The iPad Comparison Chart

The iPad has consistently been the best of the best in the world of tablets. Each new release seems to set a new threshold, with the latest iPad Pro rivaling the power of most laptops. But while it is easy to choose an iPad, it is not so easy to narrow that choice down to a specific iPad. There is now a "Pro" level of iPad to go alongside the "Air" and "mini", and in an industry that often thinks smaller is better, a new 12.9-inch iPad has been added alongside the 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch models.

The iPad Pro

The iPad Pro introduced the world to the 12.9-inch iPad display. But the display isn't the only feature that distinguishes the Pro from earlier iPad releases. It is powered by a processor that rivals most laptops, includes 4 GB of RAM memory for fast multitasking and supports the new Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard accessories.

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro also includes a better camera and a "True Tone" display. The smaller Pro only has 2 GB of RAM memory but is just as powerful as the 12.9-inch iPad.

The iPad and the iPad Mini 4

Apple replaced the iPad Air 2 with the "iPad", which is officially known as the iPad 5th generation.  However, despite the truncated name, the newest iPad is really just an iPad Air 2 with a slightly faster processor and slightly cheaper price tag.  This makes it a great deal for anyone wanting to jump into the iPad experience without paying iPad Pro prices.   

The iPad Mini 4 remains in production, but when you consider it's smaller size, slower processor and higher price tag when compared to the 5th generation iPad, it may be better to buy a used iPad Mini 4 or shop the refurbished section of the Apple website. 

Pro Tip: How to Buy a Cheap iPad

iPad Comparison:

The following chart iterates the differences between the current lineup of iPad models available from the Apple store.

 

Feature	12.9 iPad Pro	9.7 iPad Pro	iPad (5th Gen)	iPad mini 4
Entry Price:	$799	$599	$329	$399
CPU:	Dual-Core 64-bit A9X	Dual-Core 64-bit A9X	1.85 Ghz Dual-Core 64-bit Apple A9	1.5 Ghz Dual-Core 64-bit Apple A8
Motion Processor:	Included in A9X	Included in A9X	M8	M8
Resolution:	2732x2048	2048x1536	2048x1536	2048x1536
Touch ID:	YES	YES	YES	YES
Display:	12.9-inch IPS LED-backlit	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit
Graphics:	PowerVR Series 7XT	PowerVR Series 7XT	PowerVR GT7600	PowerVR GX6450
Memory:	4 GB	2 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Storage:	32,128 GB	32,128 GB	32, 128 GB	16, 128 GB
Rear Camera:	iSight 8 MP	iSight 12 MP with 4K video support	iSight 8 MP	iSight 8 MP
Front Camera:	720p	5 MP with Retina Flash	720p	720p
Data Rate:	4G LTE	4G LTE	4G LTE	4G LTE
Wi-Fi:	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
MIMO:	YES	YES	YES	YES
Bluetooth:	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.2
Siri:	YES	YES	YES	YES
Barometer:	YES	YES	YES	YES
GPS:	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only
Buy Now:	Buy from Amazon	Buy from Amazon	N/A	Buy From Amazon

Recently Discontinued Models:

While Apple no longer manufactures these models and they are no longer for sale on Apple's website, they may still be found in stores. However, you may be able to get a good price for these models by buying a used iPad.

 

Feature	iPad Air 2	iPad Air	iPad mini 3	iPad mini 2	iPad mini
Entry Price:	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
CPU:	1.5 Ghz Tri-Core 64-bit Apple A8X	1.4 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7	1.29 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7	1.29 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7	1 Ghz Dual-Core Apple A5
Motion Processor:	M7	M7	M7	M7	None
Resolution:	2048x1536	2048x1536	2048x1536	2048x1536	1024x768
Touch ID:	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Display:	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit	7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit	7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit
Graphics:	PowerVR GX6650	PowerVR G6430	PowerVR G6430	PowerVR G6430	PowerVR SGX543MP2
Memory:	2 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	512 MB
Storage:	16, 32, 64, 128 GB	16, 32, 64, 128 GB	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32, 64 GB
Rear Camera:	iSight 8 MP	iSight 5 MP	iSight 5 MP	iSight 5 MP	iSight 5 MP
Front Camera:	720p	720p	720p	720p	720p
Data Rate:	4G LTE	4G LTE	4G LTE	4G LTE	4G LTE
Wi-Fi:	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n
MIMO:	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO
Bluetooth:	4	4	4	4	4
Siri:	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Barometer:	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
GPS:	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only
Buy Now:	Buy From Amazon	N/A	Buy From Amazon	Buy From Amazon	N/A

Older iPad Models:

It can also be helpful to compare older models when you are buying a used iPad. This chart will help you tell the difference between some of the older models using the new iPad Air as a comparison model.

Feature	iPad	iPad 2	iPad 3	iPad 4
Entry Price:	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
CPU:	1 Ghz Dual-Core Apple A4	1 Ghz Dual-Core Apple A5	1 Ghz Dual-Core Apple A5X	1.4 Ghz Dual-Core A6X
Motion Processor:	None	None	None	None
Resolution:	1024x768	1024x768	2048x1536	2048x1536
Display:	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit	9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit
Graphics:	PowerVR SGX535	PowerVR SGX543MP2	PowerVR SGX543MP4	PowerVR G6430
Memory:	256 MB	512 MB	1 GB	1 GB
Storage:	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32, 64 GB	16, 32, 64, 128 GB
Rear Camera:	None	720p	iSight 5 MP	iSight 5 MP
Front Camera:	None	VGA	720p	720p
Data Rate:	3G	3G	4G LTE	4G LTE
Wi-Fi:	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n
MIMO:	No	No	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth:	2.1 + EDR	2.1 + EDR	4	4
Siri:	NO	NO	YES	YES
GPS:	3G Version Only	3G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only

 

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