The New Year holidays are just around the corner, and an iPad is a great gift for almost any gadget lover. Everything is always very confusing in the Apple line, let’s figure out which models you can buy on the eve of 2025.
Which iPhone is best to buy in the fall of 2024. 10 current models compared
Briefly:
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◉ Which iPad models are already outdated
◉ Basic iPad 10. We pass by – we are waiting for an update
◉ iPad mini 6. Previous “mini” at a reasonable price
◉ iPad mini 7. Current generation, but not without problems
◉ iPad Air 5. Good tablet on M1
◉ iPad Air 6. Overly famous and expensive
◉ iPad Pro 6. Best buy today
◉ iPad Pro 7. Why does it need an M4?
◉ The ultimate guide to choosing a model
Which iPad models are already outdated?
Such tablets are definitely not worth buying anymore; they are outdated in many respects:
▶ iPad 9th generation (here’s our review). Tablet 2021 in old design with lock Homecreated by frames and weak hardware.
▶ iPad mini 5th generation (here is a detailed review). The same confidential tablet in an old design with weak hardware from 2019.
▶ iPad Air 4th generation. This 2020 tablet came out in a new frameless design, but it already has weak hardware today. In a few months the device will turn 5 years old.
▶ iPad Pro 5th generation (here is our review of the model). There are no complaints about the design, contents and capabilities here. It’s an iPad with an M1 chip, but it’s already 4.5 years old. Finding a new model is already very difficult, during this time the battery degrades. The price difference with the next generation M2 will be barely noticeable.
All the models mentioned above can already be considered when purchasing, but with some reservations, which we will discuss below.
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Basic iPad 10. We pass by – we are waiting for an update
Here’s our review of the tablet
Specifications:
▸ CPU: A14 Bionic
▸ RAM: 4 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 10.9″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 41-45 thousand.
The most affordable tablet in the Apple line has not been updated for more than 2 years! The last 10th generation of Cupertino residents will occur in October 2022. All this year there have been rumors that Apple will update all its tablet lines and release the 11th generation iPad before the end of 2024. The company was slowly updating the basic iPad, but for some reason delayed it until 2025.
It’s not worth buying a two-year-old tablet now; in a couple of months, with a high degree of probability, the Cupertino team will release a new one at the same price.
✅ Modern design, front camera in the rear border, this is convenient for video calls in landscape orientation.
⛔ Processor A14 from the group iPhone 12total 64 GB The memory is in the database; adapters are needed to work with old styluses.
Who is this iPad suitable for: you can only take it if you need the most affordable iPad here and now. In other cases, wait a few months.
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iPad mini 6th generation. Previous “mini” at a reasonable price
Specifications:
▸ CPU: A15 Bionic
▸ RAM: 4 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 8.3″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 45-48 thousand.
The 2021 model, but the filling is still vigorous. Here is the A15 Bionic processor, as in iPhone 13/13 Pro/144 GB RAM. The tablet has a new design and is not much different from the latest Mini.
What is the difference between iPad mini 7 (2024) and iPad mini 6 (2021). Found 10 differences
✅ Compact tablet in modern design.
⛔ Everything in the database 64 GB memory, display problems – jelly effect.
Who is this tablet suitable for: a more affordable iPad mini for those who don’t need the minor changes of the latest generation.
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iPad mini 7th generation. Current generation, but not without problems
Specifications:
▸ CPU: A17 Pro
▸ RAM: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 128/256/512 GB
▸ Screen: 8.3″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 59-63 thousand
The difference between the new product and its main predecessor is 128 GB memory in the database. There are still 8 GB RAM, but this is only needed in demanding games. Unfortunately, users still notice the “jelly effect” on the screen.
✅ A compact tablet with a modern design, powerful hardware, and support for Apple Intelligence (if anyone needs it at all). In the database 128 GB And 8 GB RAM.
⛔ Overpriced, display problems.
Who is this tablet suitable for: If you don’t need to save money and you don’t notice any problems when scrolling pages in vertical orientation, this is an excellent stellar mini with a performance reserve of several years.
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iPad Air 5th generation. Good tablet for M1
Specifications:
▸ CPU: Apple M1
▸ RAM: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 10.9″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 60-63 thousand
The tablet was released 2.5 years ago, but it still has enough power. Over this period of time, the battery has not yet had time to degrade significantly; it is quite possible to find new models.
✅ Good speed, in appearance you can’t tell it from the newest iPad Air. There are no problems with the selection of accessories.
⛔ 64 GB screen 60 Hz. There is no model with a 13-inch display.
Who is this tablet suitable for: it’s now an alternative to a good basic 10th generation iPad. The external device is very similar, but the “air” is much more powerful.
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iPad Air 6th generation. Excessive and expensive
Specifications:
▸ CPU: Apple M2
▸ RAM: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 128/256/512/1024 GB
▸ Screen: 11/13″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 69-73 thousand
The new generation of the tablet appeared in the spring of 2024, but the developers did not introduce any major changes. Air is built on a more powerful chip M2 and received 128 GB memory in the database. The most important innovation is the appearance of a model with 13-inch headphones.
✅ Excessively outstanding, there is a 13″ model in the database. 128 GB .
⛔ Expensive, for the price of this Air you can find older iPad Pro models.
Who is this tablet suitable for: If you need a 13-inch tablet and don’t want to look for an old iPad Pro. In other cases, it is better to take a closer look at other models.
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iPad Pro 6th generation. Best buy today
Specifications:
▸ CPU: Apple M2
▸ RAM: 8 GB (16 for models with 1/2 TB drives)
▸ Memory: 128/256/512/1024/2048 GB
▸ Screen: 11/12.9″ with ProMotion equipment
▸ Cameras: 12 MP and 10 MP with LiDAR + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Face ID
▸ Price: from 85-89 thousand.
The 2022 model became the top one, and when its price dropped, it became perhaps the best tablet in the Apple line.
No compromise here, sound processor M2 + 8 GB The RAM will last a very long time.
✅ Powerful hardware with a good reserve, 120 Hz, built-in modular camera, support for all current iPadOS innovations, many accessories on the market.
⛔ It’s a little expensive, but the filling justifies it.
Who is this tablet suitable for: Anyone who wants an iPad with 120 Hz headphones and 5 years of performance ahead.
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iPad Pro 7th generation. Why does he need an M4?
Read our review of the iPad Pro M4 (2024) with nanotexture
Specifications:
▸ CPU: Apple M4
▸ RAM: 8 GB (16 for models with 1/2 TB drives)
▸ Memory: 256/512/1024/2048 GB
▸ Screen: 11/13″ with ProMotion product
▸ Cameras: 12 MP with LiDAR + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Face ID
▸ Price: from 120 thousand.
The update to the “Pro” line turned out to be controversial. The device turned out to be even more powerful, but for what purpose they did not explain to us.
At the same time, the tablet’s second camera module disappeared. I understand that it is not particularly needed, but the downgrade is frustrating. And the iPad became very cautious, and accessories from the management did not fit it.
What’s the difference between the new iPad Pro M4 (2024) and the old iPad Pro M2 (2022)
✅ Very powerful hardware, switch to OLED matrix and 256 GB memory in the database.
⛔ The second camera module has disappeared somewhere; the tablet is very thin and incompatible with old accessories. For the price of this firmware you can buy a basic MacBook Pro.
Who is this tablet suitable for: There is no particular point in overpaying for the M4; it is better to take the more affordable generation of the M2.
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The Ultimate Guide to Model Selection
The iPad line has an interesting history. All new products are almost no different from previous versions, but they cost noticeably higher. This does not allow representatives of the iPad mini/Air/Pro presented this year to take cheaper tablets of previous generations.
⛔ Basic iPad models are not pregnant, we are waiting for iPad 11 in the spring.
⛔ Not pregnant iPad mini 5 and older minis.
⛔ iPad Air 4th generation and we forget the older ones – their train has left.
⛔ iPad Pro on M1 – the filling is ok, but the device is old and the battery will not be very good.
⚠️ iPad mini 7 – A good new tablet, but expensive and with a defiant look.
⚠️ iPad Air on M2 – there are almost no differences from the generation, it is expensive and there is no screen 120 Hz.
⚠️ iPad Pro on M4 – very expensive, and the force is excessive.
✅ iPad mini 6 – an affordable “mini car”, which is almost no different from a new one, but costs less.
✅ iPad Air on M1 – the most affordable tablet that you can buy now. There are a couple of disadvantages: the screen 60 Hz And 64 GB memory in the database.
✅ iPad Pro on M2 – a good balanced model at the moment.
As always, we look forward to your opinions and recommendations in the comments!
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Source: Iphones RU

I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.