Just answer a few questions regarding the model and condition, and we will provide an estimated trade-in value◊◊ or a simple way to recycle it for free if it’s not eligible for credit. If you buy online and choose to pay with Apple Card Monthly Installments, we’ll instantly apply your estimated trade-in value to the purchase of your new iPad.
What’s the Best iPad to Buy in 2023?
Apple has a great set of tablet-focused apps, an easy-to-use operating system, and an excellent service and support structure. It has the same basic design as the Pro and supports the newer second-generation Apple Pencil, but costs hundreds less. Fits existing iPad cases and keyboards Light and easy to carry CONS Battery life could be longer Battery life could be longer No millimeter-wave 5G support SPECS Name Value Operating System iPadOS 15 Dimensions 9.74 by 7.02 by 0.24 inches Weight 1 lb Screen Size 10.9 inches Screen Resolution 2,360 by 1,640 pixels CPU Apple M1 Storage Capacity 64 GB Battery Life 5 hours, 11 minutes All Specs GET IT NOW $587.94 Amazon $499.99 Best Buy $599.99 Apple.com Learn More Apple iPad Air (2022) Review
It also lost the outdated bezels and gained a more modern design that matches the Air and Pro models. Who It’s For This is the iPad most buyers should choose for its affordable price, solid performance, and long-term support from Apple.
Improved speakers Faster performance CONS Higher price than previous model Loses traditional Touch ID button No Face ID SPECS Name Value Operating System Apple iPadOS 16 Dimensions 9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches Weight 1.1 lb Screen Size 10.9 inches Screen Resolution 2,360 by 1,640 pixels CPU Apple A14 Bionic Storage Capacity 64 GB Battery Life 5 hours, 59 minutes All Specs GET IT NOW $349.99 Amazon $349.00 Best Buy $399.00 Walmart Learn More Apple iPad (10th Generation, 2022) Review Creators who need to run multimedia editing and producing apps, as well as those who want a powerful and lightweight laptop replacement for use on the go. Accessories add up quickly Awkward front camera placement SPECS Name Value Operating System Apple iPadOS 16 Dimensions 11.04 by 8.46 by 0.25 inches Weight 1.5 lb Screen Size 12.9 inches Screen Resolution 2,732 by 2,048 pixels CPU Apple M2 Storage Capacity 128 GB Battery Life 10 hours (est.) It supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which makes it an excellent device for taking notes. Who It’s For The mini is for those who want a smaller companion tablet that’s easier to carry around and use but still powerful enough to perform productivity tasks.
Long battery life Works with second-generation Apple Pencil CONS No multi-user option in iPadOS No multi-user option in iPadOS Pricier than previous model SPECS Name Value Operating System Apple iPadOS Dimensions 7.69 by 5.31 by 0.25 inches Weight 10.4 oz Screen Size 8.3 inches Screen Resolution 2,226 by 1,448 pixels CPU Apple A15 Bionic Storage Capacity 64 GB Battery Life 6 hours, 41 minutes All Specs GET IT NOW $399.99 Amazon $399.99 Best Buy $499.99 Target Learn More Apple iPad mini (2021) Review iPads run Apple’s iPadOS, which is essentially a tablet-focused version of iOS with split-screen multitasking.
It’s not a full-fledged desktop-style windowed OS, but younger people who aren’t used to multi-window OSes might be perfectly happy to use an iPad for chatting, gaming, schoolwork, and video editing.
It offers many iPad Pro features (a fast processor, better audio, and compatibility with the vastly better second-generation Apple Pencil) for less money. The second-gen Pencil is easier to hold because it’s not perfectly round and conveniently charges with a magnetic connector on the side of the tablet.
Apple also offers a full lineup of cases, covers, and keyboards for its iPads if you want to protect your device and extend its functionality further. Some Android tablets sell for less—even under $100—and are acceptable for basic gaming and media streaming, though not for schoolwork or productivity.
iPad (2022) vs. iPad Air (2022): Which Apple tablet is right for you?
To make matters more interesting, Apple still sells the older, ninth-generation 2021 iPad, which starts at $329. While it may not have the latest features, it remains an accessible option for people looking for a basic iPad. The 2022 iteration of the entry-level iPad brings a lot of upgrades from its predecessor, but it also starts at $449, making it $120 more than the previous model.
iPad Air 4 vs iPad Air 5: is Apple’s latest tablet worth getting?
Now that the iPad Air 5 has been out for a few months, and Black Friday is here in a few days, we should see some good price cuts on the newer model. The latest iPad Air comes in space grey, starlight, pink, purple, and blue colours, while the iPad Air 4 offers silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue.
The similarities don’t end there, with both devices getting a fully laminated, fingerprint-resistant coating and low 1.8% reflectivity. In other words, you don’t necessarily need to spend more on the iPad Air 5 if the display is your primary concern.
Since the chassis designs are so similar, it’s unsurprising that both iPad Air models come with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. In our iPad Air 4 review, we were very impressed with the all-day battery life that Apple managed to maintain despite adding tons of new features over the device’s predecessor. In our iPad Air 5 review, we were similarly impressed, although we did notice heavier battery drain when we ran more intensive tasks, like pushing its M1 chip in benchmarking apps. If you like to connect external devices – a camera or SD card reader, for instance – you’ll appreciate the extra speed of the iPad Air 5’s port. In compatible apps, this automatically crops you into the picture and adjusts the frame if you move or someone else enters the shot (we found this feature a bit creepy, as we explain in our iPad Pro 11-inch M1 review). Both the front and back camera also have more extensive video shooting options, including extra frame rate choices.
The iPad Air 5 steps things up a gear in terms of performance (Image credit: Apple) So far, the iPad Air 5 has pulled ahead in small but noticeable ways when it comes to features and its cameras.
If you’re thinking about buying either of these tablets, be sure to check out our round-up of the best iPad Air deals to see how much money you could save. They share the same chassis design (albeit with some different colours), come with the same display, and provide more or less similar battery life. It is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of performance, has a faster USB-C port, and a more feature-rich camera setup.
iPad Air 6: Potential New Features and Launch Timing [Updated]
The current iPad Air was introduced in March last year, adding the M1 chip, Center Stage on the front-facing camera, a faster USB-C port, and several new color options, but it was still a fairly minor upgrade over the previous model from September 2020. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has repeatedly said that an iPad Air update this year with a minor “spec bump” is not out of the question, suggesting that the upgrade will be fairly iterative, targeting several small but significant areas. A minor spec bump is also likely to include upgrades to the front and rear cameras, potentially bringing features like Photonic Engine to the iPad for the first time. While a refresh to add the M2 chip is certainly possible in 2023, it may be more probable that Apple will again wait two years to update the device and target 2024 for a more worthwhile upgrade.
More strikingly, on a September episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, Mark Gurman said that there is a new iPad Air with improved specifications in the works and the device is apparently “coming soonish,” likely this month.
iPad Air
It features a slim design that makes it easy to carry yet still offers plenty of power, and the Retina display provides vibrant images.
Amazon.com: Apple iPad Air (5th Generation): with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Purple : Electronics
I had hoped to wait until after the New Year to update to a new model — old one was still working well enough… But, darn it all if Amazon didn’t take 8O.$ off the price and neatly offer their deal as an early, Black-Friday option. If you are unsure about not having the home button, or concerned an older family member might not have a good experience without the familiar setup, you can make one using the accessibility settings and place it anywhere on the screen you like.
Do not hesitate to pay a smidge more for the Air as the tablet itself is well made, beautiful and good enough to replace a laptop when paired with a keyboard and mouse.
Apple iPad Air
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and iPad Air (5th generation) – US English – Black ( iPad Not Included )
Apple iPad Air 10.9-inch Wi-Fi Only (2022, 5th Generation)
With an immersive 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display.¹ The breakthrough Apple M1 chip delivers faster performance, making iPad Air a creative and mobile gaming powerhouse. Featuring Touch ID, advanced cameras and Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, and support for Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd generation).² • 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display¹ with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating • iPadOS 15 is uniquely powerful, easy to use, and designed for the versatility of iPad
When measured diagonally as a rectangle, the iPad Air screen is 10.86 inches.
iPad Air : Should You Buy? Reviews, Features, Deals and More
The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display with a 2360×1640 resolution, 3.8 million pixels, and a design that’s similar to the iPad Pro with an aluminum chassis that has flat, rounded edges that wrap around the fully laminated display. True Tone support is included for adjusting the display to match the ambient lighting, as is P3 wide color, 500 nits brightness, and 1.8 percent reflectivity. The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, along with 8GB RAM and a 16-core Neural Engine. The iPad Air ships with a 20W USB-C adapter for charging purposes.
The best iPad to buy
I’ve spent years using various iPads for both entertainment and work and have tested all of the current and recent models to know what they are best suited for. Out of the box, any iPad provides an excellent portable video or movie-watching experience; access to a wide array of apps and games through the App Store; the ability to read ebooks, documents, and web articles on a bright comfortably sized screen; and communicate via email, messaging services, or video calls. Apple also has a strong track record of supporting the iPad for many years with software updates, so even older models can benefit from the majority of new features.
That means you can often find excellent options on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save a lot of money and still offer an up-to-date, performant experience.
The refurbished market changes too frequently for me to make specific recommendations in this guide, so everything here is based on the new, full retail cost. But I’ve personally bought multiple refurbished iPads over the years and have never regretted not having the latest and greatest model.
Released in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air offers a bright 10.9-inch high-resolution display, extremely fast performance thanks to its M1 processor, a modern design with even bezels around the screen, and excellent speakers. It’s compatible with the same keyboard and stylus accessories as the iPad Pro, so it can work well as a small laptop-like device or digital notepad / drawing tablet. The Air comes in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, purple, gold (which Apple calls “Starlight”), and a dark gray. The iPad Air can be paired with Apple’s Magic Keyboard to turn it into a small laptop replacement for productivity work. It’s significantly larger than a phone and provides a better video-watching, reading, and multitasking experience, but it’s not nearly as large as a laptop display, so it’s easier to carry around or hold when lounging on the couch. The size makes it easy to transition from reading in portrait orientation to knocking out an email in landscape mode.
The jump to 256GB costs $150 (at Apple’s regular retail price), but it’s worthwhile if you plan to hang on to this iPad for multiple years. If you are a frequent traveler and plan to use an iPad outside of your home a lot, however, a built-in cellular connection is often faster, more reliable, and easier than using your phone’s hotspot. I’ve used an iPad Pro with built-in cellular during a long train commute for years, and it’s been worth the cost every time. The Air’s design is the same as that of the iPad Pro, with a squared-off aluminum back and sides and evenly proportioned bezels around its whole display. But when you’re holding the iPad Air in landscape orientation, the camera feels like it’s in the wrong spot, and Apple’s software tricks to correct it are not always the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this problem with its lower-tier 10th-gen iPad by moving the camera to the longer edge, but it has not yet done so for the rest of the lineup.)
The Air’s stereo speakers (one on the left and right side, when held in landscape orientation) are loud and clear and work great for movie or video watching. The Air also supports Apple’s latest Pencil ($129 retail, sometimes on sale for less) for writing and drawing, and it can magnetically snap to the side of the tablet for charging and storage.
You, as a parent, will still want it to be updated to current software and security patches, so it’s important to avoid something that isn’t supported anymore.
The ninth-gen model has the traditional iPad look, with larger bezels around the screen and a home button (with Touch ID biometric authentication). It’s clear that even Apple realizes the 10th-gen iPad isn’t quite a direct replacement for the ninth-gen model due to its significantly higher price and different features. So as long as Apple continues to sell the ninth-gen model, that is our recommendation for budget shoppers and an iPad for kids.
It works fine as a stylus for writing and drawing on the screen, but there’s nowhere to store it when you’re not using it unless you buy a third-party case, and charging it requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port, which is awkward and clumsy. In my testing, it never lagged or slowed down when I was using it, the screen is sharp and colorful, and it’s comfortable to hold for long stretches of time. The 12.9-inch Pro rewards you with a more expansive display for juggling multiple apps, especially if you use the new Stage Manager windowing feature. It also has the best screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED technology, providing searing brightness, deep blacks, and rich colors.
As a result, many iPad Pro 12.9 owners find they don’t end up taking it out of the Magic Keyboard case very often. A new feature introduced with the 2022 model allows you to preview line strokes or selections with the Apple Pencil before you put them onto the screen.
Most people do not need all of the features of the latest iPad Pro, which makes buying an older version a compelling option. At full prices, the iPad Air is a better option than the 11-inch Pro, but if you’re able to find a prior-year model refurbished or on sale, then it might be the one to go with.
The Mini provides access to many more reading sources than a Kindle, though it can’t match the battery life of Amazon’s e-reader. This is the only iPad that Apple doesn’t make a keyboard accessory for, and it’s obvious why: it’s just too small to really be comfortable to type anything of length on.
Best iPad Air deals this month
We’re looking at all the best deals and prices for the iPad Air right now–including contract plans. The Air remains incredibly popular and is an excellent halfway house between the entry-level iPad and high-end iPad Pro–ideal for those who need some extra power but don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on a device that may not replace their laptop.
Apple’s latest iPad Air (5th generation) was released more than a year and a half ago in March 2022 and from time to time we see some nice discounts on the slimline iPad.
In 2024 we are likely to see a new iPad Air, so, if you want to know what might be in store for the next generation before you spend money on the current model read all the rumors about Apple’s iPad Air 6th generation.
If you are shopping outside of the U.S. you should note that Apple increased the price of all iPads in October 2022. Read more about that here: Is Apple ripping off the rest of the world with inflated prices?
The main reason we mention this is it might make the discounts on an iPad Air look better than they are – which is why we quote the price it was as well as what it is sold for now. Just beware that some prices may be for used iPads, so pay attention to the details. Many of the best deals right now are on the 2020 iPad Air, which while not the latest model is still a great purchase, especially if you can find it for a discount. There won’t be any discounts available, though Apple does offer occasional carrier deals and trade-ins. Of course, Apple isn’t the only place you can buy an iPad Air, the usual resellers around the world will also be stocking the new model including the following. Find out if you can save money buying Apple products from another country.
University students and teachers can also save on the iPad Air with Apple’s Education pricing. EE – Get 4GB data for £42.50 per month, £100 upfront – existing customers get 10% off The iPads in Apple’s refurbished store may be ex-display stock, or they may have been returned to Apple due to a fault, but they are fully reconditioned now and come with a full year’s warranty. In the U.K. you’ll find a similar selection of iPads available from Apple’s refurbished store.
We’d recommend taking a look at these refurbished resellers for iPad Air offers:
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