As with Velcro(R) and hook and loop or Oreo(R) or chocolate sandwich cookie, iPad and tablet are often used interchangeably because of Apple’s dominance in the tablet market. In any event, it could be difficult to keep up with the most recent iPad models given the annual release of a new iPad lineup.
Because they haven’t been replaced yet, the most recent models might not display the current year.
As of June 2022, there are five iPads available for purchase:
12.9-inch iPad Pro
11″ iPad Pro
10.9-inch iPad Air
iPad 10.2″
8.3″ iPad Mini
There are some slight differences between each kind of iPad. Which iPad you should purchase depends on a number of variables. This article covers the best and worst iPads on the market to help you determine which one is ideal for you, whether you need an iPad with greater capability or a straightforward, low-cost one.
The content is subject to potential mistakes or outdated information and should only be used as a guide, despite our efforts to confirm correctness on model specifications and comparisons (there are many).
Check out our page on the newest iPhone models if you’re looking to purchase an iPhone.
What Is The Latest iPad Release?
Let’s quickly review the specifications and features provided by the most recent iPad versions. Thus, you can select the option that suits you the most.
iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Gen and 12.9-inch 5th Gen, 2021
The newest and most sophisticated iPad is the iPa d Pro 5th Gen. Additionally, it is the greatest iPad currently on the market, and its cost reflects its Pro status. The iPad Pro 2021 models are available for immediate purchase on the Apple website.
The iPad Pro is intended for professionals and business owners, as its name suggests. Apple boasts that the 2021 iPad Pro has a 50% faster CPU and a 40% quicker GPU thanks to the new M1 Chipset, which means you can do much more with the most recent model.
You can use your iPad Air to run Microsoft Word, Photoshop CC, and other business-related programs, but the iPad Pro will perform better overall, whether or not the keyboard is connected.
Unprecedented refresh rate and display quality are made possible by the iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display and ProMotion technology. If you’re a photographer, video editor, or graphic designer, the Pro is the ideal choice for you.
The iPad Pro models from 2021 include integrated FaceID in addition to significantly upgraded unlocking and security procedures. Your peace of mind is increased by the fingerprint scanner’s oleophobic coating, which prevents finger smudges.
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes: the iPad Pro 12.9′′ and iPad Pro 11′′, both of which have screens that measure 12.9 inches.
With the exception of the display, both devices’ features and specifications are essentially identical.
Out of the two iPad Pro variants, the larger screen consistently triumphs. With great colour reproduction, superior clarity, and superb detail, it is a full Retina screen. The 12.9′′ costs $1,099, which is higher than the 11′′, which costs only $799.
Of course, if you want to save some money or are looking for something a little more portable, the 11′′ model is a good choice.
The specifications for the iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Gen (2021) device are as follows:
- Retina liquid display
- 11-inch (diagonal) M1 Chip Multi-Touch LED-backlit display with IPS technology
- resolution of 2388 by 1668 pixels at a pixel density of 264
- Wide-color P3 ProMotion technology display
- False-color display
- Sensor for an augmented reality LiDAR scanner
- Oleophobic coating that resists fingerprints
- completely laminated display
- anti-reflective coating
- Display reflectivity of 1.8%
- Maximum brightness is 600 nits.
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage are available.
- full support for the Apple Pencil
The technical details for the 12.9-inch, fifth-generation iPad Pro are as follows:
- Retina liquid display
- M1 Chip (12.9-inch), the same IPS-based Multi-Touch LED-backlit display
- Resolution of 2732 by 2048 pixels @ 264 pixels per inch
- Individual LED illumination levels using a 2D backlighting system
- ProMotion engineering
- (P3) Wide colour display
- False-color display
- LiDAR for AR Scanner
- Oleophobic coating that resists fingerprints
- completely laminated display
- anti-reflective coating
- Reflectivity of 1.8%
- a 600 nits luminance
- Options for storage are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
- full support for the Apple Pencil
The iPad Pro 12.9′′ is a big device, but it also packs a powerful punch. You might be able to utilise this tablet in place of your desktop or laptop, depending on what you need to use it for.
The most recent version of the iPad operating system (iPadOS 15.5) offers great performance and a wide range of mobile productivity apps. It’s definitely worth looking into. You will need to charge your iPad more frequently if you use it heavily due to the longer battery life of the iPad Pro.
All things considered, the 2021 iPad Pro is a powerful gadget that lives up to the iPad’s stellar reputation.
The additional power and larger screen of the Pro will work well for you as a substitute if you want a tablet that replaces your laptop as your primary computer with a keyboard.
Apple offers some excellent solutions at reasonable costs for those with more flexible requirements.
iPad Air 5th Gen (2022)
Between the regular iPad and the iPad Pro, the iPad Air occupies a medium position. Small and light in weight, it has a respectable amount of power for its stature. With 5G connection, the M1 chip featured in the iPad Pro models, and faster USB-C transfer speeds, the most recent 5th Gen. model (launched in March 2022) outperforms the preceding 4th Gen. model in terms of specifications.
The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina screen functions flawlessly, offers superb clarity, and is appropriate for both work and play.
The iPad Air costs a lot less than the iPad Pro. Even so, other than the smaller screen and reduced storage, there isn’t much of a performance difference (unless you’re playing the newest games, which can occasionally tax the Air).
The iPad Air is a fantastic, reasonably priced alternative to the iPad Pro if you don’t mind the smaller screen and diminished performance, especially since it now has the same M1 CPU! Starting at $599 versus $799, an iPad Air is around 25% less expensive than an iPad Pro.
The following details pertain to the 2022 iPad Air 5th Generation:
- Weight: Wi-Fi-only version is 461 grammes (1.02 pounds), whereas the cellular version is 462 grammes (1.02 pounds).
- 9.74 inches by 7.02 inches by 0.24 inches
- Apple’s 15th-generation iPad OS
- 10.9-inch screen size
- Chipset: M1 Chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture Resolution: 2360 by 1640 pixels at 264 PPI
- 64GB/256GB of storage
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing and video viewing, and 9 hours of cellular data browsing.
- cameras: a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide back camera with Center Stage.
We’ll presume it’s safe to say that battery life is good because reviews have stated that it’s decent, even while gaming. On average, iPad owners get roughly 9 hours of battery life per charge.
In contrast to earlier models, which had a front camera with a maximum resolution of only 7 MP or less, this one has 12 MP. During live meetings or video broadcasts, both cameras also have Center Stage, which tracks and centres you as you walk or move. As individuals in front of the camera leave or join you, Center Stage also zooms in/out.
Even modern games can run at full speed on this tiny device because to the excellent power of the M1 chipset. After all, the iPad Pro variants employ the same chip. The 4th generation iPad Air’s prior chip was the A14 Bionic.
Don’t assume the iPad Air can’t accomplish some more difficult jobs just because it isn’t as powerful as the iPad Pro. But let’s say you intend to use a tablet as your main computer, switching between using it as a tablet and a laptop by connecting it to a keyboard. In that case, you might value the larger screen and more powerful iPad Pro.
There are iPad Air 5th Gen. keyboard and case combos on Amazon.
iPad 10.2″ 9th Gen (2021)
With a regular iPad 9th generation tablet, you can’t go wrong. The most widely used iPad produced by Apple, it offers the majority of Apple consumers a great option.
It has a 10.2″ screen with vibrant graphics, quick response speeds, and outstanding colour reproduction.
The chassis fits well in your hand and displays Apple’s customary sense of style. The Wi-Fi alone device weighs only 490 grams, whereas the cellular model weighs 495 grams. A new iPad (10.2-Inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) is available for $309, making it a decent deal for what you receive despite not being as light as the iPad Air.
The regular 2020 iPad 8th Generation has the following specifications:
- Wi-Fi only weighs 487 grammes (1.07 pounds), but Wi-Fi plus cellular weighs 498 grammes (1.09 pounds).
- Size: 9.8″ x 6.8″ x 0.29″
- iPadOS 15.1 is the operating system.
- Display size: 10.2 inches
- Resolution: 264 pixels per inch, or 2160 by 1620 pixels.
- The A13 Bionic chipset
- Memory: 64/256GB
- 8 MP wide-angle and 12 MP ultra-wide-angle cameras
The basic iPad has some hardware drawbacks compared to the Air or Pro variants, such as a dated chipset. With the smooth iPadOS 15 powering the experience and the improved 12MP ultrawide front-facing camera, this tablet more than meets the challenge despite being more expensive than the rest of the iPad series.
iPad mini 8.3″ 6th Gen (2021)
For those looking for a lighter and more compact tablet, the smaller iPad Mini is fantastic. The 8.3-inch screen on this compact tablet makes it easy to hold. It’s as simple to hold as a paperback book.
Purchase an iPad mini if portability is a must. The screen is first-rate, the build quality is superb, and the battery life is likewise fantastic.
In most situations, it’s challenging to choose the iPad mini over one of the other choices outlined in this article.
iPad mini 6th generation in 2021 Specs:
- The Wi-Fi solo version weighs 293 grammes (.65 pounds), whereas the Wi-Fi + cellular version weighs 297 grammes (.66 pounds).
- Measurements: 7.69″ x 5.3″ x.25″
- iPadOS 15.1 is the operating system.
- the 8.3-inch screen
- 1536 × 2048 pixel resolution
- The A15 Bionic chipset
- 64GB/256GB of storage
- 5,124 mAh battery
- 12MP wide-angle back and 12MP wide-angle front cameras
Since the iPad mini is only marginally bigger than a phone, it will fit in some people’s hands but not others. The mini boasts good hardware, including Apple’s most recent A15 Bionic chipset, and lots of power. In addition, iPadOS 15 offers usability, a respectable battery, a fantastic Retina screen, and small, lightweight dimensions.
What iPad Model Should You Get?
This time, choosing which Apple product to purchase is a simple process. If you want power and aren’t bothered about cost, there is nothing that compares to the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is the ideal option if you have the money for it if you’re a small business owner, professional, or someone who wants to replace their laptop with an iPad.
The iPad Air is a good option if the price of the iPad is a concern for you but you don’t want to make too many sacrifices.
The smallest of the iPad models, the iPad mini is perfect for individuals who want something more substantial than a phone that supports the Apple Pencil. It provides a strong solution in a little package.
You are also covered there since Apple’s Smart Keyboard Cover is compatible with all iPads (except from the iPad Mini).
In the end, we advise purchasing the iPad Pro if you require the processing speed and screen size, but for the majority of casual iPad users, the ordinary iPad is a superb option at around a third of the Pro’s cost.
Whichever iPad model you decide on, you might wish to sketch and write on it as the iPad Pencil makes this possible. With so many great sketching and note-taking applications available in the Apple Store, graphic designers, painters, and people who prefer writing notes down rather than typing them out are all fans of the iPad Pencil.
