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 newest iPad Pro models also include a better camera and a "True Tone" display, which supports a wider gamut of colors than most tablets. The 10.5-inch iPad debuted alongside the upgrade 12.9-inch iPad Pro, bringing an extra screen size to the line up.

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 Pro Comparison:

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

 

Feature	12.9 iPad Pro 2	10.5 iPad Pro 2	12.9 iPad Pro	9.7 iPad Pro
Entry Price:	$799	$649	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
Buy Now:			Buy from Amazon	Buy from Amazon

9.7-inch Model Comparison:

The most recent version of the 9.7-inch iPad is the "5th Generation" model, which is also sometimes called the iPad 2017.

For the most part, it is an iPad Air 2 with a slightly faster processor. You can still buy the other 9.7-inch models including the Air and Air 2 used and get a great deal.  

Feature	iPad (2017)	iPad Air 2	iPad Air	iPad 4
Entry Price:	$329	n/a	n/a	n/a
CPU:	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	xxx
Motion Processor:	YES	YES	YES	NO
Resolution:	2048x1536	2048x1536	2048x1536	2048x1536
Touch ID:	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
Graphics:	PowerVR GT7600	PowerVR GX6650	PowerVR G6430	PowerVR G6430
Memory:	2 GB	2 GB	1 GB	1 GB
Storage:	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 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/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n
MIMO:	YES	YES	YES	YES
Bluetooth:	4	4	4	4
Barometer:	YES	NO	NO	NO
GPS:	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only	4G Version Only
Buy Now:		Buy From Amazon

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:	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
CPU:	xxx	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
Buy Now:	Buy Now	N/A	N/A	N/A

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

Is your iPad obsolete? Find out if your current iPad is ready for an update.

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