- Apple sells four different versions of the iPad, making it difficult to know which ones are the newest.
- The latest iPad and iPad Air launched in the fall of 2020, while the most recent iPad Pro debuted in March 2020.
- The iPad Mini model that Apple currently sells is from March 2019.
- You can also check out our iPad buying guide for more advice on which iPad to buy.
Apple has released a lot of iPads over the years, and not every retailer makes it clear which model is newest. Since Apple doesn't use numbers to differentiate new iPad generations from previous ones as it does with the iPhone, it can be difficult to know whether the iPad you're about to add to your cart is actually the latest one.
Last year was a big year for the iPad considering Apple launched three new models. It released a new version of the iPad Air that costs $599 and greatly resembles the iPad Pro, a speedier version of its entry-level $329 iPad, and a refreshed iPad Pro with a faster processor and more advanced camera system. The iPad Mini, on the other hand, was last updated in 2019.
Here's a closer look at the latest iPad models from Apple.
10.2-inch iPad 8th generation (2020)
The standard iPad is in its 8th generation, and latest model came out in September 2020.
It boasts a 10.2-inch touchscreen, an A12 Fusion processor and an embedded M10 co-processor, as well as 32GB of storage space on the basic model. It's certainly enough to get you through your basic needs, though you may want to upgrade to a bit more storage space if you're planning on using the iPad to download a lot of videos, store many pictures, or play a lot of games.
At Apple's $329 price, this is the cheapest current iPad you can buy. We've rated it as the best iPad for most people in our buyers guide because of its affordable price, smooth performance, and great overall value.
Like the most recent iPad Mini, the most recent iPad also offers first-generation Apple Pencil compatibility. Unfortunately, it doesn't support mouse input.
Check out our full review of the 10.2-inch iPad.
iPad Air 4th generation (2020)
Apple's newest iPad Air, which is now in its fourth generation, was announced in September 2020 and launched in October 2020. It has a large 10.9-inch Retina touchscreen and a powerful A14 Bionic processor, the same chip that powers the iPhone 12.
This iPad is a middle ground between the iPad and iPad Pro. It inherits many of the iPad Pro's characteristics, like a nearly borderless screen, a more modern design with flat edges and no home button, compatibility with Apple's newest accessories, and a USB-C port instead of Lightning for charging.
With a starting price of $599, it's somewhat expensive but is generally within the price range of premium tablets from Samsung and others. This is the iPad to get if you want a tablet that's more powerful and light with a better screen compared to the regular iPad, but don't need the extras that come with the Pro model's higher price.
Check out our full review of the iPad Air.
iPad Mini 5th generation (2019)
The most recent iPad Mini is the 5th-generation model that was released in March 2019. It features a 7.9-inch touchscreen, as well as an A12 Bionic processor and 64GB of storage in the most basic model. The chip powering the iPad Mini is the same one found in Apple's iPhone XS lineup from 2018.
You'll be well-equipped to download plenty of games and movies, and this Mini also offers compatibility with Apple's Smart Keyboard and first-generation Apple Pencil. It's more expensive than the 10.2-inch iPad at $399 — a price that some might justify for its extra portability and storage.
Check out our full review of the iPad Mini.
iPad Pro 4th generation (2020)
The iPad Pro is the most premium tablet in Apple's iPad series. Because it has performance that's similar to that of a laptop, the iPad Pro is priced like a laptop. The 11-inch model starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch version starts at $999.
The biggest update to come to the 2020 iPad Pro compared to the 2018 model is its LiDAR sensor. This scanner can detect depth by measuring how long it takes for light to reflect back from an object, and it's also present in Apple's iPhone 12 Pro.
Apple initially positioned its LiDAR sensor as being useful for improving the performance in augmented reality apps since it can help the device detect surfaces more quickly and accurately. But it can also be useful for photography and accessibility-oriented features that require depth sensing.
The other big differences between the 2018 iPad Pro and the 2020 models are the new iPad Pro's faster A12Z Bionic processor and its second camera lens. The new iPad Pros have a 12-megapixel standard lens and a 10-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens for capturing a broader field of view.
And of course, the iPad Pro is designed to work well with Apple's keyboard and Pencil accessories, although these additions do drive up the overall price significantly.
Check out our full review of the iPad Pro.