable and reliable device. Plus, the wide range of available apps and accessories enhances its functionality, making it a versatile and worthwhile investment.
