Methods to choose the most effective Apple pill for you

Display screen measurement: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 (11-inch), 2732 x 2048 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 1TB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 1.01 kilos (11-inch), 1.36 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full Apple iPad Air M3 review

The just lately refreshed iPad Air stays the Apple pill we’d advocate to most individuals. Sure, it prices greater than the entry-level iPad, and sure, there’s nonetheless a gulf between it and the higher-end iPad Professional. However no iPad strikes a greater steadiness between worth, efficiency and options. It’s Apple’s “good” pill — superior sufficient to be a pleasure every single day however not eye-wateringly costly.

The latest iPad Air, launched in March 2025, earned a score of 89 in our evaluation. It begins at $599 for an 11-inch mannequin or $799 for a variant with a 13-inch display. Exterior of a better brightness score on the 13-inch mannequin (600 nits versus 500 nits), the 2 are just about equivalent, so which one is finest merely is determined by what display screen measurement you like. Most will most likely spring for the 11-inch model on condition that it’s cheaper and far simpler to carry. However the added display screen actual property on the 13-inch model is nice in case you usually use your iPad with a keyboard case, or simply need extra room for watching films, taking part in video games or multitasking for work.

Each fashions are a lot pricier than the bottom iPad, however the Air’s upgrades principally justify the premium. It now runs on Apple’s M3 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which is identical silicon present in last-gen MacBooks and iMacs. It’s overkill for internet shopping, video streaming and different fundamental duties, however it means efficiency ought to hardly ever, if ever, be a problem.

It additionally makes the Air slightly extra futureproof, as various iPadOS options are solely accessible with M-series chips or newer A-series silicon. The entire , for example, on the latest entry-level iPad, nor are the ports of demanding video video games like  and . The bottom iPad does get you an identical and older mode after the latest , although it nonetheless lacks full assist. The M3 Air additionally has a wholesome 8GB of RAM and 128GB of base storage; the usual iPad additionally begins with 128GB now, however nonetheless has a bit much less reminiscence at 6GB.

The iPad Air’s 60Hz LCD show isn’t as vibrant or clean in movement because the 120Hz OLED panel on the most recent iPad Professional, and it’s beginning to present its age in 2025 when some smartphones provide a better refresh price for lots of of {dollars} much less. Nonetheless, it’s brilliant, sharp and comparatively correct. It’s additionally a step up from the entry-level iPad, because it’s totally laminated, which suggests there’s no seen hole between the show and the entrance glass. That will not sound like a lot, however it’s a kind of issues that’s arduous to disregard when you’ve seen the distinction. The Air’s panel additionally has an antireflective coating to additional decrease glare, plus it helps a wider P3 colour gamut.

The iPad Air has had just about the identical square-edged design for 4 generations now, however it stays sturdy, elegant and fairly snug. It nonetheless affords a stable 10-ish hours of battery life, a USB-C port and a Contact ID fingerprint scanner constructed into its energy button (however no Face ID, annoyingly). Apple moved the front-facing digital camera to the pill’s lengthy edge with the previous-gen mannequin, and that continues to be a way more pure place for FaceTime calls in panorama mode.

Not like the entry-level iPad, the Air works with the Pencil Pro, Apple’s most featured stylus. (Although it’s not suitable with the older second-gen Pencil — sure, the stylus situation is messy.) It doesn’t work with the corporate’s finest aluminum keyboard case, however it helps a new Magic Keyboard with a few of that mannequin’s upgrades, together with a extra spacious trackpad and a devoted operate row. This model remains to be principally fabricated from plastic, and its lack of backlit keys is tough to excuse when the older Magic Keyboard — which is fortunately still available — didn’t have that subject, however it stays extremely snug for typing. All of those equipment add bit to the Air’s backside line, however for digital artists or frequent typers, they’re there.

The M3 iPad Air is an easy spec bump, so there’s no actual have to improve in case you’re coming from the M2 or M1 models. In reality, in case you can nonetheless discover a refurbished model of the M2 Air at a lower cost, that’ll be a greater worth on the entire. But when your iPad is slowing down, you’re shopping for your first Apple pill otherwise you need a 13-inch iPad with out completely torching your financial savings account, the Air ought to be the primary mannequin you think about.

Display screen measurement: 11 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 6GB | Weight: 1.05 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full Apple iPad (A16) review

The entry-level iPad (A16) isn’t as good because the iPad Air, however the two share the identical design language, and the cheaper mannequin remains to be completely competent on the core iPad Issues. For $349, that makes it a compelling cut price for individuals who need a trendy iPad for as little money as potential.

The bottom iPad seems to be just about equivalent to the iPad Air from afar. It’s solely marginally thicker and heavier, whereas its 11-inch panel is simply as sharp and brilliant. Battery life is available in on the identical 10-ish hours, and there’s nonetheless a USB-C port and Contact ID sensor. The cameras are practically the identical, too, with the selfie cam situated alongside its lengthy edge. Most significantly, it will get you almost all the identical conveniences of iPadOS for $250 much less.

This mannequin runs on a barely cut-down model of the A16 Bionic chip present in 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro and 2023’s iPhone 15, plus 6GB of RAM. This combo received’t maintain up in addition to higher-end iPads years down the street, and it will probably’t run Apple Intelligence or prolong to an external display by way of Stage Supervisor. Plus, the M3 Air is already noticeably sooner for exporting 4K movies or taking part in essentially the most taxing iPad video games. 

However the A16 is greater than fast sufficient for the duties most individuals really do with an iPad, be it watching Netflix, sending emails, taking part in informal Apple Arcade video games and even modifying photographs in Lightroom. If something, many individuals will choose to not have their pill push AI on them. And with the most recent iPadOS 26 replace, this iPad has entry to most of the identical Mac-style productivity and multitasking features as its pricier siblings. That makes it a way more compelling choice for individuals who need to get lighter work executed on their pill. Simply observe that the brand new windowing system launched with the replace can generally really feel cumbersome in comparison with the outdated “cut up view” and “slide over” options, which have been eliminated (although the latter will now return in a future replace). Past that, the A16 begins with the identical wholesome 128GB of storage because the Air.

The iPad (A16) does have a worse show than the Air, with no lamination, no assist for the broader P3 colour area and no antireflective coating. Put the 2 facet by facet and the Air certainly produces barely bolder colours and holds up higher towards glare. The shortage of lamination makes writing with the Apple Pencil really feel extra abstracted on the cheaper mannequin, too.

For the value, although, this display screen remains to be sharp, comfortably sized and devoid of main colour accuracy points. The hole right here isn’t practically as dramatic because the one between the Air’s and iPad Professional’s shows. Likewise, whereas the Air’s twin audio system sound fuller and extra rounded, the bottom iPad will get loud and clear sufficient to keep away from severe issues.

There are different downgrades. The iPad (A16) is not suitable with the Apple Pencil Professional, simply the lesser USB-C Pencil — which lacks pressure sensitivity — and historical first-gen model. It doesn’t work with the identical Magic Keyboards; as an alternative, it makes use of its personal Surface-like accent known as the Magic Keyboard Folio, which has a operate row however isn’t as steady in your lap. It helps Wi-Fi 6 however not Wi-Fi 6E. The USB-C port is technically slower for information transfers, too, maxing out at 480 Mbps as an alternative of 10 Gbps.

Like we stated with our high advice, a refurbished M2 iPad Air is price contemplating over the iPad (A16) if yow will discover one at worth. It’s been discontinued, so we will’t make it a proper choose, however it stays a greater piece of {hardware}. But when that’s not an choice, the bottom iPad is a robust cut price. It’s worse than the iPad Air, however it’s not $250 worse for these on a tighter price range, people upgrading from the 9th-gen iPad or anybody who simply doesn’t push their iPad to the restrict more often than not.

Display screen measurement: 8.3 inches | Show decision: 2266 x 1488 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full iPad mini 7 review

The iPad mini is strictly what it seems like: the small iPad. Apple up to date it in late 2024 with a brand new chip and assist for the Apple Pencil Professional, and it is nonetheless the shortest and lightest iPad within the present lineup by a ways. As earlier than, it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina show that’s simpler to make use of with one hand.

We gave the iPad mini a review score of 83. Its design follows intently after that of the iPad Air: squared-off edges, skinny bezels, no Dwelling button, a Contact ID sensor within the energy button, stereo audio system, respectable cameras and a USB-C port. Its show is technically sharper, however in any other case provides you an identical max brightness, lamination, antireflective coating and vast colour gamut. It doesn’t have a “Sensible Connector” to hook up Apple-made keyboards, however it does work with the top-end Apple Pencil Professional and the cheaper USB-C Apple Pencil. The Pencil Professional is a step up over the older second-generation Apple Pencil the prior mini used, with haptic suggestions, a gyroscope and a “squeeze” function for opening up a brush palette.

The mini runs on Apple’s A17 Professional chip, the identical because the one in 2023’s iPhone 15 Professional sequence. Whereas this chip isn’t fairly as highly effective because the M3 within the iPad Air, it’s greater than succesful sufficient to deal with what most individuals will need to do with this iPad. Notably, it’s additionally highly effective sufficient for Apple Intelligence. That may not be one thing that compels individuals to improve proper now (or possibly ever), however the level is that the brand new mini is extra futureproof than its predecessor.

The mini begins at $499 for a 128GB mannequin. Apple lastly noticed match to double the bottom storage, which makes the most cost effective mannequin simpler to advocate than earlier than. When you particularly need a smaller pill — whether or not it’s to simply stuff in a bag, use with one hand or deal with like a high-end e-reader — that is the one one Apple sells, and the most suitable choice in its measurement vary. 

Display screen measurement: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2,420 x 1,668 (11-inch), 2,752 x 2,064 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 2TB | RAM: 12GB (256GB, 512GB fashions), 16GB (1TB, 2TB fashions) | Weight: 0.98 kilos (11-inch), 1.28 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full iPad Pro (M5) review

The iPad Pro is extra pill than most individuals want, full cease. However when you have money to burn and simply need essentially the most technically spectacular iPad potential, that is it. We gave the most recent mannequin a rating of 85 in our iPad Pro (M5) review. Just like the iPad Air, the Professional is available in 11- and 13-inch variants: The previous begins at $999, whereas the latter begins at $1,299. Each are prohibitively costly for many, however for the cash they supply various premium, if inessential, upgrades over Apple’s different tablets.

Essentially the most important of those is the “tandem OLED” show. In comparison with the LCD display screen on the iPad Air, this produces richer colours and deeper, extra uniform black tones. Gaming and scrolling the net seems to be extra fluid due to its sooner 120Hz refresh price. It could additionally get far brighter, reaching as much as 1,000 nits in SDR and as much as 1,600 nits with HDR highlights.

That is the place the “tandem” half is available in. Primarily, Apple is stacking two OLED panels on high of each other to enhance peak brightness, which is usually a (relative) weak point of OLED shows. All you really want to know is that this display screen is an absolute delight — among the best we’ve seen on any shopper system, not to mention any pill. For watching films or modifying media, you received’t get a lot better. For the reason that 11- and 13-inch iPad Professional each use this identical show tech, which one is finest merely comes down to non-public desire.

The principle improve with the latest Professional is Apple’s M5 SoC. If the iPad Air’s M3 chip is overkill for the overwhelming majority of iPad duties, the M5 is mega-kill — very similar to the M4 within the last-generation mannequin. It simply dealt with absolutely anything we threw at it, and for specialist duties that contain heavy GPU or AI-related workloads, we discovered it to be an improve in comparison with the M4. It nonetheless goes effectively past what most individuals will ever want, however it ought to be much more futureproof, and it’ll save a couple of seconds right here and there in case your work includes high-res media modifying, 3D rendering, on-device AI inference and the like.

Past that, the bottom iPad Professional has 256GB of storage, which is twice as a lot as every other iPad. Just like the Air, it additionally helps superior options like hardware-accelerated ray tracing in its GPU, which might assist lighting in high-end video games. This newest mannequin additionally has 12GB of RAM within the entry-level and 512GB configurations, which is 4GB greater than the last-gen Professional, and the reminiscence bandwidth is quicker, which ought to assist these maintain up higher a number of years down the street. When you actually need to max issues out, the 1TB and 2TB configs soar to 16GB of reminiscence and use a technically extra highly effective chip with an additional efficiency core unlocked.

Getting a kind of SKUs prices a minimal of $1,599, nevertheless — and that’s earlier than you add on a keyboard, stylus or different equipment. These wanting to make use of the iPad Professional as a (very costly) media consumption system might not want these, however if you’d like the very best for tablet-based work, simply observe that it’s going to value you much more than it first appears.

The iPad Professional is the one iPad with Face ID, which stays extra handy than reaching for a fingerprint scanner. It’s the one one with a Thunderbolt USB-C port, which is technically sooner for transferring massive information, and the M5 model is the one one that may drive exterior screens at a quick 120Hz refresh price. It sounds extra strong than the Air, with 4 audio system as an alternative of two. Its digital camera system isn’t all that completely different, however it features a flash for extra simply scanning paperwork and might file video in Apple’s ProRes format. This newest model can be the one one to assist quick charging, as we discovered it will probably get near a 50 p.c cost in simply over a half hour. And in terms of equipment, solely the Professional helps Apple’s high Magic Keyboard, which is wildly costly however has an aluminum end, backlit keys and a bigger trackpad with haptic suggestions. It additionally works with the Pencil Professional.

If most of these options sound area of interest to you, effectively, yeah, that’s the concept. Except you’re keen to pay for that terrific OLED display screen, the iPad Air nonetheless will get shut sufficient for a normal viewers at a extra palatable worth. And whereas the iPad Professional is a class-leading pill, it’s finally nonetheless a pill. The iPadOS 26 replace has finally made multitasking and another computer-y duties easier than they was, however most of these options are additionally out there on the cheaper fashions. Regardless, the Professional is an excellent iPad — quick, slim and splendid. And costly.