Before we get to recommendations, and which tablet is best for you, the summary table below can give you a clear snapshot of how current generation iPads can vary greatly in terms of price, processing power, accessory support, storage, and cellular options… This guide will help you in choosing the right iPad for you…
Should you get the $300 iPad?
Updated in late 2021, the 9th-gen iPad is powered by the A13 Bionic chip and 3GB of RAM. This tablet can easily handle iPadOS 15 and any app or game on the App Store. With a 2160x1620 resolution, its 10.2" display has the same 264ppi as the most expensive models, and uses True Tone technology to automatically adjust brightness and color temperature. The ultra-wide 12MP front camera is the same as in the current iPad Mini and iPad Air. It also supports the 1st-gen Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard. It’s a pretty solid deal for the price, but we can think of a few reasons why the basic iPad may not be enough for you… It’s the only iPad model whose display doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating, so it’s not ideal for use in direct sunlight. If you use your iPad for drawing, you will appreciate the fully laminated display and wider color gamut of the more advanced models. Other features missing from the base iPad but that are available in the rest of Apple tablets include: Bluetooth 5.0, simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi, and 5G support on the Cellular version. Also, it doesn’t support USB-C, but keeps using the Lightning connector. Another reason you may decide to upgrade is aesthetics: the basic iPad is only available with black bezels on either silver or space gray back. Black bezels are less distracting when viewing dark content, but show fingerprints more easily. The rest of the iPad lineup offer slimmer bezels, so that’s less of a problem. The iPad starts at $329 for the Wi-Fi-only version with 64GB of storage, and an extra $150 bumps up your storage to 256GB.
Should you get the iPad Mini?
At 7.7" x 5.3", the iPad Mini is one of the largest devices that most adults can comfortably hold in one hand. If you are planning to use your iPad while standing up, then it might be the most sensible choice for you. It sports the A15 Bionic chip which is nowhere near as fast as the M1 in the more expensive models, and it only has 4GB of RAM, but you won’t find anything faster in such a small package. With a 2266x1488 resolution, its 8.3" display (with rounded corners) actually has the highest pixel density of all iPads (326ppi). The Wi-Fi + Cellular version supports sub-6GHz 5G speeds, unlike the basic iPad. It also uses the same ultra-wide 12MP front camera as the current basic iPad and iPad Air. The Mini doesn’t support the Smart Keyboard, but it supports the 2nd-gen Pencil. It also has 4 color options. It starts at $499 with 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi, and for $150 more you’ll get 256GB storage.
Should you get the iPad Air?
The 5th-gen iPad Air retains the same all-screen design and 10.9" display of the previous model. With the same M1 chip of the Pro models and 8GB of RAM, it’s a top choice for 3D games, multi-tasking and even certain productivity types such as 3D modeling. For those who want to use the Air for work, it is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, as well as the 2nd-gen Pencil. If you need the Magic Keyboard’s trackpad, the Air is a no-brainer choice over the base model. Another reason to get it is if you prefer Touch ID over FaceID (used in Pro models). Like the iPad Mini, the Air’s Wi-Fi + Cellular version supports sub-6Ghz 5G speeds. It’s also the iPad with the most color options. The only reason we don’t recommend the iPad Air to video editors is the limited storage options: it starts at $599 for the Wi-Fi 64GB version, and once again, for $150 more you’ll get 256GB of storage.
Should you get the 11" iPad Pro?
The iPad Pro 11" is the choice for several types of professionals. If you are a graphic artist, drawing on a 120Hz display will be a different experience. If you are an indoor designer who wants to show your clients what their kitchen or office would look like, LiDAR is a must-have. With the same M1 chip as in the iPad Air and some MacBook Pro laptops, the iPad Pro has received more horsepower than you’re probably going to need and its USB-C connector supports USB4/Thunderbolt speeds. The Wi-Fi + Cellular version also supports sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. The bezels in the iPad Pro are slimmer than in the Air, and it’s compatible with the same accessories. You also get four speakers, and a TrueDepth ultra-wide 12MP front camera with Animoji and Memoji support. The 11" Pro starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi only version with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. For $899 you can bump up the storage to 256GB, and for $1,099 you will get 512GB. If you want 1TB or 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM, you’ll need to pay $1,499 or $1,899 respectively, which honestly sounds ridiculous.
Should you get the 12.9" iPad Pro?
If you are a video editor who works on the go, the 12.9’’ Pro might be the device of your dreams. The Mini-LED display with its 1600 nits of peak brightness (1000 for the whole screen), only has some of the most expensive laptops out there as competitors. It’s also a great backup camera, with optical zoom out, extended dynamic range (up to 30fps), audio zoom and stereo recording. Of course, it has all of the advantages of the 11" Pro except for portability.
Should you get a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad?
Adding 4G to your basic iPad will make it $130 more expensive. Adding sub-6GHz 5G to your iPad Mini or iPad Air will make it $150 more expensive, and adding 5G connectivity to your iPad Pro will make it $200 more expensive. Sure, you can turn your smartphone into a hotspot, but doing so will drain the batteries of both devices. The more expensive your iPad is, the more painful it’ll be to replace it for the lack of cellular connectivity. If you are going to buy a Pro model with 1TB or more storage, those $200 shouldn’t be a problem for you. Photo credit: Sayan Majhi, Daniel Romero, Albert Vincent Wu
