iPad in 2026: Which One You Choose || A Complete Buyer’s Guide

Ahsan Habib May 15, 2020

0 523 8 minutes read

iPad in 2026: Which One You Choose || A Complete Buyer's Guide
iPad Models: Historical Context for 2026
Apple iPad (7th Gen, 10.2-Inch, 2019)
Apple iPad Air (3rd Gen, 10.5-Inch, 2019)
Apple iPad Mini (5th Gen, 7.9-Inch, 2019)
Apple iPad Pro (2nd Gen 11 or 4th Gen 12.9-inch, 2020)
Which ‌iPad‌ Should You Buy in 2026? (Considering Historical Context)

Updated for 2026: This article has been refreshed to provide current context and advice, while preserving the original insights and product links from its initial publication. Please note that the specific iPad models discussed below are older generations, and Apple’s lineup has evolved significantly since then.

Maybe you are a student interested in taking your faculty notes in a single device rather than keeping separate handwritten ones for every subject. Or, you are a professional creator, like an artist or a sound producer who is looking for a capable machine to fill up your daily needs. Or even, you are just looking for a device for your day-to-day media consumption, social-networking and few office work like checking email, doing a little spreadsheets, etc.

Since when Apple has introduced their iPad lineup, They have insisted on this device to be a replacement for PC. They were right in some part, as the hardware was definitely capable but it was the software where they fell in a little short. But, in late 2019, with the introduction of iPad OS 13 (A feature-rich OS derived from iOS 13) It all changed and It is just a few steps away from being a complete replacement of a PC. (Note: iPadOS has seen many significant updates since 2019, further enhancing its capabilities by 2026).

So, Which iPad in 2026 you may ask. In this post, I’ll guide you by comparing the variants that were popular in the original publication year, and hopefully, by the end of this post, you will be able to get a discreet idea of how the lineup has evolved and what to consider now.

iPad Models: Historical Context for 2026

“Picking up an iPad must be easy” you might think. This section reflects the Apple iPad lineup as it stood in May of 2023, which included several models originally launched in 2019 and 2020. As of 2026, these specific models are several generations old and are primarily available on the refurbished or used market. For your convenience, we won’t be covering even older generations. The models discussed below were:

→ Apple iPad (7th Gen, 10.2”, 2019) also known as iPad Student Edition (the 2026 successor, likely the 10th or 11th Gen, is significantly more powerful and worth considering)

→ Apple iPad Air (3rd Gen, 10.5”, 2019) (the 2026 successor, likely the M2 or M3 Air, offers vastly superior performance and features)

→ Apple iPad Mini (5th Gen, 7.9”, 2019) (the 2026 successor, likely the 7th Gen, provides a modern chip and design)

→ Apple iPad Pro (2nd Gen 11” or 4th Gen 12.9”, 2020) (the 2026 successor, likely featuring an M3 or M4 chip, represents a massive leap in power and display technology)

Let’s have a look at what each of these older models had to offer and which one was best for users at the time of their release.

Apple iPad (7th Gen, 10.2-Inch, 2019):

Apple’s top-budget tablet at the time was a petite refresh of the iPad (6th generation) 9.7 inch, launched in 2018. Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and smart keyboards were supported, though Apple didn’t update the processor from the A10 Fusion chip. While it ran most apps and games without much problem in its era, the A10 Fusion chip is now quite dated in 2026. We did like a small 0.5-inch alley of screen size from 9.7 inches to 10.2 (half an inch long to compensate). The only downside was that like the 2018 iPad, it had a bit more air gap (space between glass and screen) than the iPad Air, Mini, and Pro, so it wasn’t our top choice for drawing with pencil, although it was consistent and worked just fine.

The 7th Gen 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ originally started at $329 for the Wi-Fi-only model. This ‌iPad‌ was perfect if you were on a budget; moreover, this model was popular in the education field. As of 2026, this model is primarily found on the used or refurbished market, with prices varying significantly. (The 2026 successor, likely the 10th or 11th Gen, is significantly more powerful and worth considering for new purchases).

Another feature (even though you had to pay an extra buck for this) that added a lot more value to this iPad was the inclusion of a smart connector. With this smart connector, you could easily add a keyboard & trackpad combo just like the Logitech Combo Touch and make it a fully-fledged go to power device for your works.

Logitech Combo Touch was a great accessory for this iPad 10.2 inch

Key features (7th Gen, 2019 model):

A 10.2-inch Retina display
A10 Fusion chip
Home button with ‌Touch ID
Compatible with first-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌
Compatible with Smart Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboard
Colors include: silver, space gray, and gold

Check out the latest price of iPad 10.2 inch (7th gen)

Apple iPad Air (3rd Gen, 10.5-Inch, 2019):

The Apple iPad Air (3rd Gen, 10.5-Inch, 2019) featured a faster A12 Bionic processor in the body of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which debuted in 2017. It had the same height and width of the 7th Gen iPad (10.2 inch), but it was thinner than that model (6.1mm compared to 7.5mm) benefiting from the laminated display. If you were a fan of Touch ID, then a big good news for you was that it still had a home button and fingerprint sensor. It was compatible with the standard Apple Pencil (1st Gen), and its layered screen kept the glass closer to the pixels than the standard iPad, making it more pleasant to draw or write. Apple’s smart keyboard could snap into it.

The 10.5-inch ‌iPad‌ Air’s price originally started at $499 for Wi-Fi-only models. Apple’s ‌iPad‌ Air was the perfect mid-tier option with excellent screen size, speedier internals, and first-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ support. As of 2026, this model is primarily found on the used or refurbished market, with prices varying significantly. (The 2026 successor, likely the M2 or M3 Air, offers vastly superior performance and features for new purchases).

Key features (3rd Gen, 2019 model):

Fully laminated 10.5-inch Retina display
A12 Bionic chip
Compatible with first-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌
‌Touch ID‌
Compatible with ‌Smart Keyboard‌ and Bluetooth keyboards
Colors include: silver, space gray, and gold

Check out the latest price of Apple iPad Air (10.5-Inch, 2019)

Apple iPad Mini (5th Gen, 7.9-Inch, 2019):

Side by Side Comparison of the iPad Pro (Left) and the iPad Mini (Right)

It took a few years, but finally, Apple updated the iPad mini with a fast new A12 Bionic processor. Outside of the Speed Bump, it was almost identical to the older iPad Mini 4 – although it started with 64GB of base storage. The large drawing was the 8-inch screen, suitable for small hands and travel. It’s thin, layered display made it an ideal tablet. Thanks to Apple for new Pencil (1st Gen) support for it. But one thing to keep in mind was that, it didn’t support any smart accessories due to the lack of a smart connector. The ‌iPad‌ mini’s starting price was $399 for Wi-Fi-only models. As of 2026, this model is primarily found on the used or refurbished market, with prices varying significantly. (The 2026 successor, likely the 7th Gen, provides a modern chip and design for new purchases).

Key features (5th Gen, 2019 model):

Fully laminated 7.9-inch Retina display
Compatible with first-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌
A12 Bionic chip
Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards
Touch ID‌
Colors include: silver, space gray, and gold

Check out the latest price of Apple iPad Mini (7.9-Inch, 2019)

Apple iPad Pro (2nd Gen 11 or 4th Gen 12.9-inch, 2020):

If you were looking for a portable workstation power in 2020, the iPad Pro models from that year might have been of interest to you. These tablets were updated in March 2020 with improved camera capabilities and more. These iPads were almost one step ahead of the iPad Air in every way, starting with rounded angles and advanced “liquid retina” display of promotion technology powered by the A12Z chip. The A12Z chip, while powerful for its time, has been significantly surpassed by Apple’s M-series chips in the 2026 iPad Pro models.

It also had dual rear cameras (12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide) and a LiDar (light detection and ranging) scanner which measures distance by determining how long it takes light to reach an object and reflect back. LIDER scanner was used by NASA for the Mars landing mission. This camera setup made this iPad the best device available for augmented reality in its time. You’ll also find support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is magnetically attached to the iPad Pro and charges Wirelessly. This model also supported the newly released Magic Keyboard featuring a floating mechanism and the new scissor switches. The starting price for the smaller 11-inch model was $799 and $999 for the 12.9-inch model. As of 2026, this model is primarily found on the used or refurbished market, with prices varying significantly. (The 2026 successor, likely featuring an M3 or M4 chip, represents a massive leap in power and display technology, making it the top choice for new purchases).

Key features (2nd Gen 11 or 4th Gen 12.9-inch, 2020 model):

11-inch and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina displays
A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Face ID
Compatible with Magic, ‌Smart‌ Folio, and Bluetooth keyboards
Compatible with second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌
USB-C connector
Colors include: silver and space gray

Check out the latest price of Apple iPad Pro (11 or 12.9-inch, 2020)

Which ‌iPad‌ Should You Buy in 2026? (Considering Historical Context)

While the models discussed above were excellent choices in their time, the iPad lineup has advanced considerably by 2026. If you are a student with a small budget who just wants to experience the Apple ecosystem, the *current* entry-level iPad (likely 10th or 11th Gen) is the best choice for new purchases. The older 10.2” models might still be found refurbished, but they offer significantly less performance and features compared to modern options.

If portability is your main concern, have a look at the *current* ‌iPad‌ mini (likely 7th Gen). Its small size and powerful hardware will satisfy those who have small hands or want a device that they can carry around and read books. The older 5th Gen Mini is now quite dated.

If you want a great iPad without spending a whole lot of money, then the *current* iPad Air (likely M2 or M3 Air) is probably for you. It’s average size with some extra features and capabilities than the entry-level iPad will provide a great experience. The older 3rd Gen Air is no longer a competitive option for new buyers.

Apple’s high-end iPads are in a category of their own, and it also shows in the price. This model is for you if you’re a pro-level user or want the best tablet out there and don’t mind the cost. The *current* iPad Pro (likely with an M3 or M4 chip) with the latest iPadOS has truly blurred the line between PC and mobile device. You can do the basic tasks of a computer like web browsing, emailing, media consumption, document writing plus a whole lot more like cameras, note taking, drawing and great battery life. iPadOS also has a great app store featuring a lot of professional grade apps which can take the advantage of this kind of powerful hardware.

Here you can check a video from Ali Abdaal about his thoughts for the iPads *from that era* (originally published in 2023).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFX-lyLU2X8&t=