Ipad Air Vs Ipad Pro Vs Ipad 9Th Gen

Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music

Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video or listening to music

iPad – Compare Models

Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music

Up to 10 hours of surﬁng the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music

The iPad Is the Best Tablet

But those new features come with a big jump in price, and Apple is still selling the great 9th-generation iPad , which is familiar, affordable, and offers plenty of power for most people. All iPads share an unbeatable selection of apps, stellar hardware quality, long battery life, and unrivaled customer support. It also finally moves the entry-level iPad to USB-C and removes the Lightning port, but Apple has taken the headphone jack and Home button with it.

Luckily you can still use Apple’s best accessories, like the second-generation Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio, with the Air, and that makes it a great tablet for someone who is willing to spend some more cash for a better experience but might gawk at the price tag of an iPad Pro.

Best iPad for 2023: Navigating the Apple Tablets to Consider

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Also, iPadOS is no closer to replacing your Mac, although Stage Manager’s external monitor support offers a little more multiscreen multitasking. Whichever model or screen size you go with, all the current iPads support the latest version of iPadOS (a version of iOS specifically for iPads) and either the first- or second-gen Apple Pencil — though the most recently released 10th-gen model’s Pencil support is less than elegant. Apple is supporting external monitors as an extended desktop for iPads with an M1 chip or better via a software update to iPadOS 16 that’s coming later this year, but the feature, called Stage Manager, remains buggy and feels experimental.

No matter what iPad you buy, there are ways of connecting keyboard cases, Bluetooth and otherwise, although your options will vary. That’s good news for anyone who wants to do more than stream videos and music, browse websites and play Apple Arcade games. Last year’s entry-level model is less expensive than the newer 10th-gen iPad, and is still very functional: Its older A13 chip and Lightning-charger-equipped, Touch ID home button design all feel somewhat out of date but work fine. Its best feature, though, is a repositioned front-facing camera that finally centers video chats properly in landscape mode, which is how most people use their iPads when they’re connected to keyboard cases. It adds an M1 processor similar to that of the iPad Pro from 2021, a 5G option, and a Center Stage front-facing camera. It doesn’t have the better-placed front camera of the 10th-gen iPad, but supports Pencil 2 and has a better processor and display. The only points where it lags compared to the 11-inch Pro are a slightly slower processor, that new Pencil 2 hover support, and faster connectivity. But keep in mind that the 2021 iPad Pro, if it’s on sale for less, is the better buy: It has a faster-refresh display, better rear cameras, Face ID/lidar and a faster Thunderbolt USB-C port.

The iPad Pro lineup are still the only models with faster 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a step-up Mini LED HDR display on the 12.9-inch model, Face ID and depth-sensing lidar cameras and a faster Thunderbolt 4 port. Along with the new processors, the iPad Pros have better Wi-Fi 6E and faster 5G mmWave connectivity, Face ID cameras on the front and dual cameras and lidar depth sensors on the back, 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a Mini LED Liquid Retina XDR display on the 12.9-inch model, a higher-speed Thunderbolt USB-C port, and a new proximity-based Pencil hover feature that could be used to show previews of art tools on compatible apps. iPad 2022 10.9-inch (10th gen) iPad Air 2022 10.9-inch (10th gen) iPad Pro 2022 11-inch (fourth gen) iPad Pro 2022 12.9-inch (sixth gen) Display resolution 2,360×1,640-pixel resolution 2,360×1,640-pixel resolution 2,388×1,668-pixel resolution 2,732×2,048-pixel resolution Pixel density (pixels per inch) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina, True Tone) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina True Tone) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina True Tone with ProMotion) 264 ppi (Liquid Retina XDR True Tone with ProMotion) Rear camera 12-megapixel f1.8 wide 12-megapixel f1.8 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide Video recording 4K at 60fps 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps; 1080p slo-mo at 120 or 240fps 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 1080p at 24, 30 or 60fps (ultrawide) 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 1080p at 24, 30 or 60fps (ultrawide) FaceTime front-facing camera 12-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide; 1080p video 12-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide; 1080p video 12-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video 12-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video Processor A14 Bionic M1 M2 M2 Dimensions 9.8×7.1×0.3 inches 9.7×7.0x0.2 inches 9.7x7x0.2 inches 11×8.5×0.3 inches Weight 1.05 lbs. (5G/LTE) Battery Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular Headphone jack No No No No Connector port USB-C; Apple Smart Connector USB-C; Apple Smart Connector USB-C with Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 support USB-C with Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 support Apple Pencil-compatibility Yes; first generation Yes; second generation Yes; second generation Yes; second generation Unlock with Touch ID Touch ID Face ID Face ID Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 802.11ax; Bluetooth 5.2 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 SIM card support for cellular model Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G NR support Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G NR support Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G support (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Nano-SIM; eSIM; 5G support (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) iPad Keyboard compatibility Magic Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio Audio Two speakers Two speakers Four speakers Four speakers Capacity and price: Wi-Fi models $449 (64GB) / $599 (256GB) $599 (64GB) / $749 (256GB) $799 (128GB) / $899 (256GB) / $1,099 (512GB) / $1,499 (1TB) / $1,899 (2TB) $1,099 (128GB) / $1,199 (256GB) / $1,399 (512GB) / $1,799 (1TB) / $2,199 (2TB) Capacity and price: cellular models $599 (64GB) / $749 (256GB) $749 (64GB) / $899 (256GB) $999 (128GB) / $1,099 (256GB) / $1,299 (512GB) / $1,699 (1TB) / $2,099 (2TB) $1,299 (128GB) / $1,399 (256GB) / $1,599 (512GB) / $1,999 (1TB) / $2,399 (2TB)

For instance, even if I could do my job on an iPad Pro (and it’s not even close), in order to access some corporate locations I have to run the VPN, which is only available on company-issued systems. Adobe Lightroom is a fine “light” Lightroom, but Adobe intended it from the start to be mobile-first, and thus lack some features important to professionals, including wired tethered shooting, optimization for local file storage (rather than cloud) and the ability to intelligently handle raw plus JPEG.

We usually expect new iPad models in the spring and the fall, although Apple has shifted those time frames in the past.

iPad Air (2022) vs 9th gen iPad (2021)

At a Glance Our Verdict If you want crazy levels of performance, pretty colours, and a clean modern design that’s close the Pro models, then the Air lets you have that on a (relative) budget. For most people though, the price increase of the Air in recent years will make it a bit out of reach, and that’s fine because the 9th gen iPad (from 2021) is still on sale and it’s a great, reliable device that will still leave you with some change in your pocket. Thanks to Apple giving the Air a major redesign in recent years, it’s quite easy to tell these two devices apart just by looking at them. Because there is no Face ID there is no requisite notch, leaving the Air with an uninterrupted 10.9in display.

You get stereo speakers on the bottom edge of the iPad (2021), while its more expensive sibling is blessed with the same, but on both ends. The Air’s offering is also fully laminated, meaning there is no air-gap between the glass panel and the digitiser underneath, so you feel like you’re touching the actual pixels. The iPad Air (2022) does have an anti-reflective coating and has a higher range of colours, but again these are quite marginal gains, especially when you consider the price difference. Apple recently upgraded the Air to incorporate the M1 processor, which is the same one that powers the iPad Pros and some Macs. But, if you want to get into digital art, play graphically intensive games or just have a really powerful device that should last for years, then the Air certainly makes a compelling argument for itself.

Storage options are the same on both devices, with the most affordable model coming with 64GB (which feels a little tight in the modern age), or for an increase in price you can move up to a far more spacious 256GB. Quick tip: If you intend to use the cameras on the Air to their full extent, 64GB will run out very fast unless you also invest in iCloud storage for your photos. While we’re not the biggest fans of using an iPad as a camera, you can certainly record some decent results with either model.

The iPad (2021) comes with an 8MP, F/2.4 Wide camera on the rear, which can employ HDR for photos and capture video up to 1080p at 30fps. The front cameras are a lot closer in spec, as they both feature a 12MP, f/2.4 Ultra Wide unit that can record video up to 1080p at 60fps.

Centre Stage is another shared feature, with the clever software ensuring that you remain in the middle of any video calls even if you’re moving around. If you just want an iPad to video call the family and look good doing it, there’s nothing really to separate the two devices.

Unless you’ve upgraded your home router to a Wi-Fi 6 compatible one, then there will be little difference in speed. iPad Air (2022) iPad (2021) Display 10.9in Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 resolution, 264ppi, True Tone, Wide Colour, Fully Laminated 10.2-inch (diagonal) LED backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, 2160×1620 resolution at 264 ppi, True Tone, sRGB, Unlaminated Processor M1 A13 Bionic Storage 64GB/256GB 64GB/256GB Main Camera 12MP Wide, f/1.8, SmartHDR, Wide colour, 4K video at 60fps, Slo-mo 1080p at 240fps, Continuous autofocus, Cinematic video stabilisation, Extended Dynamic Range for video up to 30fps 8MP Wide camera, f/2.4, 5x digital zoom, HDR for photos, video recording up to 1080p at 30fps, Slo-mo 720p at 120fps, Time Lapse with stabilisation Selfie Camera 12MP Ultra Wide, f/2.4, 2x Zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina flash, Smart HDR 3 for photos, Extended Dynamic Range for video up tp 30fps, 1080p at 60fps 12MP Ultra Wide, F/2.4, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina flash, HDR for photos, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p video up to 60fps, Extended dynamic range up to 30fps, WiFi Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5 4.2 LTE 5G (sub-6 GHz) Gigabit-class GPS Yes Yes Ports USB-C, Smart Connector Lightning, 3.5mm headphone jack Biometrics Touch ID Touch ID Apple Pencil Support Gen 2 1st Gen Dimensions 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm 250.6mm x 174.1mm x 7.5mm Weight 461g (462g for cellular) 487g Colours Starlight, Space Grey, Pink, Purple, Blue Silver, Space Grey Price From £569/$599/AU$929 £319/£459

We usually recommend that you choose the model with more storage, 64GB can be a bit tight, especially if you don’t have iCloud to store photos and music and other information off device. If the extra storage is worth more to you than the faster processor and better rear camera then it makes sense to stick with the standard iPad.

Apple iPad 9th Gen Review: Low-Cost Option May Be Best Bet for Now

8.1 Apple iPad (9th gen, 2021) $249 at Amazon $330 at Best Buy $309 at B&H Photo-Video Like Better A13 processor More storage (64/256GB) Center Stage camera zooms in video chats Center Stage camera zooms in video chats Works with older keyboard cases Apple is likely to make refreshes across the lineup next year, which is why I recommend waiting on buying any iPad at all.

While Apple’s 10th-gen basic iPad has USB-C, a better processor, a larger screen, better-positioned front camera, newer keyboard case options, and it works with the newer low-cost Pencil introduced recently, it’s also more expensive. Until we know what 2024’s models might be, I lean towards recommending the least-expensive iPad (which is the 9th-gen) for kids and anyone who wants a basic tablet.

It’s inexpensive but still versatile: This iPad works with the Apple Pencil for sketching (although it’s the first-gen Pencil) and with keyboard cases (although not the Magic Keyboard), and has a big enough screen to feel laptoplike (unlike the Mini, which is lovely but expensive and for me, too small). And the front-facing camera is still stuck on the side in landscape mode, which is how you’ll have it set up for laptop-style use. You’ll notice that when you launch video chat on the new iPad, it’ll start zooming in on your face. That’s Center Stage, a feature that leans on the wider-angle iPad front-facing camera to zoom in during calls. In general, Center Stage is a useful tweak to the video chat experience, especially from a distance with families. But Apple’s built-in Camera app doesn’t take advantage of it, oddly.

One note: On my review iPad I found a few times that Center Stage made FaceTime calls seem to stutter. And its front camera is notably better: crisper for video calls, with a digital-zoom face-following Center Stage mode that works with Zoom, FaceTime and other apps, making it a better family video-chat screen from a distance.

The front camera went from a 1.2 megapixels to a 122-degree wide-angle 12 megapixels, which makes a real difference, and also lets that camera zoom in using Center Stage without losing effective resolution.

Yes there’s glare, but the 10-inch iPad splits the difference between portability and laptop-type stuff. The iPad Mini costs more, lacks the same keyboard support and is probably too small. The iPad Air has a faster M1 processor, and I personally love its design, but it’s a more expensive proposition.

And the iPad Pro models (expected to get major upgrades in 2024) are in a totally different price tier. There’s still no perfect iPad right now, and in the meantime I’d opt for the cheapest option until things maybe settle down a bit more in the future.