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Apple just launched new iPad Pro and Air models.
Isabel Fernandez Pujol/Business Insider
New iPad models aren't given simple numbers like the iPhone, which makes things a lot more confusing when talking about new and old iPads. You might be wondering what the latest option is between Apple's four tablet types, for instance, or how to distinguish between different generations.
With the release of the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models, we're here to break down the latest iPad lineup for you. Currently, Apple officially sells six different tablets, listed here from newest to oldest:
Determining which iPad makes the most sense for your needs can be difficult, as many features and specs overlap. But it's important to understand the differences, especially if you want to make sure you're choosing the proper model when considering the best iPad Pro cases, best iPad Air cases, or best iPad cases.
Read on for a full breakdown of the latest iPads from the four current model types, and check out our guide to the best iPads for further assessment.
The new iPad Pro models
Apple's most premium tablet received a major update this month with the launch of the latest 13-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro models.
Apple debuted its new M4 processor on the iPad Pros alongside a slate of AI-focused enhancements that make the high-end tablets more powerful and tailored for productivity than ever before.
Apple's new iPad Pros are ideal for highly intensive tasks.
Apple
Dubbed Apple's "thinnest" products to date, the iPad Pros boast slim designs at depths of 5.3mm and 5.1mm for the 11-inch and 13-inch models, respectively. Apple introduced a new "Tandem OLED" design for the iPad Pro displays that allows for enhanced brightness and clarity relative to the Pro line's previous LED and mini-LED displays.
Apple released a new Magic Keyboard for the 2024 iPad Pro models that features a function row and a larger trackpad, bringing the iPad Pro closer to a viable laptop replacement. The latest iPad Pros are compatible with the USB-C Apple Pencil and the new Apple Pencil Pro, which offers a "squeeze" sensor and a gyroscope that enable a suite of new features.
The generational improvements to the iPad Pro line resulted in higher prices. Where the previous iPad Pro line started at $799, the new 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, and the new 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299.
Apple upgraded the iPad Air models from the M1 processor to the newer M2 processor, which runs laptops like the 2022 MacBook Air and 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro, enabling smoother performance for intensive tasks relative to the previous-generation Air model.
The 13-inch iPad Air is a new form factor in Apple's tablet lineup.
Apple
Apple moved the front-facing camera on the new iPad Airs to the landscape position, which aligns with the new iPad Pro models and offers a more convenient position for video calling. The latest iPad Air models work with the USB-C Apple Pencil and the new Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple last released a standard iPad in October 2022, with the 10th-generation iPad.
The 10th-generation iPad adopted Apple's modern design language, with slim bezels around a larger 10.9-inch screen relative to the previous-generation model. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and its Touch ID sensor is integrated into the power button. Its best upgrade was repositioning its ultra-wide FaceTime camera to the landscape position for a better angle of view during video calls.
Apple also released a new standard iPad in the fall of 2022.
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In terms of power, the 10th-generation iPad runs Apple's A14 Bionic chip, the same processor as the iPhone 12, which can still handle basic to moderately intensive tasks. Those looking for smoother and more powerful performance should opt for the new iPad Pro or iPad Air.
Following the launch of the new iPad Pro and Air models, the starting price of the 10th-generation iPad dropped to $349 from $449. Apple also discontinued the 9th-generation iPad, making the 10th-generation iPad the lone budget option in the current lineup.
The most recent iPad Mini model is the sixth-generation iPad Mini, which Apple released in September 2021.
Starting at $499, the 2021 iPad Mini is a mid-range option between the standard iPad and the new premium iPad Pro and Air models. If you're looking for the perfect balance between portability and performance, the iPad Mini could be calling your name.
It's been more than two years since we've seen a new iPad Mini.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
The 2021 iPad Mini marked a total redesign over previous generations, with narrower borders that resemble the iPad Air. The sixth-generation iPad Mini features a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina touch display with True Tone color technology versus the 7.9-inch screens of previous generations. It runs smoothly through basic to moderately intensive tasks on Apple's A15 Bionic processor, which runs the iPhone 13 series.
The latest iPad Mini supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and second-generation Apple Pencil. It has a USB-C port for charging and connecting accessories, an ultra-wide FaceTime camera with Apple's Center Stage, an improved 12-megapixel rear camera, and a Touch ID sensor built into the power button on the top edge.
All the latest iPads look similar now that each model has Apple's modern tablet design language.
If you're unsure which iPad model you own, you can find your iPad's model in the Settings app by tapping General > About. You can also look for the model number etched on the back of the iPad.
Read our comprehensive guide to identifying iPad generations for more detail.
Apple iPad Pro: 11 and 12.9 inches (2022)
New iPad Pros were a part of Apple's latest tablet release.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Apple's most premium tablet got a minor update in October 2022 with the sixth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and fourth-generation 11-inch iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch Pro is the largest tablet in Apple's lineup, and the only iPad to use Apple's mini-LED display that boasts improved brightness and contrast.
Among the updates from 2022 was Apple's computer-grade M2 processor, also in the 2022 MacBook Air, and support for the new Hover feature with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which offers better accuracy and new interactions.
Both tablets include optional 5G connectivity with support for mmWave 5G networks, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, Face ID, high-refresh-rate 120Hz ProMotion displays, dual-lens cameras, and a Center Stage feature that keeps the selfie camera centered on the subject despite movement.
Taken together, these changes make Apple's iPad Pro tablets more powerful and tailored for productivity than ever before. But they're still best suited for professional creatives and multimedia editors since multitasking for most other work is still easier on a desktop operating system like macOS or Windows.
Apple also released a new standard iPad in the fall of 2022.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Apple released the 10th-generation iPad in October 2022. It starts at $449, a significantly higher price than the ninth-generation iPad that's still available for $329.
The 10th-gen iPad adopts Apple's modern design language with slim bezels around a larger 10.9-inch screen, and it can be easily mistaken for the fifth-gen iPad Air at a glance. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning. The Touch ID sensor is now integrated into the power button, and the rear camera sees an upgrade from 8 megapixels to 12 megapixels. But the best upgrade is that the ultra-wide FaceTime camera has been repositioned in the landscape position for a better angle of yourself during video calls.
In terms of power, the 10th-gen iPad uses Apple's A14 Bionic chip, the same processor as the iPhone 12. It's worth noting that this new version of Apple's basic iPad only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which requires an adapter to charge. The 10th-gen iPad also supports mouse input and a Magic Keyboard Folio designed exclusively for it.
Despite its positives and the fact that it's an exceptional tablet, the 10th-gen iPad's $449 price tag makes it a hard tablet to recommend when the $329 ninth-gen iPad is still in the lineup.
The most recent iPad Air model arrived in March 2022.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
While the 2022 basic iPad is powerful, the 2022 iPad Air, released in March 2022, steps it up a notch with Apple's computer-grade M1 processor that also powers the 2020 13-inch MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and 24-inch iMac. That's a significant bump in power compared to the A14 Bionic processor in the fourth-gen iPad Air.
In terms of design, the fifth-gen iPad Air shares many similarities with its predecessor, with the same 10.9-inch screen, USB-C port, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The front camera was upgraded to 12 megapixels, with support for Center Stage, which automatically focuses the camera on you while you move around during a video call.
Other upgrades include 5G connectivity in the WiFi + Cellular models and an enhanced USB-C port for faster transfer of big files between the iPad Air and storage devices. Starting at $599, Apple's iPad Air sits in the current lineup as a step up from the basic iPad and iPad Mini and a worthy alternative to the iPad Pro.
The 2021 standard iPad remains an excellent option.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
While a new entry-level iPad is available, we think the 2021 ninth-generation iPad is still a great tablet for most people. At its $329 starting price, it's currently the most affordable iPad you can buy.
With a 10.2-inch touchscreen and A13 Bionic chip, the ninth-gen iPad offers enough power to get you through your basic needs. However, you may want to upgrade to the 256GB model for a bit more storage space if you're planning on using the iPad to download many videos, store many pictures, or play many games.
Like the 10th-gen iPad, the ninth-gen iPad supports the first-gen Apple Pencil, but it doesn't require an adapter as it can plug right into the iPad's Lightning port to recharge. The ultra-wide FaceTime camera supports the Center Stage feature that follows you as you move around on video calls or when recording a video, but it's in portrait position. The display also has Apple's True Tone feature that automatically adjusts the screen to the color temperature of the room you're in.
It's been more than two years since we've seen a new iPad Mini.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
The most recent iPad Mini model is the sixth-generation iPad Mini, which Apple released in September 2021. Starting at $499, the 2021 iPad Mini sits among more premium models like the iPad Air. If you're looking for the perfect balance between portability and performance, the iPad Air could be calling your name.
The 2021 iPad Mini marks a total redesign over previous generations, making for a look that's closer to the iPad Air with narrower borders. The 2021 iPad Mini features a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina touch display with True Tone color technology versus the 7.9-inch screens of previous generations. Apple's A15 Bionic processor that's running the iPhone 13 series is also present, and storage is available in 64GB or 256GB.
The latest iPad Mini supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, a USB-C port for charging and connecting accessories, an ultra-wide FaceTime camera with Apple's Center Stage, an improved 12-megapixel rear camera, and a Touch ID sensor built into the power button on the top edge. The WiFi + Cellular models also support 5G networks.
All the latest iPads look similar now that Apple has updated its basic iPad with its modern iPad design language. If you're not sure which iPad model you own, you can either find your iPad's model in the Settings app, or find the model number etched on the back of the iPad.
