Comparing Air, Pro, Mini, and Standard Models

All iPads compared in 2024

In May 2024, Apple unveiled the 7th generation iPad Pro in both 11-inch and 13-inch models, equipped with M4 chips. As anticipated, the new iPad Air was also released, available in 11-inch and 13-inch models and featuring M2 chips.

On the same day, Apple updated the accessory ecosystem for the iPads, introducing a more computer-like keyboard and an advanced Apple Pencil. We have prepared a special article covering all the new releases from the “Get Loose” event on May 7, just for you:

Table of Contents:

Apple iPad Pro 2024: Starting from $999

The iPad Pro models now start at $999 for the 11-inch version and $1,299 for the 13-inch variant, available in Space Gray and Silver. These new models offer a leap in performance and display technology, setting them apart in the Apple lineup.

For the first time, Apple introduces OLED technology to the iPad Pro series. The 11-inch and 13-inch displays are now labeled as Ultra Retina XDR and utilize something the company is calling Tandem OLED panels for “unparalleled” precision in image performance. Both sizes boast impressive specifications, including 1000 nits of typical brightness, peaking at 1600 nits for HDR content. The display supports XDR precision, offering deeper blacks and enhanced detail in shadows and low-light conditions. A nano-texture glass option is also available for those seeking reduced glare.

In terms of dimensions, these are Apple’s thinnest products ever, measuring just 5.3 mm for the 11-inch model and 5.1 mm for the 13-inch model. The internal architecture has been significantly upgraded with the introduction of the M4 SoC, which utilizes 3 nm technology, featuring 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. This setup delivers a performance four times faster than previous models while using only a quarter of the energy.

Additionally, the new Neural Engine (a.k.a. NPU) boasts a 16-core design capable of conducting 38 trillion operations per second, making these devices incredibly powerful for AI applications. The thermal performance has also been improved by 20%, ensuring better efficiency during high-demand tasks.

On the software side, the tablets support iPadOS 17—and the upcoming iPadOS 18—, which includes features like Stage Manager and the Core ML framework. Apple has also introduced professional applications such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, enhancing productivity and creativity. A new feature, Live Multicam in the Final Cut Camera app, allows users to direct multi-camera videos remotely.

Camera technology has also been enhanced, with a 12MP 4K ProRES capability and an improved LiDAR scanner for better depth sensing. The ultrawide front camera now sits on the landscape edge, and the flash has been enhanced with AI for brighter images.

The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro now comes in two colors and includes a function row and a larger pad, adding to the versatility and portability of these devices. These iPads support the new Apple Pencil Pro, making them more powerful and adaptable than ever before.

Apple iPad Air 2024: Starting at $599

The iPad Air, a favorite choice for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability, received a significant upgrade from Apple on May 7, 2024. The new models, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, are now equipped with advanced M2 chips.

This transition marks a pivotal shift in the iPad experience, moving from the standard tablet functionality to a more computer-like software experience—although not as advanced as the Pro models—, enhancing its capability for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.

Apple has introduced the Liquid Retina display technology to the new iPad Air, increasing the screen size by 30% in the 13-inch model, which results in an immersive viewing experience. 

The design updates include a front camera now situated on the landscape edge, ideal for video calls and streaming, and landscape stereo speakers that enhance audio quality. The iPad Air is now offered in four stylish finishes: blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.

The new iPad Air is 50% faster than its predecessor due to the 15% improvement in CPU performance. It also introduces new features such as Apple Pencil hover, which allows for greater precision and is compatible with the new Magic Keyboard, enhancing productivity and creativity.

These enhancements make the new iPad Air not only a powerful device for general use but also particularly adept at handling demanding AI and ML applications, all while maintaining an affordable price point.

The device also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and the cellular model is upgraded to 5G, ensuring high-speed internet access on the go. These are the suggested prices for the new model, with a price increase of 20 dollars for the 5G models:

Apple iPad (10th generation): Starting from $349

The latest basic iPad was released in October 2022. The base iPad broke many traditions in the base model, ditching not only the front home button but also the Lightning port, this last one replaced by USB-C. Although still using Touch ID as its biometric feature, the fingerprint sensor is now housed on the side, similar to the rest of the iPad line.

Removing the front home button allowed the 10th generation iPad to get a bigger screen, 10.9-inch instead of the classic 10.2” used since 2019 in the 7th generation. The slightly bigger screen was accompanied by an increase in resolution, now 2360 x 1640 pixels, instead of 2160 x 1620 in the 9th generation.

Processing-wise, the 10th gen iPad was upgraded to the A14 Bionic SoC, the same one used in the iPhone 12. It promises improvements in terms of performance and brings support for 5G networks in the cellular model. In the storage department, Apple kept the same 64 and 256 GB options.

Both cameras in the iPad 2022 were also updated, with the main camera getting a resolution bump from 8 to 12 megapixels. The front-facing camera, meanwhile, was moved to the longer side of the tablet, making video calls in landscape mode the default option.

Battery life specs are the same as the previous version, with up to 10 hours of web browsing on the Wi-Fi model, and up to 9 hours when using cellular connectivity. Speaking of the previous model, the 9th generation iPad was not discontinued following the 10th gen release. Apple kept the 2021 model on store shelves as a low-cost alternative to the upgraded model.

The 9th generation iPad starts from $329. However, the price increases exponentially with more memory and an LTE module. You can refer to the prices in the table above.

Good

• Updated and modern design
• Front camera positioned in landscape mode
• Really stable performance
• USB-C port instead of Lightning (Finally!)
• A reliable companion

Bad

• Support for first generation Apple Pencil (Lightning port)
• 64 GB variant is a joke in 2022
• Quality-to-price ratio is not justified

Apple iPad mini 2021: Starting from $499

While Apple has retained the familiar design of the basic iPad, the iPad mini experienced a redesign in 2021. The new iPad mini appeared with far thinner bezels than before, sans the home button and the Touch ID sensor.

The chassis houses an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with IPS technology. Thanks to its resolution of 2226 x 1488 pixels, the pixel density of the iPad mini is very impressive. Fortunately, True Tone support is also included, as well as support for the P3 color space and Apple’s second-generation Apple Pencil.

You can choose between Space Gray, Rose, Violet, and Polaris colors for the iPad mini. The build material used is also 100 percent recycled aluminum. The dimensions of the smallest iPad stand at 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 millimeters (H x W x D). In large pockets, the Wi-Fi model weighs 293 grams while the LTE model is 4 grams heftier.

Other features include a USB-C port at the bottom and a magnetic port for the Apple Pencil 2 on the right side. Compared to the iPad 2021, the iPad mini also offers stereo speakers on both the top and bottom sides.

In terms of performance, the iPad mini 2021 is clearly ahead of the base model. This is due to Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset, which is also used in the iPhone 13 range. Half a dozen CPU cores and five graphics cores ensure that you can edit 4K videos or play the latest mobile games without having to suffer long loading times. You can read more about the seemingly inexhaustible performance of the iPad mini in our review.

At this point, we would first like to point out the differences in the cameras to you. The selfie camera offers an ultra-wide-angle field of view, which allows you to use Apple’s follow mode. It has a 12 MP resolution and supports the Smart HDR 3 standard as well as video recordings in 1080p at 60 frames per second.

The main camera on the back can record videos in 4K and also supports 60 FPS. However, you have to settle for 12 megapixels for videos—but the main camera is much faster with an aperture of f/1.8.

Although the iPad mini’s battery capacity is no doubt smaller due to its construction, Apple advertised battery runtimes of up to 10 hours when surfing the web via WLANs. When surfing via the cellular network with the LTE model, you can manage 9 hours without a power outlet. If the iPad mini needs to be plugged in, it can be done via USB-C.

Thanks to USB 3.1 Gen 1, the port also allows connections to external displays or hard drives. The data rates are correspondingly high with a maximum of 5 gigabits per second.

If you decide to buy the iPad mini, you will have to spend at least $499 a pop. In addition to the 64 GB model, there is also a 256 GB model. As with the basic iPad, Apple also differentiates between cellular and WiFi-only models. All prices can be found in the table above this paragraph.

Good

• The perfect form factor for a tablet
• iPadOS 15 runs perfectly on it
• Superb performance

Bad

• No 120 Hertz refresh rate and ProMotion
• No Face ID support

Software

A significant advantage shared by all iPads is, unquestionably, Apple’s operating system. The iPadOS is sleek, user-friendly, and potent. It is a heavily customized variant of Apple’s iOS platform, a factor that distinguishes Apple from its competitors. After all, Android still tends to be cumbersome and prone to errors on tablets.

As of May 2024, the official version of the iPad software is iPadOS 17, which was released in mid-2023. If you are interested in learning about all the features that Apple introduced in this version, I highly recommend you check out our comprehensive guide for iPadOS 17.

The standout features of the new iPad operating system include enhancements for health and mindfulness in the Health app, a personalized lock screen with widgets, and fresh productivity features designed for the iPad. To learn more about these functionalities, and to find out if your tablet is eligible for the new update, I encourage you to read our iPadOS guide linked above.

Accessories

Cases and keyboard covers

For additional flexibility and security in everyday life, Apple offers several accessories for all iPad models. Especially popular among users are cases and keyboard covers, which can add important functions in addition to more security.

For example, you can use a Smart Folio cover to protect the display of your iPad as well as to angle the entire tablet a bit. The keyboard covers also help you type, and with more expensive models you even get an additional trackpad.

Apart from Apple, other manufacturers also offer cases and keyboard covers for Apple’s iPad. When buying, you should make sure that the case is actually compatible with your model and screen size. It is also particularly practical if the accessory makes use of Apple’s Smart Connector.

Styluses for Apple’s iPads

Apple’s own styluses are called “Apple Pencil”, “Apple Pencil 2nd Generation” and the newest “Apple Pencil Pro”. We have already described the compatibilities in detail. In short, all iPads are compatible with the 2nd generation, except for the basic iPad.

This is because only this has the required Lightning port to charge the stylus. However, the first generation Pencil cannot be magnetically held on all the other iPads. It is priced from $99 and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil costs $129.

Since May 7, 2024, users of the iPad have also counted with the most advanced Apple Pencil Pro. It introduces a suite of advanced features designed to enhance the creative process on the iPad Air and Pro models. The new stylus includes a new sensor that detects squeezes, allowing users to quickly switch tools and adjust settings without interrupting their workflow.

Additionally, it offers haptic feedback for intuitive user interactions and a gyroscope for precise control, which includes the ability to roll the device for detailed adjustments. The Apple Pencil Pro also supports the “Find My” feature, making it easier to locate if misplaced. It connects to the iPad Air via a new magnetic interface for pairing, charging, and storage.

Apple is not the only supplier of styluses, though, as there are third-party styluses out there that are compatible with the Apple iPad. However, do be cautious as you might end up with a lemon. To avoid that, see our list of the best Apple Pencil alternatives. 

AirPods, MacBooks, and other peripherals

All iPad models support the WLAN and Bluetooth wireless standards. This makes them compatible with many other accessories already available in the market.

Apple especially integrates its devices seamlessly into its respective operating systems. Here are two examples: If you power up Apple’s AirPods headphones, your iPad automatically recognizes them. The headphones also automatically detect which Apple device is currently playing music.

If you also use your Apple hardware with a shared Apple ID, you automatically link the devices together. If you click “Take Photo” on your Mac desktop, you can select your iPad here. Linking multiple devices is one of the clear strengths of choosing an iPad and other Apple devices.

Article updated in May 2024. Comments posted before the update were kept and may refer to previous versions of this list.