Apple has just updated its two high-end tablets: the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. While the entry-level iPad didn’t receive an update, the company also lowered the price. And of course the iPad mini is still there.
That’s why we thought it would be a good opportunity to take a look at the iPad range and understand what sets it apart from others. It might help you choose your next iPad if your existing iPad is so old that you can no longer get the latest updates for your favorite apps.
Entry level iPad
The 10th generation iPad, simply called “iPad,” was not updated during Tuesday’s Let Loose event. But it’s still a solid entry-level tablet with a 10.9-inch display; the A14 Bionic System-on-a-Chip, originally released for the iPhone 12 series; and a USB-C port. It is available in blue, pink, yellow and silver colors.
Previously, the iPad cost $449; Apple is now dropping the price to $349 for 64GB of storage. Upgrading to 256GB is a bit expensive as the price goes up to $499. This also means that the ninth generation iPad has now disappeared from the range.
Photo credit: Apple
The iPad Air
What is the iPad Air? The line between iPad Air and iPad Pro isn’t as clear as it used to be. But Apple’s SVP Hardware Engineering tried to define what the iPad Air is. “The iPad Air is designed to deliver advanced features of the iPad Pro and make them available at an even more affordable price,” he said.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the iPad Air is now available in two screen sizes, 11 and 13 inches. Apple is now using its M2 chip to power the iPad Air and has moved the front-facing camera so that it is now on the horizontal edge of the tablet.
The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599 and the 13-inch model starts at $799. If you choose a model that supports cellular connectivity or if you want to add more storage, the total adds up pretty quickly.
Photo credit: Apple
The iPad Pro
As the name suggests, the iPad Pro has the best components currently available. And the new iPad Pro is no exception, as it now features an OLED display and a brand new M4 chip.
Basically everything is better with the iPad Pro. There are four speakers, a lidar scanner, new adaptive True Tone flash, and a USB-C port that supports Thunderbolt 4. However, whether these features are necessary depends on your use cases and the role of your iPad in your computing world.
It’s also an expensive device: The iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model. The 13-inch version costs $1,299. And the iPad Pro doesn’t come with a keyboard or stylus included, so you often end up paying more than a MacBook Air.
The iPad mini
Apple didn’t mention the iPad mini at all, but it’s still here. With an 8.3-inch display, this device is larger than a smartphone but smaller than what is typically called an iPad.
It would have been nice to update the chip on Tuesday, but at least the iPad mini remains in the lineup.
Pencils and keyboards
Now things get a little complicated: some accessories work with some iPad models but not others.
Let’s start with the pencils. All iPads now support pens. Apple sells a basic USB-C Apple Pencil for $79 that works with all models and is the cheapest option. It attaches magnetically to the tablet, although you occasionally have to use a USB-C cable to charge it.
Photo credit: Apple
The entry-level iPad also supports the first-generation Pencil with a dongle (which doesn’t attach magnetically to the tablet). However, if you don’t have one, you should go for the basic USB-C Apple Pencil.
If you own an iPad mini, you can also buy a second-generation Apple Pencil for $129. The beauty of this device is that it supports wireless pairing and charging, as well as a double-tap shortcut for switching tools.
And if you’re about to buy a brand new iPad Air or iPad Pro, Apple has essentially updated the second-generation Apple Pencil and renamed it the Apple Pencil Pro. It’s still $129, but offers a few quality features, like the ability to open a tool palette with the stylus.
As for the keyboard, it is a bit simpler as each model has its own Magic Keyboard. The design of the Magic Keyboard Folio for the entry-level iPad isn’t as nice as the keyboard you can get with the iPad Air or iPad Pro — it’s essentially a $249 keyboard cover.
For the iPad Air and iPad Pro, the price of the keyboard depends on the size of the iPad. The Magic Keyboard for 11-inch models costs $299, while the Magic Keyboard for 13-inch models costs $349.
Of course, if you don’t plan on typing long documents on your iPad, you can just get a Smart Folio to protect the display and use it as a stand. The versatility of the iPad ecosystem makes it more flexible than a laptop.
