The iPad Comparison Chart

Compare all models of the iPad

by Daniel Nations
Updated November 21, 2019

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. The iPad lineup is now broken into the Pro level of tablets to go along with the basic iPad models.  

Person deciding between several iPad models
 Lifewire / Jo Zixuan Zhou

The iPad Pro

The iPad Pro introduced the world to the 12.9-inch iPad display, and the newest iPad Pro has ditched the Home Button in favor of Face ID, which is powered by facial recognition. The move to Face ID means the latest iPads combine large, beautiful displays with a slimmer form factor. They also support a second generation Apple Pencil and include a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector.

The iPad and the iPad Mini 4

Apple replaced the iPad Air 2 with the iPad, which is often referred to by the year it was released. The latest version is called the iPad (2018) and is the cheapest iPad at $329. This is the iPad designed for everyday use around the house and is great for kids. The iPad Mini 4 also remains in production, but the iPad Mini 4 may not be the best iPad to buy when you consider its smaller size, slower processor and higher price tag when compared to the 2018 iPad, it may be better to go with the 9.7-inch model or buy a used iPad.

Current iPad Lineup Comparison

If you plan on purchasing a brand new iPad, this chart represents the iPad models currently for sale. It is worth noting that the iPad Mini 4 has not been updated since 2015.

Feature 12.9 iPad Pro (2018) 11 iPad Pro (2018) 9.7 iPad (2018) iPad Mini 4
Entry Price: $799 $649 $329 $399
CPU: A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine 2.34 Ghz Quad-Core 64-bit Apple A10 Fusion 1.5 Ghz 64-bit Apple A8
Motion Processor: YES YES YES YES
Resolution: 2732x2048 2388x1668 2048x1536 2048x1536
Security: Face ID Face ID Touch ID Touch ID
Display: 12.9-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone 11-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone 9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit 7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit
Graphics: Apple Designed 7-core Apple Designed 7-core PowerVR 7XT GT7600 Plus PowerVR GX6450
Memory: 4 GB / 6 GB 4 GB / 6 GB 2 GB 2 GB
Storage: 64 GB,256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB 64 GB,256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB 32, 128 GB 128 GB
Rear Camera: iSight 12 MP with 4K video support iSight 12 MP with 4K video support iSight 8 MP iSight 8 MP
Front Camera: 7 MP with Retina Flash 7 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
Connectivity: USB-C USB-C Lightning, Apple Smart Lightning,
Apple Pencil: Gen 2 Gen 2 Original Apple Pencil N/A
GPS: 4G Version Only 4G Version Only 4G Version Only 4G Version Only

iPad Pro Comparison

The following chart iterates the differences between the older lineup of iPad Pro models that are not currently available new. However, you can buy these models from the refurbished Apple store.

Feature 12.9 iPad Pro 2 10.5 iPad Pro 2 12.9 iPad Pro 9.7 iPad Pro
Entry Price: n/a n/a n/a n/a
CPU: 6-Core 2.93 Ghz 64-bit A10X 6-Core 2.93 Ghz 64-bit A10X Dual-Core 2.26 Ghz 64-bit A9X Dual-Core 2.16 Ghz 64-bit A9X
Motion Processor: Included in A9X Included in A9X YES YES
Resolution: 2732x2048 2048x1536 2732x2048 2048x1536
Touch ID: YES YES YES YES
Display: 12.9-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone 10.5-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone 12.9-inch IPS LED-backlit 9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit with TrueTone
Graphics: PowerVR Series 7XT PowerVR Series 7XT PowerVR Series 7XT PowerVR Series 7XT
Memory: 4 GB 4 GB 4GB 2 GB
Storage: 64,128, 256 GB 64, 128, 256 GB 32, 128 GB 16, 128 GB
Rear Camera: iSight 12 MP with 4K video support iSight 12 MP with 4K video support iSight 8 MP iSight 12 MP with 4K video support
Front Camera: 7 MP with Retina Flash 7 MP with Retina Flash 720p 5 MP with Retina Flash
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

9.7-inch Model Comparison

The most recent version of the 9.7-inch iPad was released in 2018 and supports the Apple Pencil. It also has an upgraded processor compared to the 2017 model but is otherwise functionally the same. You can still buy the other 9.7-inch models including the Air and Air 2 used and get a great deal. 

Feature

iPad (2018)

iPad (2017)

iPad Air 2

iPad Air

iPad 4

Entry Price:

$329

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

CPU:

2.34 Ghz Quad-Core 64-bit Apple A10 Fusion

1.85 Ghz Dual-Core 64-bit Apple A9

1.5 Ghz Tri-Core 64-bit Apple A8X

1.4 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7

1.4 Ghz Apple A6X

Motion Processor:

YES

YES

YES

YES

NO

Resolution:

2048x1536

2048x1536

2048x1536

2048x1536

2048x1536

Touch ID:

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

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

9.7-inch IPS LED-backlit

Graphics:

PowerVR 7XT GT7600 Plus

PowerVR GT7600

PowerVR GX6650

PowerVR G6430

PowerVR G6430

Memory:

2 GB

2 GB

2 GB

1 GB

1 GB

Storage:

32, 128 GB

32, 128 GB

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

16, 32, 64, 128 GB

16, 32, 64 GB

Rear Camera:

iSight 8 MP

iSight 8 MP

iSight 8 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/ac

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

802.11 a/b/g/n

802.11 a/b/g/n

MIMO:

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

Bluetooth:

4.2

4.2

4

4

4

Barometer:

YES

YES

NO

NO

NO

GPS:

4G Version Only

4G Version Only

4G Version Only

4G Version Only

4G Version Only

iPad Mini Comparison

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 mini 4 iPad mini 3 iPad mini 2 iPad mini
Entry Price: $399 n/a n/a n/a
CPU: 1.5 Ghz 64-bit Apple A8 1.29 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7 1.29 Ghz 64-bit Apple A7 1 Ghz Dual-Core Apple A5
Motion Processor: M8 M7 M7 None
Resolution: 2048x1536 2048x1536 2048x1536 1024x768
Touch ID: YES YES NO NO
Display: 7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit 7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit 7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit 7.9-inch IPS LED-backlit
Graphics: PowerVR GX6450 PowerVR GX6430 PowerVR GX6430 PowerVR SGX543MP2
Memory: 2 GB 1 GB 1 GB 512 MB
Storage: 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
Front Camera: 720p 720p 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 802.11 a/b/g/n 802.11 a/b/g/n
MIMO: YES YES YES NO
Bluetooth: 4 4 4 4
Barometer: NO NO NO NO
GPS: 4G Version Only 4G Version Only 4G Version Only 4G Version Only

Obsolete iPad Models

While the original iPad Mini is included for comparison, it is actually obsolete. This doesn't mean it isn't still a useful tablet, but it no longer supports the latest operating system from Apple. The following iPad models are also obsolete:

  • The iPad 4
  • The iPad 3
  • The iPad 2
  • The Original iPad
  • The Original iPad Mini