As of now, the iPad offers a lot of choices for all kinds of users. Here’s our ultimate guide to choosing the iPad that is best for you.
When it comes to tablets, Android tablets have been mostly substandard, and Windows tablets are neither here nor there, making them a not-so-ideal purchase. Apple’s iPad has ruled the tablet world for a long time now.
Best iPads This Year
| MODEL | DIMENSIONS (Inches) | WEIGHT (Pounds) | DISPLAY SIZE & RESOLUTION (Inches, pixels) | CHIPSET | GET IT NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (2018) | 6.6 x 9.4 x 0.29 | 1.05 | 9.7, 2048 x 1536 | A10 |  |
| iPad Air (2019) | 6.8 x 9.8 x 0.24 | 1.0 | 10.5, 2224 x 1668 | A12 | |
| iPad Mini (2019) | 5.3 x 8.0 x 0.24 | 0.68 | 7.9, 2048 x 1536 | A12 | |
| iPad Pro (2018) 11" | 7.02 x 9.74 x 0.23 | 1.03 | 11, 2388 x 1668 | A12X | |
| iPad Pro (2018) 12.9" | 8.46 x 11.04 x 0.23 | 1.4 | 12.9, 2732 x 2048 | A12X | |
1. iPad (2018) – Best Budget Choice
This is the original iPad. The sturdy design of the lineup-leading iPad hasn’t changed much over the years, but Apple has kept it updated almost religiously, year after year. The last update came in March 2018, which is the one we are recommending as the budget champion here.
Hardware and Build
The iPad (2018) has the typical 9.7-inch IPS LCD display, which is unlaminated, running at a decent resolution of 2048×1536 pixels, with a pixel density of 264ppi. It’s running on the slightly older A10 chipset, which isn’t the fastest but is still plenty fast, especially for the price.
iPad (2018) ships with an 8-megapixel primary camera coupled with a 1.2-megapixel front camera. In terms of the build, it’s the usual aluminium unibody design, with Touch ID in the front, and quite a lot of bezels. It weighs in at around 1.05 pounds (478 g).
Variants and Pricing
iPad (2018) has variants by storage, and connectivity, i.e. Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus Cellular. In terms of storage, this iPad has options for 32GB and 128GB. The regular colour options of SIlver, Space Grey and Gold are also available.
The iPad (2018) starts at $329 for the 32GB Wi-Fi only model, and goes up to $559 for the 128GB Wi-Fi plus cellular model.
If you’re looking for the iPad experience on the cheap, this is the way to go!
2. iPad Air (2019) – The Portable Feature-rich Choice
iPad Air was the beloved child of the iPad family, but Apple had skipped updating it for a few generations. Until 2019, when Apple kept the iconic thin profile, and the thick bezels, but refreshed the display and the internals, making the iPad Air the best bet for those wanting the ultimate iPad experience on the cheap, and with ample portability.
Hardware and Build
The iPad Air (2019) has a beautiful 10.5-inch Retina display, with a resolution of 2224 x 1668 pixels, with a pixel density of 264ppi. The screen is particularly good because it supports the full P3 gamut, and has Apple’s True Tone technology — a feature that has been loved on Apple’s MacBook Pro. iPad Air (2019) runs on Apple’s latest chipset, the A12 Bionic, which is found in the latest iPhones as well.
iPad Air (2019) has an 8-megapixel primary camera and 7-megapixel front camera, which is also dubbed as the FaceTime HD Camera. The design and build of the iPad Air (2019) hasn’t changed from the older models, so it still has the big bezels, Touch ID, and the rugged Aluminium body, which holds up pretty well. The 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019) weighs around 1 pound (456 grams) despite having a larger profile than the base iPad, making it worthy of the Air title.
Variants and Pricing
iPad Air (2019) comes in a darker Space Gray, updated to match the tone of the MacBook Pros, as well as the Silver and Gold. In terms of storage options, the Air has two variants, 64GB and 265GB, both available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus Cellular models.
The iPad Air (2019) starts at $499 for the 64GB Wi-Fi only model, while the top model with 256GB storage and Wi-Fi plus Cellular connectivity model going up to $779.
iPad Air (2019) is perfect for those that want the balanced iPad experience with a dash of portability.
3. iPad Mini (2019) – The Small but Powerful Choice
The iPad Mini is another loved iPad variant that Apple hadn’t updated for quite a while. It was refreshed in 2019 along with the Air, in a similar fashion. Apple kept the design and updated the internals and the display.
Hardware and Build
The iPad Mini (2019) is the smallest iPad you can get, with a 7.9-inch display, running at a resolution of 2048×1536 at 326ppi, which is higher than the iPad and the iPad Air. The display also supports the full P3 gamut and has True Tone technology, quite like Air. The iPad Mini (2019) also runs on the Apple A12 Bionic chipset.
As you might have noticed by now, the iPad Mini shares a lot of the iPad Air’s specs, but in a smaller size. That is the case with the camera setup as well. iPad Mini (2019) also has an 8-megapixel primary camera and 7-megapixel front/FaceTime HD Camera. iPad Mini keeps its original design, which means it still has sizeable bezels, with Touch ID embedded in the bottom one. It also keeps its Aluminium body, but for the price, that’s a no-nonsense deal. The super portable iPad Mini (2019) weighs in at a mere 0.68 pounds (308.2g).
Variants and Pricing
iPad Mini (2019) has also been given the new Space Gray, along with the Silver and Gold. The storage variants are 64GB and 256GB, with the usual mix and match of Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi+Cellular, giving you a total of four models to choose from.
The iPad Mini (2019) base Wi-Fi only variant with 64GB storage will set you back by $399, while the top variant with Wi-Fi and Cellular connectivity and 256GB storage will set you back by $679.
If you’re looking for the best of everything that iPad offers but in a pocket-sized form factor, iPad Mini (2019) is the way to go.
4. iPad Pro (2018) – The Ultimate iPad Experience
The iPad has been the go-to device for creative artists like graphic designers and the like. This is exactly why Apple decided to take the iPad in the Pro direction, and the third iteration of the iPad Pro sets the lineup apart from the other models. The iPad Pro has two size variants, 11-inch and 12.9-inch.
Hardware and Build
The 11-inch variant has a 2388 x 1668 resolution display, while the 12.9-inch variant has a 2732 x 2048 resolution display, both of which run at 264ppi. These LIquid Retina displays support the full P3 gamut and have True Tone. The screens also have ProMotion technology, which means they run at 120Hz, which is twice the refresh rate of the other iPads. Under the hood is the beefier A12X Bionic chipset. The biggest change the iPad Pro (2018) brings in, is the USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector, which brings in support for a lot of new accessories.
The camera setup on the iPad Pro models has a 12-megapixel primary camera, and a 7-megapixel front camera, dubbed as TrueDepth. The front setup is complete with a bunch of sensors which facilitate the inclusion of Face ID, and other features like Animoji and Memoji. The Pro brings the iconic old iPhone design language to the iPad, with the squared edges, but incorporates it with modern features of the new iPhone, like the rounded edges of the display. The 11-inch model weighs in at 1.03 pounds (468g), while the 12.9-inch model weighs 1.4 pounds (633g).
Variants and Value for Money
The iPad Pro (2018) comes in Silver and the new dark Space Gray. The storage variants for both sizes include 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, all available in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus Cellular variants.
The price for the iPad Pro (2018) 11-inch starts at $799 for 64GB Wi-Fi only, going up to $1,699 for the 1TB model with Wi-Fi and Cellular. The iPad Pro (2018) 12.9-inch on the other hand, starts at $999 for the 64GB Wi-Fi only model and goes up to $1,899 for the 1TB Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
The iPad Pro (2018) is for the professionals, content creators, and those who intend to get their work done on this lean machine. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best of the iPad experience, and have no budget constraint, go for it and get yourself one!
Essential iPad Accessories
Apple Pencil
While at first the Apple Pencil was unveiled as an accessory for the iPad Pro, as of now, all the upgraded iPads mentioned in this guide have Apple Pencil support.
The Pencil is a modern-day stylus, a.k.a. drawing tool for the iPad. The first generation Pencil charges via the iPad’s Lightning Port, and supports all iPads except the 2018 iPad Pro models. The second generation Pencil, designed solely for the iPad Pro (2018) ditches the Lightning connector, but instead has wireless charging, and magnetically attaches itself to the iPad Pro’s square edge. It also brings in more precision than the first generation Pencil.
The Pencil is a must have for any iPad buyer that plans on using the device for note taking or drawing/graphic designing.
Smart Keyboard
The Smart Keyboard is another accessory by Apple aimed at maximizing the productivity of your iPad. It essentially converts your iPad into a laptop, attaching itself via the three-pin proprietary connector.
Because of that interface, the Smart Keyboard is available only for select iPad models — the iPad Pro (2018) 11-inch and 12.9-inch, and the iPad Air (2019).
Done with this article? Here’s something fun I wrote a while back:
Conclusion
So did you decide? Let us know what your pick is and how the one you end up buying compares to the tablet you have now!
Palash is a technology and entertainment journalist who loves to geek out over the latest gadgets, TV shows, and movies.
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