Apple sells 4 different types of iPads. Here are the latest models you can buy, including the new iPad Mini. --[Reported by Umva mag]

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New iPad models aren't given simple numbers like the iPhone, which makes things a lot more confusing if you're shopping around on retailer websites that might still have discontinued iPad models available to buy.

Following the launch of the newest iPad, the seventh-generation iPad Mini (A17 Pro), in October 2024, we're here to break down the latest iPad lineup for you. Currently, Apple officially sells six different tablets, listed here from newest to oldest:

• iPad Mini: 7th generation, A17 Pro (2024)
• iPad Pro 13-inch, M4 (2024)
• iPad Pro 11-inch, M4 (2024)
• iPad Air 13-inch, M2 (2024)
• iPad Air 11-inch, M2 (2024)
• iPad: 10th generation, A14 Bionic (2022)

Determining which iPad makes the most sense for your needs can be difficult, as many features and specs overlap. But it's important to understand the differences, especially if you want to make sure you're choosing the proper model when considering the best iPad Pro cases, best iPad Air cases, or best iPad cases. 

Read on for a full breakdown of the latest iPads from the four current model types, listed in descending order of release, and check out our guide to the best iPads for further assessment. 

The new iPad Mini

Apple launched its latest iPad, the new iPad Mini (A17 Pro), this month. The new tablet is available to preorder now from Apple's website ahead of an October 23 release date.

Starting at $499, the seventh-generation iPad Mini (A17 Pro) is a mid-range option between the standard iPad and the latest premium iPad Pro and Air models. If you're looking for the perfect balance between portability and performance, the iPad Mini could be calling your name.

The latest iPad Mini continues Apple's modern iPad design with narrow borders and flat edges. It features the exact same 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display as its predecessor, the sixth-generation iPad Mini.

The seventh-generation iPad Mini runs on the A17 Pro processor from the iPhone 15 Pro models. That means it runs apps and games quickly and smoothly, whether basic or intensive. It also runs Apple Intelligence AI features.

Upgrades from the previous sixth-generation iPad Mini include support for Apple Pencil Pro, but the new model has lost support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. The new iPad Mini also supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Base storage has also been upgraded from 64GB in the previous generation to 128GB, and it's available in 256GB and 512GB options.

The new model numbers for the seventh-generation iPad Mini are A2993 for the standard WiFi model and A2995 for the WiFi + Cellular model.

The latest iPad Pro models

Apple's most premium tablet received a major update in May 2024 with the launch of the latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models.

Apple debuted its new M4 processor on the iPad Pros alongside a slate of AI-focused enhancements that make the high-end tablets more powerful and tailored for productivity than ever before.

Dubbed Apple's "thinnest" products to date, the iPad Pros boast slim designs at depths of 5.3mm and 5.1mm for the 11-inch and 13-inch models, respectively. Apple introduced a new "Tandem OLED" design for the iPad Pro displays, allowing for enhanced brightness and clarity relative to the Pro line's previous LED and mini-LED displays.  

Apple released a new Magic Keyboard for the 2024 iPad Pro models that features a function row and a larger trackpad, bringing the iPad Pro closer to a viable laptop replacement. The latest iPad Pros are compatible with the USB-C Apple Pencil and the newer Apple Pencil Pro, which offers a "squeeze" sensor and a gyroscope that enable a suite of new features. 

The generational improvements to the iPad Pro line resulted in higher prices. Whereas the previous iPad Pro line started at $799, the new 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, and the new 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299. 

The latest 11-inch iPad Pros model numbers are A2836 for the standard WiFi model and A2837 for the WiFi + Cellular model. For the 13-inch iPad Pros, the model numbers are A2925 for the standard WiFi model and A2926 for the WiFi + Cellular model.

Read our guide to the 2024 iPad Pro launch for more information. 

The latest iPad Air models

Apple launched two new iPad Airs in May 2024: an overhaul of the typical 11-inch model and a first-ever 13-inch iPad Air.

Apple upgraded the iPad Air models from the M1 processor to the newer M2 processor, which runs laptops like the 2022 MacBook Air and 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro, enabling smoother performance for intensive tasks relative to the previous-generation Air model.

Apple moved the front-facing camera on the new iPad Airs to the landscape position, which aligns with the new iPad Pro models and offers a more convenient position for video calling. The latest iPad Air models work with the USB-C Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil Pro.

The latest 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, the same price as the previous generation, while the new 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799.

The model numbers for the latest 11-inch iPad Airs are A2902 for the WiFi model and A2903 for the WiFi + Cellular model. For the latest 13-inch iPad Air, the model numbers are A2898 for the WiFi model and A2899 for the WiFi + Cellular model.

Read our guide to the 2024 iPad Air launch for more information. 

The latest standard iPad 

Apple last released a standard iPad in October 2022, with the 10th-generation iPad. 

The 10th-generation iPad adopted Apple's modern design language, with slim bezels around a larger 10.9-inch screen relative to the previous-generation model. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and its Touch ID sensor is integrated into the power button. Its best upgrade was repositioning its ultra-wide FaceTime camera to the landscape position for a better angle of view during video calls. 

In terms of power, the 10th-generation iPad runs Apple's A14 Bionic chip, the same processor as the iPhone 12, which can still handle basic to moderately intensive tasks. Those looking for smoother and more powerful performance should opt for the new iPad Pro or iPad Air.

The 2022 iPad supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and the first-generation Apple Pencil, though the latter requires an adapter to charge. 

Following the launch of the latest iPad Pro and Air models, the starting price of the 10th-generation iPad dropped to $349 from $449. Apple also discontinued the 9th-generation iPad, making the 10th-generation iPad the lone budget option in the current lineup. 

The model numbers for the 10th-generation iPad are A2696 for the WiFi models and A2757 for the WiFi + Cellular model.

Read our full 10th-generation iPad (2022) review.

How to figure out which iPad you own

All the latest iPads look similar now that each current model has Apple's modern tablet design language, but a model number distinguishes each iPad model within and between generations.

As noted at the end of each section above, the iPad model number is a four-number code preceded by a letter, such as "A2995," for the WiFi + Cellular model of the new seventh-generation iPad mini.

If you're unsure which iPad model you own, you can find your iPad's model number in the Settings app by tapping General > About. In the top section, you'll either find the model number (e.g., A2995) or a "part number" indicated by a mix of numbers and letters with a slash (in the form of XXXXXXX/A). If you see the latter, tap to reveal the one-letter, four-digit model number.

You can also find the model number etched on the back of your iPad. 

Apple iPad Pro: 11 and 12.9 inches (2022)

Apple's most premium tablet got a minor update in October 2022 with the sixth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and fourth-generation 11-inch iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch Pro is the largest tablet in Apple's lineup, and the only iPad to use Apple's mini-LED display that boasts improved brightness and contrast. 

Among the updates from 2022 was Apple's computer-grade M2 processor, also in the 2022 MacBook Air, and support for the new Hover feature with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which offers better accuracy and new interactions.

Both tablets include optional 5G connectivity with support for mmWave 5G networks, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, Face ID, high-refresh-rate 120Hz ProMotion displays, dual-lens cameras, and a Center Stage feature that keeps the selfie camera centered on the subject despite movement. 

Taken together, these changes make Apple's iPad Pro tablets more powerful and tailored for productivity than ever before. But they're still best suited for professional creatives and multimedia editors since multitasking for most other work is still easier on a desktop operating system like macOS or Windows.   

Read our full iPad Pro (2022) review.

Apple iPad: 10th generation (2022)

Apple released the 10th-generation iPad in October 2022. It starts at $449, a significantly higher price than the ninth-generation iPad that's still available for $329.

The 10th-gen iPad adopts Apple's modern design language with slim bezels around a larger 10.9-inch screen, and it can be easily mistaken for the fifth-gen iPad Air at a glance. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning. The Touch ID sensor is now integrated into the power button, and the rear camera sees an upgrade from 8 megapixels to 12 megapixels. But the best upgrade is that the ultra-wide FaceTime camera has been repositioned in the landscape position for a better angle of yourself during video calls. 

In terms of power, the 10th-gen iPad uses Apple's A14 Bionic chip, the same processor as the iPhone 12. It's worth noting that this new version of Apple's basic iPad only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which requires an adapter to charge. The 10th-gen iPad also supports mouse input and a Magic Keyboard Folio designed exclusively for it.

Despite its positives and the fact that it's an exceptional tablet, the 10th-gen iPad's $449 price tag makes it a hard tablet to recommend when the $329 ninth-gen iPad is still in the lineup. 

Read our full 10th-generation iPad review.

Apple iPad Air: 5th generation (2022)

While the 2022 basic iPad is powerful, the 2022 iPad Air, released in March 2022, steps it up a notch with Apple's computer-grade M1 processor that also powers the 2020 13-inch MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and 24-inch iMac. That's a significant bump in power compared to the A14 Bionic processor in the fourth-gen iPad Air.

In terms of design, the fifth-gen iPad Air shares many similarities with its predecessor, with the same 10.9-inch screen, USB-C port, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The front camera was upgraded to 12 megapixels, with support for Center Stage, which automatically focuses the camera on you while you move around during a video call.

Other upgrades include 5G connectivity in the WiFi + Cellular models and an enhanced USB-C port for faster transfer of big files between the iPad Air and storage devices. Starting at $599, Apple's iPad Air sits in the current lineup as a step up from the basic iPad and iPad Mini and a worthy alternative to the iPad Pro. 

Read our full fifth-generation iPad Air review.

Apple iPad: 9th generation (2021)

While a new entry-level iPad is available, we think the 2021 ninth-generation iPad is still a great tablet for most people. At its $329 starting price, it's currently the most affordable iPad you can buy. 

With a 10.2-inch touchscreen and A13 Bionic chip, the ninth-gen iPad offers enough power to get you through your basic needs. However, you may want to upgrade to the 256GB model for a bit more storage space if you're planning on using the iPad to download many videos, store many pictures, or play many games.

Like the 10th-gen iPad, the ninth-gen iPad supports the first-gen Apple Pencil, but it doesn't require an adapter as it can plug right into the iPad's Lightning port to recharge. The ultra-wide FaceTime camera supports the Center Stage feature that follows you as you move around on video calls or when recording a video, but it's in portrait position. The display also has Apple's True Tone feature that automatically adjusts the screen to the color temperature of the room you're in. 

Read our full ninth-generation iPad review.

Apple iPad Mini: 6th generation (2021)

The most recent iPad Mini model is the sixth-generation iPad Mini, which Apple released in September 2021. Starting at $499, the 2021 iPad Mini sits among more premium models like the iPad Air. If you're looking for the perfect balance between portability and performance, the iPad Air could be calling your name. 

The 2021 iPad Mini marks a total redesign over previous generations, making for a look that's closer to the iPad Air with narrower borders. The 2021 iPad Mini features a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina touch display with True Tone color technology versus the 7.9-inch screens of previous generations. Apple's A15 Bionic processor that's running the iPhone 13 series is also present, and storage is available in 64GB or 256GB.

The latest iPad Mini supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, a USB-C port for charging and connecting accessories, an ultra-wide FaceTime camera with Apple's Center Stage, an improved 12-megapixel rear camera, and a Touch ID sensor built into the power button on the top edge. The WiFi + Cellular models also support 5G networks. 

Read our full iPad Mini sixth-generation review. 

How to figure out which iPad you own

All the latest iPads look similar now that Apple has updated its basic iPad with its modern iPad design language. If you're not sure which iPad model you own, you can either find your iPad's model in the Settings app, or find the model number etched on the back of the iPad. 

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