It’s hard to believe but Apple’s iPad turned 10 this year. It was first officially unveiled on stage by Steve Jobs on Jan. 27, 2010 and a lot has changed over the years even if the basic idea is the same. The current lineup includes the 10.2-inch iPad (2019, seventh-generation), 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019, third-generation) and second-gen 11- and fourth-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released earlier this year. There’s also the fifth-gen 2019 7.9-inch iPad mini.
Read more: The best 2020 iPad deals: The 10.2-inch model is back on sale for $250
The features and performance get better as you move up in the line. Regardless of the iPad you go with, though, all of the current iPad models support one of Apple’s Smart Keyboard and either the first- or second-gen Apple Pencil. That’s good news for anyone looking to do more than play Apple Arcade games, look at websites and stream videos and music. Plus, all of the current models support mouse and trackpad use for a more MacBook-like experience.
Apple/Screenshot by Josh Goldman/CNET
That said, Apple iPads hold their value, and there’s generally a huge market for older used and refurbished iPads. Availability dried up some over the past several months with more people working and learning from home. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal before you buy an iPad.
Read more: How to pick the best iPad keyboard trackpad case
iPad 2019 vs. iPad Air 2019 vs. iPad Pro 2020 specs
| iPad 2019 (10.2) | iPad Air 2019 (10.5) | iPad Pro 2020 (11) | iPad Pro 2020 (12.9) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | See it at Amazon | See it at Amazon | See it at Amazon | See it at Amazon |
| Display resolution | 2,160×1,620-pixel resolution | 2,224×1,668-pixel resolution | 2,388×1,668-pixel resolution | 2,732×2,048-pixel resolution |
| Pixel density (ppi) | 264 ppi | 264 ppi | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Rear camera | 8-megapixel f2.4 | 8-megapixel f2.4 | 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide | 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide |
| Video recording | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps | 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide) | 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide) |
| FaceTime front-facing camera | 1.2-megapixel photos; 720p video | 7-megapixel photos; 1080p video | 7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video | 7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video |
| Processor | A10 | A12 | A12Z | A12Z |
| Dimensions | 9.8×6.8×0.29 inches | 9.8×6.8×0.24 inches | 9.7x7x0.23 inches | 11×8.5×0.23 inches |
| Weight | 1.07 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.09 lbs. (LTE) | 1 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.02 lbs. (LTE) | 1.04 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.04 lbs. (LTE) | 1.41 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.42 lbs.(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 | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Connector port | Lightning; Apple Smart Connector | Lightning; Apple Smart Connector | USB-C; Apple Smart Connector | USB-C; Apple Smart Connector |
| Apple Pencil-compatibility | Yes; 1st generation | Yes; 1st generation | Yes; 2nd generation | Yes; 2nd generation |
| Unlock with | Touch ID | Touch ID | Face ID | Face ID |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| SIM card support for cellular model | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM |
| iPad Keyboard compatibility | Smart Keyboard | Smart Keyboard | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio |
| Audio | Two-speaker | Two-speaker | Four-speaker | Four-speaker |
| Capacity and price: Wi-Fi models | $329 (32GB) / $429 (128GB) | $499 (64GB) / $649 (256GB) | $799 (64GB) / $899 (256GB) / $1,099 (512GB) / $1,299 (1TB) | $999 (128GB) / $1,099 (256GB) / $1,299 (512GB) / $1,499 (1TB) |
| Capacity and price: LTE models | $459 (32GB) / $559 (128GB) | $629 (64GB) / $779 (256GB) | $949 (64GB) / $1,049 (256GB) / $1,249 (512GB) / $1,449 (1TB) | $1,149 (128GB) / $1,249 (256GB) / $1,449 (512GB) / $1,649 (1TB) |
Sarah Tew/CNET
The least-expensive iPad is also the one we’re most likely to recommend for people looking for a new iPad for the family and general use. Despite its older A10 processor, the 10.2-inch iPad can handle the latest iPadOS just fine, and its display that’s slightly larger than its predecessor’s is better for productivity and entertainment. One word of caution, though: The base 32GB of storage can fill up fast, so we recommend going with the 128GB version if possible.
Read our Apple iPad 10.2-inch 2019 review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The 2019 iPad Air is a lot like the 10.5-inch iPad Pro from 2017. Starting at $499, it’s built around a 10.5-inch Retina display like the 2017 Pro but has an updated A12 Bionic processor like the one powering the iPhone XS. If you want better performance and more storage space — there are 64GB or 256GB options — you should consider stepping up the Air. Plus, while it’s larger than the entry-level iPad, it actually weighs a hair less.
Scott Stein/CNET
Whether you’re a digital artist or have waited years for an iPad that blurs the line between tablet and MacBook, the 2020 iPad Pro is what you want. Aside from different screen sizes (and respective resolutions) and weight, the 11- and 12.9-inch Pros are the same. If you’re considering the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you’ll likely want to spring for the 12.9-inch version for the significant increase in workspace. As for performance, this has all the latest and greatest components Apple’s iPads have to offer. If device longevity is key, you’ll want to pay the premium for the 2020 iPad Pro.
Read our Apple iPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch) review.
Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET
The littlest iPad doesn’t look any different than it did in 2015, but for 2019 it got a faster A12 processor and Apple Pencil support. Those additions make the 7.9-inch Mini — starting at $399 (£399, AU$599) — a smart choice for those who want a smaller device for notetaking and sketching while also giving you better performance for games and more screen space than your phone for reading and videos (and you won’t be eating into your phone’s battery life, either). While its wide bezels make it look a dated compared to the rest of the lineup, at least it has Touch ID and a headphone jack to go along with them.
Read our Apple iPad Mini 2019 review.
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My first week at home using the new iPad Pro
