Apple launched new iPads on Tuesday that will give us plenty to talk about in the coming weeks. The new 10th-generation iPad is a complete redesign that brings it in line with the Air and mini, and the new iPad Pro is the fastest tablet ever, with an M2 processor and Wi-Fi 6E. Simply put, Apple’s new tablets are the strongest ever, offering more options for consumers at both ends of the spectrum.
But buying an iPad is also more confusing than ever. Apple now has five different iPad lines starting at $329 and going up to more than $2,000. This is how the models are broken down:
- iPad (9th generation, 64GB): $329
- iPad (9th generation, 256GB): $479
- iPad (10th generation, 64GB): $479
- iPad mini (64GB): $499
- iPad (10th generation, 256GB): $599
- iPad Air (64GB): $599
- iPad mini (256GB): $649
- iPad Air (256GB): $749)
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 128GB): $799
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 256GB): $899
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 512GB): $1,099
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 128GB): $1,099
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 256GB): $1,199
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 512GB): $1,399
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 1TB): $1,499
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1TB): $1,799
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 2TB): $1,899
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2TB): $2,199
And those prices don’t even take into account the cellular options, which add $200 to the iPad Pro, $150 to the 10th-generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, and $130 to the ninth-generation iPad. It also doesn’t take into account the fact that 64GB of storage isn’t really enough for a device that’s supposed to be a “computer”.
So while options are certainly good, they can also be overwhelming. If you have $600 to spend, for example, you can get a new iPad with 256GB of storage, or an iPad Air with 64GB of storage, an iPad mini with 64GB of storage, or a 9th generation iPad generation with 256 GB of storage and mobile connectivity. And all these models have different screens, different processors and different color options.
The 10th generation iPad comes with USB-C, but still supports the Lightning-based Apple Pencil.
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That’s where it really gets confusing. Consider these facts about Apple’s iPad lineup:
- Three different iPads have essentially the same 11-inch screen.
- The 10th generation iPad does not have the anti-reflective coating that was introduced in 2014.
- Each iPad that Apple sells has a different processor.
- 64GB of storage is too little and 256GB of storage is too much for most users.
- The 10th generation iPad is the only model to have a selfie camera in landscape orientation.
- The iPad Pro has newer Bluetooth (5.3) than the 10th generation iPad (5.2) and the iPad Air and mini (5.0).
- The iPad mini is the only model that does not support any Apple keyboard cases.
- The 10th generation iPad does not yet support the second generation Apple Pencil.
So not only do you have to sort through nearly two dozen options when deciding which tablet to buy, but you also have to consider small differences in the various lineups that may not be obvious to casual consumers. Most buyers probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the non-laminated screen of the 10th generation iPad and the laminated screen of the iPad Air or feel the speed of an A15 versus an A13. How are consumers supposed to make an intelligent purchase decision when they need a spreadsheet and an explainer just to figure out the different features?
And who is the iPad Air now? It has an M1 processor and second-generation Apple Pencil support, but if you’re a user who needs these features, you should consider the 11-inch iPad Pro. And if you’re not, you should just get the 10th generation iPad and save $150. And what about the iPad mini? Is it worth spending $50 more than the 10th generation iPad for a smaller screen and slightly better processor?
And then there is the matter of the update. The 10th generation iPad just launched, so we don’t know how often it will be updated, but we do know about the other lines:
iPad mini: last updated in September 2021; next update expected March 2023
iPad Air: Last updated March 2022; next update expected in September 2023
iPad Pro: last updated in October 2022; next update expected March 2024
So if you’re buying an iPad next February, you should keep in mind that the iPad mini could be updated soon. If you want one this summer, there’s probably an iPad Air upgrade right around the corner.
The new iPad was supposed to simplify purchasing options, but it just confused the lineup even more. And it gives the impression that Apple still doesn’t quite understand what to do with its tablet line, so it keeps throwing more and more at the wall to see what will stick. And at some point, consumers will stop trying to figure it out.