List of iPad Generations: iPad Models From Oldest to Newest

In March 2010, Steve Jobs introduced the first iPad, which is now known to set standards for other tablets.

I know many people who have an iPad and want to get their hands on the latest version because even though the iPads are updated every year, they get decent features every few years.

The best part about an iPad is its amalgamation of an iPhone and a Mac book. A MacBook Pro, if you go for the iPad Pro version.

Since its inception, Apple has introduced 29 various iPads that cater to people who have different needs. That includes the designers, filmmakers, writers, video editors, real estate agents, pilots, and more.

Yes, choosing one iPad from this huge list is a Herculean task. But keep in mind that many of them are already discontinued, so you may get your hands on old iPads only on Amazon or other stores and not from authorized Apple stores.

This article is a compilation of all the iPads, the features they offer, their specifications, their launch price, the storage variants, the operating system they have, and the operating system they support, etc.

If you’re like me and are indecisive, this list aims to help you make a final decision before investing a hefty amount on a device that many thinks is still unreasonably priced.

If you’re thinking of getting a new iPad, then this comprehensive list will help you figure out the perfect model for you or your loved ones.

You’ll get to see iPad generations with different models and the year they were launched to make things easier for you.

List of iPad Generations

The following list of iPad generations. Include details, specifications, features, launch dates, pricing availability, the iPad OS they are running, and such information.

Old models did not have cameras. Some latest models have cellular connectivity. All can perform internet functions. They can take photos, play music, a massive collection of games, have GPS navigation, etc.

As I’ve already mentioned, since the launch of the original iPad, there are now a total of 29 iPad models to choose from, so let us take a look at the specifications of all the iPads ever released by Apple.

I have categorized them according to regular iPads, iPad Mini’s iPad as and iPad Pros.

After you read this article, you can make a wise decision to purchase the right iPad for you.

1. List Of Regular iPads

1. iPad – First Generation, 2010

The original iPad was released on April 3, 2010, by Steve Jobs.

It was a stand-out device where people compared it to an iPhone, and some even referred to it as a bigger iPhone. But only the true geeks knew that iPad had become a niche set by the first iPad.

The iPad one included a three-axis accelerometer that enables the device to detect when moved or tilted. It was also powered by the same operating system as iPhone, which allowed it to run the scene apps. but that will

you would be surprised to know that before its official release streaming platform, Netflix even announced that it would extend support for the tablet with its streaming app built from the ground.

The best part was that it set its unique interface elements that complement its mammoth screen.

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 63.3% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 768 x 1024 pixels, 132 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
• Processor: Apple A4 45 nm with 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and PowerVR SGX535 GPU
• RAM: 256MB
• Battery: 6600 mAh
• Camera: N0 CAMERA
• Sound: Speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver

2. iPad 2 – Second Generation, 2011

The second generation of iPad, which was released in 2011, added dual-facing cameras, which allowed users to capture movie snap photos and do video conferencing without needing a separate camera.

This iPad also doubled the processing speed. Which meat games are even more popular than the first one? Thanks to the much more powerful graphics processor.

The iPad 2 was also 33% thinner and 15% lighter than the first generation. Many were elated to know that this iPad gains support for a gyroscope.

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 65.1% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 768 x 1024 pixels, 132 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
• Processor: Apple A5 45 nm with dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU
• RAM: 512MB
• Battery: 6930 mAh
• Camera: 7 MP (rear), VGA (selfie)
• Video: 720p@30fps (rear only)
• Sound: Speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Black, White

3. iPad – Third Generation, 2012

There isn’t much new to say about the third generation of the regular iPad, apart from that Apple dropped the numbering system in the official name.

The “new iPad,” referred to during the announcement, introduced a new display with a new resolution, making it the highest resolution display for a tablet during its release. The processor remained the same, but the graphics chip was updated to help power the new display.

This is also the first iPad that offered 4G compatibility.

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 65.1% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
• Processor: Apple A5X 45 nm with dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and quad-core PowerVR SGX543MP4 GPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Battery: 11560 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP with AF (rear), VGA (selfie)
• Video: 720p@30fps (rear), 480p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Black, White

4. iPad – Fourth Generation, 2012

The 4th generation iPad was a surprise unveiling alongside the iPad mini. By the looks of it, this looks like the other three regular iPads but includes a more powerful processor with a 45-nanometer chipset. This iPad also changed the release cycle of the iPad, which saw its release in either March or April.

Those who had purchased the iPad third-generation criticized Apple’s move to launch a new gadget. They had already got the third generation iPad, launched a few months before the 4th generation iPad.

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 65.1% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A6X 45 nm with dual-core 1.4 GHz CPU and quad-core PowerVR SGX554MP4 GPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Battery: 11560 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP with AF (rear), 1.2 MP with face detection (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@30fps (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Black, White

5. iPad – Fifth Generation, 2017

During the launch of the fifth-generation iPad back in 2017, people were expecting to see a new iPad Air, third-generation, or even a new iPad Pro.

But Apple being Apple, released a slight update to the iPad lineup.

By slight, I mean. That this is an iPad Air two with a tad bit faster processor.

Although by the looks of it. The iPad 5th generation gained about half an inch in thickness and did not have the iPad Air 2’s laminated screen.

The best part about this iPad was its $329 entry-level price tag. I can’t believe Apple did that!

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A9 45 nm with dual-core 1.84 GHz CPU and six-core PowerVR GT7600 GPU
• RAM: 2GB
• Battery: 8827 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 with AF and HDR(rear), 1.2 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@30fps (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray

6. iPad – Sixth Generation, 2018

The iPad sixth-generation, which was released in the 2018 version, was a much-needed refresh. As it added support for the Apple Pencil, the advanced stylist worked with unique controls on the screen that provided enhanced precision and increased productivity in doing daily things.

The new processor 8D8 infusion was the same processor used in the iPhone 7 Series.

Apple did not change the price tag and went a step further and added a slight discount for educational institutions.

Specifications:

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A10 Fusion 16 nm with quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) CPU and six-core PowerVR Series7XT Plus GPU
• RAM: 2GB
• Battery: 8827 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 with AF and HDR(rear), 1.2 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@30fps and 720p@120fps with HDR (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray

7. iPad – Seventh Generation, 2019

The 7th generation iPad, released in 2019, brought a larger 10.2 inches display with 2160 x 1620 pixels and 264 PPI (pixels per inch).

Apple did not change the processor as this one still ran the 810 fusion power with three GB of RAM. And up to 128GB of storage options.

Many people liked this iPad because it was an excellent choice for productivity. Watching multimedia and offered full support for Apple Pencil and smart keyboard.

With the new iPadOS, the seventh-gen iPad supported external storage devices and new multitasking features.

Specifications:

• Display: 10.2 inches, IPS LCD, 74.4% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A10 Fusion 16 nm with quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) CPU and six-core PowerVR Series7XT Plus GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Battery: 8827 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 with AF and HDR(rear), 1.2 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@30fps and 720p@120fps with HDR (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray

8. iPad – Eight Generation, 2020

The 8th generation iPad launched in 2020 got a 10.2-inch retina display that could hit a whopping 500 nits of brightness. Yes, that is a huge deal as many phones can’t reach that peak brightness.

The A 12 bionic processor. Three GB RAM and storage options up to 120 GB. Made sure that this iPad remained the powerhouse of 2020.

Specifications: 

• Display: 10.2 inches, Retina IPS LCD, 74.4% screen-to-body ratio, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A12 Bionic 7 nm with Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Battery: 8827 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 with AF and HDR (rear), 1.2 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@30fps and 720p@120fps with HDR (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray

9. iPad – Ninth Generation, 2021

The ninth-generation iPad was released this year. It offered some meaningful upgrades over the last year. Its new 12-megapixel camera can now take better photos and videos, which is essential for zoom meetings.

There are only two options, storage options to choose from, 64GB or 256GB, but the latter would be sufficient for many people as iCloud storage still serves the purpose.

Specifications:

• Display: 10.2 inches, Retina IPS LCD, 73.8% screen-to-body ratio, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A13 Bionic 7 nm+ with Hexa-core (2×2.65 GHz Lightning + 4×1.8 GHz Thunder) CPU and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Battery: 8827 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 ultrawide with AF and HDR (rear), 1.2 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS and HDR (rear), 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray

2. List Of iPad Minis

1. iPad Mini – First Generation, 2012

The original iPad Mini, which was launched back in 2012, is one of the best-selling iPad models.

Its 7.9-inch display made it slightly larger than the competing tablets with 7-inch displays. It was powered by the Apple 85 with the 45-nanometer chip, the same processor as the iPad second generation.

This iPad Mini came with 4G compatibility and dual-facing cameras and for 329 entry-level models. This was known to be the cheapest and the best iPad anyone could get their hands on.

Specifications: 

• Display: 7.9 inches, IPS LCD, 71.7% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 768 x 1024 pixels, 162 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
• Processor: Apple A5 45 nm with dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU
• RAM: 512MB
• Battery: 4490 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP rear with AF, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Black/Slate, White/Silver

2. iPad Mini – Second Generation, 2013

launched in 2013. The second generation of iPad Mini was slightly underpowered, which shared the same processor and RAM as the second-generation iPad.

Many people thought that the iPad Air, with its $100 less price tag, was better than the iPad mini second generation.

Fun fact: the iPad mini two was also known as the “iPad mini with Retina display.”

Specifications:

• Display: 7.9 inches, IPS LCD, 71.7% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 324 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A7 28 nm with dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone CPU and quad-core PowerVR G6430 GPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Battery: 6470 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray/Black, Silver/White

3. iPad Mini – Third Generation, 2014

The third generation of the iPad mini. It is the same as the second-generation iPad mini but with the Touch ID fingerprint included. The Touch ID was a new form of security that enabled secure iPad to unlock and other activities like purchasing apps and using the newly launched Apple Pay.

Specifications:

• Display: 7.9 inches, IPS LCD, 71.7% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 324 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A7 28 nm with dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone CPU and quad-core PowerVR G6430 GPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Battery: 6470 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray/Black, Silver/White, and Gold

4. iPad Mini – Fourth Generation, 2015

The 4th generation of the iPad Mini was launched alongside the iPad Pro. Many thought the iPad Pro would take the cake, but the iPad Mini was in the spotlight.

Critics commented on the significant improvement over the predecessor as it was pretty similar to the iPad Air 2.

If you want to buy an old iPad mini, the second-generation is only the Mini models that you can get on sale.

Specifications:

• Display: 7.9 inches, IPS LCD, 70.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 324 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A8 20 nm with dual-core 1.5 GHz Typhoon CPU and quad-core PowerVR GX6450 GPU
• RAM: 2GB
• Battery: 5124 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie f/2.2
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

5. iPad Mini – Fifth Generation, 2019

After a gap of four years, the iPad finally released the 5th generation of iPad Mini in 2019.

Its performance scaled up from the last generation as its 7.9 inches Retina Display had a higher resolution panel with 324 pixels per inch.

Its A12 Bionic processor and extra RAM made it a better companion for games, media consumption, and multitasking.

This iPad Mini also gained Apple Pencil support, which further propelled the productivity of this device.

Specifications:

• Display: 7.9 inches, IPS LCD, 70.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 324 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A12 7 nm with Hexa-core (2×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Battery: 5124 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie f/2.2
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

6. iPad Mini – Sixth Generation, 2021

The iPad Mini is now in its 6th generation. Launched a few months ago, it has all the upgrades one would expect as the latest entrant in the established line of devices.

As it is equipped with the A 15 bionic processor, you can expect. Performance boosts in graphical as well as processing power. This means that this iPad Mini is more capable of handling demanding and modern apps than its predecessors.

Apple finally embraced the standard USB type C fort with the sixth generation of the iPad Mini.

The iPad Mini also gained support for second-generation Apple Pencil. A tad bit larger screen and 5G and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility.

Apple says that the iPad Mini 6 is composed of recycled materials, making it more environmentally friendly.

Specifications:

• Display: 8.3 inches Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 70.6% screen-to-body ratio and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels, 327 ppi density
• Security: Side-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A15 Bionic 5 nm with Hexa-core (2×2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz CPU and 5-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 5124 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/2.4 ultrawide rear with and HDR, 12 MP selfie f/2.4
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight

7. iPad – Tenth Generation, 2022

Cupertino giant Apple launched a redesigned 10.9-inch iPad with a Type-C port and four vibrant colors.

The tenth-generation iPad got some meaningful upgrades, such as the A14 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel camera, a Liquid Retina display, fast wireless connectivity, and an all-new Magic Keyboard Folio with function rows.

Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 provides 30% faster connections than the previous models. As for colors, people can choose from the basic Silver, Blue, Yellow, and finally, a Pink shade – the first on a mainstream Apple product.

Regarding storage options, buyers will still have to choose from 64GB or 256GB.

Specifications:

• Display: 10.9 inches, Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 80.5% screen-to-body ratio, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: The power button on the top doubles as a Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A14 Bionic 5 nm with Hexa-core (2×3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4×1.8 GHz Icestorm) and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 8000 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/2.4, 122˚ ultrawide with AF and HDR (rear), 12 MP f/2.2 with face detection and (selfie)
• Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps; 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS and HDR (rear), 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers
• Colors: Silver, Pink, Yellow & Blue

3. List Of iPad Air

1. iPad Air – First Generation, 2013

The first generation of iPad Air was launched in 2013. Eight introduced a 64-bit processor, which many dismissed as a marketing ploy.

But the initial benchmarks made the jump seem worth it.

The iPad Air is a sweet spot between the regular iPad, the iPad Pro, or even the iPad mini.

I mean to say that if you need the look of the iPad Pro but cannot afford it, and you need the budget of the iPad regular iPad, but it looks too outdated. But if you also want a handy device like the iPad Mini; then the iPad Air is the perfect device for many people.

Specifications: 

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 PPI density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A7, 28 nm with dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone CPU and PowerVR G6430 quad-core GPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Battery: 8600 mAh
• Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver

2. iPad Air 2 – Second Generation, 2014

This second generation of iPad Air looked at testing departure for the iPad as the processor, and the feature was similar to the iPhone that launched back in 2014.

The iPad two was powered by Apple’s first Triple-Core processor, making it faster than the iPhone 6. The RAM was also upgraded from 1GB to 2GB.

This iPad can be upgraded to the latest version of the iPad OS.

Specifications: 

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 PPI density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB
• Processor: Apple A8X 20 nm with Triple-core 1.5 GHz Typhoon CPU and PowerVR GXA6850 octa-core GPU
• RAM: 2GB
• Battery: 7340 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR (rear), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold

3. iPad Air – Third Generation, 2019

The iPad Air 2019 sits between the regular iPad and the iPad Mini 5 regarding capability and design.

The button placement, bezels, sleek build, And faster processor made this iPad seem like a must-have device in your bag.

This highly portable machine has a long-lasting battery. Moreover, the 2019 iPad Air also supports Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.

Specifications: 

• Display: 10.5 inches, IPS LCD, 78.3% screen-to-body ratio, True-tone
• Resolution: 1668 x 2224 pixels, 265 PPI density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A12 Bionic 7 nm with Hexa-core CPU and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Battery: 8134 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 7 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR (rear), 1080p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

4. iPad Air – Fourth Generation, 2020

the 4th generation of the iPad Air, which is the latest in terms of Apple’s launch. Was released in 2020. It features. The classic edge-to-edge screen with minimum bezels. The top-mounted fingerprint sensor makes for easy unlocks.

The beautiful 10.9″ liquid retina IPS display with 2360×1640 resolution and A14 bionic processor made this an easy choice for many iPad enthusiasts out there.

It’s a 12-megapixel camera, can record 4K. And the front camera, which is 7 megapixels, is also not bad for selfie photos.

And yes, the iPad Air food utilizes USB C for charging.

Specifications: 

• Display: 10.9 inches Liquid Retina, IPS LCD, Truetone with wide color gamut, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels, 264 PPI density)
• Security: Top-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A14 Bionic 5 nm with Hexa-core CPU and 4-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 7606 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 rear with dual pixel PDAF and HDR, 7 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (rear), 1080p@30/60fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue

5. iPad Air – Fifth Generation, 2022

Apple launched the fifth generation of the iPad Air. If you observe it closely, there isn’t much difference. The bezels are edge-to-edge with the least bezels. Apple also continued the top-mounted fingerprint sensor for this generation.

So then, what’s different? Well, one of the internal specifications matches the iPad Pro variants, and the Cupertino giant included the M1 chip, which was quite shocking.

There’s an ultra-fast 5G and a 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera with Center Stage. The RAM is now doubled from 4GB to 8GB, and the USB-C port is also 2x faster than the previous generation, which means Apple is aiming this device at the professionals. Everything else is unchanged—even the base variant – which sits at 64GB.

The beautiful 10.9″ liquid retina IPS display with 2360×1640 resolution and A14 bionic processor made this an easy choice for many iPad enthusiasts.

Specifications:

• Display: 10.9 inches Liquid Retina, IPS LCD, Truetone with wide color gamut, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels, (264 PPI density)
• Security: Top-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB and 256GB
• Processor: Apple M1 Octa-Core with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine
• RAM: 8GB
• Battery: 8,827 mAh
• Camera: 12MP f/1.8 rear with dual pixel PDAF and HDR, 12MP f/2.4 ultrawide selfie with HDR
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (rear), 1080p@30/60fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, no headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue

4. List iPad Pros

1. iPad Pro 12.9″ – First Generation, 2015

The iPad Pro is a supercharged and super-sized iPad with a bigger screen, more processing power, and everything better in general than the regular or the Mini iPads.

Apple introduced the 12.9 inches variant of the iPad dubbed as “Pro” Back in 2015.

This display easily towers over the 10.9″ iPad Air or the 7.9″ iPad mini.

The. A 9X processor made this iPad twice as powerful as the iPad Air second generation. At the time of its launch, this iPad Pro was known to be faster than most laptops in the market.

2015 12.9″ iPad Pro also gained support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Specifications: 

• Display: 12.9 inches, IPS LCD, 77.0% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Pin, Passcode
• Storage: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A9X 16 nm with Twister dual-core 2.26 GHz CPU and 12-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 10,307 mAh
• Camera: 8 MP f/2.4 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 1080p@30fps 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. (main), 720p@30fps (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

2. iPad Pro 9.7″ – First Generation, 2016

Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro was said to be merely a smaller variant of the 12.9-inch Pro. But that’s far from the truth. This iPad Pro improved upon the display, which added true tone and decreased reflection. In bright light.

Its 12 MP camera took crisp photos, and it was made compatible with Live Photos. Many people were elated to know that the 9.7-inch iPad Pro supported Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Specifications: 

• Display: 9.7 inches, IPS LCD, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio
• Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 264 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A9X 16 nm with Twister dual-core 2.16 GHz CPU and 12-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU
• RAM: 2GB
• Battery: 7306 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/2.2 rear with AF and HDR, 1.2 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold

3. iPad Pro 12.9″ – Second Generation, 2017

The second generation of the 12.9 inches iPad Pro was launched in 2017. This model also added the true tone display, making it the world’s best tablet compatible with a wide color gamut.

This made videos and movies look crisp and fantastic.

With the 120Hz display, everything seems smoother as the graphical transitions look buttery smooth.

The 12-megapixel rear-facing camera was the peak camera in the tablet world.

Specifications:

• Display: 12.9 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 76.4% screen-to-body ratio, and True tone
• Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB
• Processor: Apple A10X Fusion 10 nm with Twister Hexa-core 2.38 GHz (3x Hurricane & 3x Zephyr) CPU and 12-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 10,891 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 rear with AF, OIS, and HDR, 7 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

4. iPad Pro 10.5″ – First Generation, 2017

Apple extended. So iPad Pro from 9.7 to 10.5 inches by half an inch.

Many thought that that was the only difference, but this iPad quickly matched the 2017’s 12.9″ iPad Pro in performance and power, but with a smaller size and slightly lower price.

Specifications:

• Display: 10.5 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 71.6% screen-to-body ratio, and True tone
• Resolution: 1668 x 2224 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Front-mounted Touch ID
• Storage: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• Processor: Apple A10X Fusion 10 nm with Twister Hexa-core 2.38 GHz (3x Hurricane & 3x Zephyr) CPU and 12-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU
• RAM: 4GB
• Battery: 8134 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/2.2 rear with AF, OIS, and HDR, 7 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Rose Gold, Gold, and Silver

5. iPad Pro 12.9″ – Third Generation, 2018

The third generation of the biggest. IPad Pro was launched in 2018, which was known to be a refresh, as it added the support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.

With this generation, Apple ensured that the Pencil connected to the side of the Pro for easy charge and mobility.

Apple shrunk the bezels even further, which gave this iPad a newer look.

This iPad. With the 812 X Bionic chip and neural engine. It was known to be in the same line as that year’s flagship iPhones.

Although a bit late to the party, Apple finally switched to a Type-C connecter with the third generation of the iPad Pro.

Specifications:

• Display: 12.9 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, True tone with a wide color gamut
• Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple A12X Bionic 7 nm with Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 7-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 4GB (6GB for 1TB model)
• Battery: 10,891 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 rear with AF, PDAF, and HDR, 7 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold

6. iPad Pro 11″ – First Generation, 2018

The 12.9 inches iPad. Was. Too much – many complained.

So, Apple launched an 11 inch iPad Pro with all the bells and whistles of its elder sibling but being only an inch smaller than it.

The 11 inch iPad has the same CPU camera setup. And M12 c0processor as the 2018 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Apart from a lower price point (almost $200) and a lower display resolution, the smaller size is the only difference between the two Pro models.

Specifications:

• Display: 11 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, Truetone with wide color gamut, and 500 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple A12X Bionic 7 nm with Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 7-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 4GB (6GB for 1TB model)
• Battery: 7812 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 with AF, PDAF, and HDR (rear), 7 MP (selfie)
• Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray and Silver

7. iPad Pro 12.9″ – Fourth Generation, 2020

The 4th generation of the 12.9 inches iPad Pro was not that different from its predecessor as it focused on art, multitasking, and general productivity.

Its A12Z Bionic chip powered both the 12.9 inch and 11 inch iPad Pros with a buttery smooth 120 HZ high refresh display that made entertainment more enjoyable along with a (near) theater-like experience.

The iOS 13.4 update made this iPad more interesting as it improved productivity with its multitasking features.

The Magic keyboard is truly magical as it is the first trackpad designed for an iPad with a Type C port. The cursor is better than most Windows laptops.

Specifications: 

• Display: 12.9 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, Truetone with a wide color gamut, and 600 nits brightness
• Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple A12Z Bionic with Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 8-core PowerVR Series 7 GPU
• RAM: 6GB
• Battery: 9720 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 7 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (main), 1080p@30fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray and Silver

8. iPad Pro 11″ – Second Generation, 2020

The second-generation iPad Pro 11″ took design cues and features from the 12.9″ iPad Pro, and that wasn’t necessarily bad. With second-generation Apple Pencil support and minimal bezels, the screen size screams productive.

It would almost be criminal not to use this phrase for artistic work.

Apple also extended the support for Magic Keyboard, cursor, and USB type C for the 11″ iPad Pro.

The cursor works exceptionally well, as it blends with the user interface.

Specifications: 

• Display: 11 inches, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, Truetone with wide color gamut, and 600 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple A12X Bionic 7 nm with Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Vortex + 4×1.6 GHz Tempest) CPU and 7-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 6GB
• Battery: 7538 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF wide + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 7 MP f/2.2 selfie
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (main), 1080p@30/60fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray and Silver

9. iPad Pro M1 12.9″ – Fifth Generation, 2021

Well, what can I say?

2021 proved to be a magical year for Apple as the launch of the iPhone 13 Series, the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models, and the iPad Pros proved to be successful.

This year, Apple added its M1 processor into the iPad Pros.

Those who have used the 2020 M1 MacBook Air from last year know that this is a beast of a chipset.

So expect nothing less of a performance powerhouse from this iPad.

Its mini-LED display, high resolution, and rich color contrast make it the best content consumption (and graphic-designing) machine.

This year’s iPad also added support for 2TB of storage coupled with 16GB RAM.

Specifications: 

• Display: 12.9 inches, Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, Truetone with a wide color gamut, and 1600 nits peak brightness
• Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
• Processor: Apple M1 with Octa-core CPU and 8-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 8GB (16GB for 1TB & 2TB models)
• Battery: 7600 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 12 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (main), 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers NO headphone jack
• Colors: Silver and Space Gray

10. iPad Pro M1 11″ – Third Generation, 2021

The third generation of the iPad Pro 11″ was also launched with Apple’s M1 silicon.

The only thing – or two – missing from this iPad is the mini-LED display and a slightly bigger size. The rest expect the rest to be the same as a 12.9 inches M1 iPad Pro.

Proud to own this little guy!

Specifications:

• Display: 11 inches, Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, True tone with wide color gamut, and 600 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels, 265 ppi density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple M1 with Octa-core CPU and 8-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 8GB (16GB for 1TB & 2TB models)
• Battery: 7538 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF wide + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 12 MP f/2.2 selfie
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS (main), 1080p@30/60fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray and Silver

11. iPad Pro M2 12.9″ – Sixth Generation, 2022

Apple announced the sixth generation of the iPad Pro 12.9 inch with the M2 chip, which amalgamates a versatile portable machine that rivals desktop performance.

The new hardware is still in the chassis of the 2018 iPad Pro, so telling apart iPads from a few years ago would be arduous. But there are some new features that the tech pundits are gushing about: Apple Pencil hover experience that shows you where the pointer is, iPhone’s ProRes video capture, and of course, the M2 chip, which Apple claims is up to 15% faster than M1.

Specifications:

• Display: 12.9 inches, Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, Truetone with a wide color gamut, and 1600 nits peak brightness
• Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels, 265 PPI density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
• Processor: Apple M2 with Octa-core CPU and 10-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 8GB (16GB for 1TB & 2TB models)
• Battery: 10758 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 12 MP selfie
• Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, Cinematic mode (4K, 1080p), ProRes (main), 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Silver and Space Gray

12. iPad Pro M2 11″ – Fourth Generation, 2022

The 11″ iPad Pro also got the M2 treatment in the familiar form factor. This fourth generation of the 11″ iPad Pro has the M2 chip, which makes way for features of 100GB/s of unified memory bandwidth.

Like the M1 iPad Pros, the 2022 Pro models support up to 16GB of fast unified memory, so multitasking is a breeze. The Apple Pencil hover feature is present here too, which detects up to 12 mm above the display. This allows users to see a preview of their pencils.

Specifications:

• Display: 11 inches, Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, True tone with wide color gamut, and 600 nits brightness
• Resolution: 1668 x 2388 pixels, 265 PPI density
• Security: Face ID
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Processor: Apple M2 with Octa-core CPU and 10-core Apple GPU
• RAM: 8GB (16GB for 1TB & 2TB models)
• Battery: 7538 mAh
• Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 dual pixel PDAF wide + 10 MP, f/2.4 ultrawide (rear) with TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), 12 MP f/2.2 selfie
• Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, Cinematic mode (4K, 1080p), ProRes (main), 1080p@30/60fps with HDR (selfie)
• Sound: Stereo speakers, NO headphone jack
• Colors: Space Gray and Silver

FAQs

Are iPads worth the money?

Yes, if you have a use case for it. If you have an iPhone and a MacBook Pro but need a sweet spot, then iPad is it. Avoid spending if you don’t have any special usage for that bigger display.

How many iPads are there in 2021?

There are 29 iPads, including nine regular iPads, 6 iPad Minis, 4 iPad Airs, and 10 iPad Pros.

Complete list of iPads, release year, and current iOS / iPad Os version they can run. With the newest 10.2″ and 8.2″ iPads released in September 2021, Apple now has released a total of 29 different iPads, and it’s getting harder to keep them straight.

What’s the difference between an iPad and an iPad Pro?

The most significant difference between an iPad and an iPad Pro is that the latter’s processor is the latest, has a 120Hz display, and has more storage and RAM. Also, buy any new iPad Pro model and get an all-screen design with Face ID.

Are iPads good for photography?

No, iPads aren’t exactly the best devices for capturing photos. Even though they are equipped with cameras similar to what you find on an iPhone, they want decent jobs. But it’s great for viewing the videos that you click on your iPhone or iPad, for that matter. If you are someone in the real estate business and need to show people many houses or something on a similar path,  then an iPad is an excellent choice.

Why is it called iPad Air?

iPad Air is the sweet spot between the regular iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Pro. So if you don’t have Pro usage but want a larger screen with a modern design, then the iPad Air is the device for you.

Which is the best iPad?

If you want the best iPad and money is no issue for you, then go for the 12.9″ iPad Pro M1 fifth-generation (2021). It’s genuinely the best right now.

Wrapping it up

These are the iPad models of their generation.

iPads sit somewhere between an iPhone and a laptop. And they are amazingly mobile and can function according to need with the help of the right accessories.

The twenty 2112.9 inches M1 iPad is the most powerful. True, even more powerful than some Windows laptops. Many YouTubers use iPad Pro with a keyboard and a mouse, mainly for editing videos and writing scripts.

I can understand that many of you can get confused when choosing by a new gadget. I went through the same four months ago when I was planning on gifting my mother an iPad. At last, I settled on an 11″ M1 iPad Pro as it can last for a long time.

Before buying an iPad, I would advise you to sit down and note down your requirements. An iPad mini can act as a great teleprompter for those who want to rehearse scripts.

The regular iPad or the iPad Air is a good option for those on a budget, but if money is no issue for you and you want the best, then the 11″ or 12.9″ iPad Pros are worth a look.