The top 5 iPads for 2023: that you should Buy:Undoubtedly among the most popular tablets available at the moment is Apple’s iPad.
There are many various models available, but whichever one you choose, you’ll get one of the greatest tablets on the market. Although Apple offers a wide range of options, it can be difficult to choose the ideal one given the numerous models and nearly yearly upgrades.
We’ve divided the list down by categories since there’s an ideal iPad for almost any situation, and since all of Apple’s iPads are very fantastic and each one is created with a little different audience in mind, it’s impossible to pick one as “the best.” We’ve got you covered if you’re searching for the best iPad overall, the best iPad on a budget, a device that falls somewhere in the centre, or even the best little iPad.
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iPad Air 2022
overall best iPad
2022 Apple iPad Air Review
PROS CONS
performance-oriented M1 processor 64GB of storage is insufficient
narrow and light battery power
Software for use at work or for fun
a big, vibrant, and clear screen
Numerous high-quality accessories
Centre Stage is effective.
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Why ought you to purchase this? The iPad Air (2022) provides professional performance for less money.
It’s for whom? anyone seeking the most cost-effective Apple tablet in every category.
The iPad Air (2022) wins the award for the best iPad overall. The iPad lineup’s sweet spot is right here. It’s an excellent option with a tonne of performance and features at a fairly low cost that should meet the demands of most individuals.
First off, Apple’s potent M1 chip, which debuted in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in 2020, is included in the iPad Air (2022). With an eight-core CPU divided into four performance cores and four efficiency cores, the M1 is still blazingly fast in terms of performance, even if Apple has switched to the M2 for its Macs and higher-end iPad Pro (2022). That implies that you are both power-efficient and receive incredible power. Incredible graphics are produced by the eight-core GPU, and quick processing and rendering are apparent when working on tasks like picture and video editing thanks to the 16-core Neural Engine and 8GB of RAM. Even though it may already be more power than most people require in a tablet, it also ensures years of excellent performance.
Despite not having Face ID, the iPad Air nevertheless has a stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display that occupies most of the front due to its slim bezels. It looks remarkably similar to the more expensive iPad Pro. The iPad Air (2022) continues the use of a Touch ID sensor in the side button for biometric authentication. The iPad Air and iPad Pro share the same Smart Connector and magnetic side charger, enabling compatibility with similar add-ons like the Magic Keyboard, which turns your iPad into a clone of a laptop, and the second-generation Apple Pencil, which gives artists a magnificent digital canvas.
The iPad Air (2022) has a top-notch 12MP main camera that does the job, but no iPad will ever compare to the iPhone in terms of photography. More importantly, the front-facing 12MP camera has excellent video call quality and Apple’s Centre Stage function, which maintains the camera’s focus on you while you’re moving and automatically widens the view as family and friends gather.
The iPad Air charges using USB-C, which is now supported by the whole iPhone 15 family. On the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, a fully charged battery should last approximately ten hours while using Wi-Fi or nine hours when using cellular data. Although the battery life isn’t the best ever, it should last the entire workday.
The 64GB Wi-Fi variant of the iPad Air (2022) costs $600, but you’re probably better off upgrading to the 256GB model, which costs $749. Since the iPad Air (2022) costs far less than the more expensive and power-user-focused iPad Pro, it offers all the performance features that the majority of iPad users will ever require.
iPad (2021)
Best iPad for the money
PROS CONS
long-lasting battery Lack of enough display brightness
Internal strength In 2021, lightning port
Significant improvement to the front-facing camera
excellent software support
Base storage of 64GB is more appropriate.
Why should you purchase this? Despite being from a prior generation, the iPad (2021) still performs admirably and is quite reasonably priced.
It’s for whom? a person who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money but yet wants one of Apple’s greatest tablets.
The ninth-generation iPad (2021) is a wonderful option if you’re on a tight budget. Even though the base model iPad is from a prior generation, it’s still a very trustworthy and good option, and you get a lot for your money.
The 10.2-inch Retina display on the iPad (2021) is generous and yet looks stunning when in use. Additionally, the original iPad (2021) has a home button if you still prefer having one for Touch ID. Because of iPadOS 16, it has the A13 Bionic chip, which is a little dated (the A13 was introduced in the iPhone 11 in 2019), but still quite quick and capable for the ordinary user. It comes with 64GB of storage by default, which should be sufficient for most users who only need an iPad for basic tasks like reading email, sending messages, making FaceTime calls, and possibly playing a few games.
Even while the front-facing camera has improved over the previous model, the rear camera is still only 8MP. You’ll always be in the frame on video conversations and look nice doing it because it has Centre Stage and is now 12MP instead of the meagre 1.2MP of its 2020 predecessor.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, as well as all other iPad models, employ USB-C instead of Apple’s Lightning port. The iPad (2021) should operate for around 10 hours on the Wi-Fi model or 9 hours on the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant after being fully charged. For people who don’t require anything too extravagant, the iPad (2021) delivers adequate power and performance for only $329.
iPad Mini 2021
best iPad mini
PROS CONS
Large enough to do most duties The display is too dim.
Small enough to easily transport Too little to produce content
dynamism in performance there is no headphone jack
booming speakers
USB-C
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Why should you purchase this? You desire an iPad, but in a more manageable size.
It’s for whom? Those who like tablets with a lower screen size.
Historically, Apple’s iPad mini has gone a few years without an update. The most recent update in 2021 put it back on par with the iPad Air, which set the standard with a significant makeover in 2020.
The iPad mini (2021) loses the home button and has a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display in place of it. It foregoes Face ID in favour of a Touch ID sensor in the side button, just like its bigger sister, the iPad Air. The USB-C port has taken the place of the Lightning connector for charging, and a full charge ought to last about 10 hours.
The A15 Bionic chip included within the iPad mini (2021) is the same one used to power the iPhone 13 series as well as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The iPad mini will be able to handle anything you throw at it, including picture and video editing as well as graphically demanding games, thanks to the A15’s ample power and quick performance.
The size of the iPad mini (2021) is its best feature, though. It’s Apple’s smallest iPad, making it significantly smaller and more portable than its siblings. But despite its diminutive size, it is nonetheless incredibly powerful. The second-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the iPad mini (2021), and you can always connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to it to make it a portable powerhouse.
The iPad mini (2021) is unbeatable if that’s what you want, even though it is a touch pricy at $500 for the smaller size.
The iPad mini is still a great device, but if you can wait for the iPad mini 7, it should be available soon. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in December 2022 that a new iPad mini was being developed by Apple and will be delivered in 2023 or 2024. According to the rumours, the next-generation iPad mini would have a speedier CPU but would keep the same design as the current device. The A16 Bionic, which debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro and is currently in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, is most likely present in the iPad mini 7.
12.9-inch iPad Pro 2022
Best iPad for a big screen
PROS CONS
sleek and contemporary style Stage Manager must put forth more effort.
Brilliant, vibrant, and stunning display mediocre and awkward front camera
Amazing M2 chip performance astronomically pricey
Apple Pencil hover functionality
iPadOS 16 is quite reliable.
Why ought you to purchase this? The iPad Pro has a sizable screen and is incredibly powerful.
It’s for whom? power users, creatives, and gamers. Anyone who want a large screen is free to do so.
Although few will actually require it, we already know that many will want it. You should purchase the iPad Pro 12.9-inch if you require the greatest screen size imaginable. Although the 12.9-inch display has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, the actual advancement in the display is in the underlying technology. The large iPad of 2022 has a mini-LED display, or what Apple refers to as a Liquid Retina XDR Display. It has 2,500 individually controllable local dimming zones with 10,000 custom-designed mini-LEDs, which allows it to produce deeper blacks and bolder colours than any other tablet currently on the market. This entails a display that is not only attractive to look at but also capable of satisfying the exacting requirements of professional picture and video editors who want accurate colour reproduction.
A lot of power is also supporting that large screen. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro runs Apple’s M2 CPU, the same laptop-grade processor that drives Apple’s most recent MacBook Air series and the 13-inch MacBook Pro, just like its younger sibling, the 11-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch can do almost whatever a current laptop can, including heavy video editing, thanks to all of this extra power and the huge screen. After that is over, you may use that strength to play some very awesome iPad games.
If you need a large screen and high performance from your iPad, go for the iPad Pro 12.9-inch. It won’t be as portable or convenient to store as the 11-inch model due to its greater size, but if you need more space, you’ll appreciate the additional 1.9 inches. However, adding the extra (and desirable) accessories will increase the price of the already pricey 12.9-inch iPad Pro into MacBook territory. The same cautions still apply as with the smaller iPad Pro. Even with that in mind, this iPad is unquestionably the finest iPad if you want a tablet that will make watching movies, playing games, and other things more enjoyable.
Questions and Answers
What should you keep in mind when purchasing an iPad?
Like the iPhone, the iPad is a durable product that is well-made, at least in comparison to certain other tablets. Apple will regularly release software upgrades for them and will continue to provide support for them for a number of years. This implies that an iPad purchased today will likely continue to be supported far after you start considering an upgrade to a newer model.
If you’ve owned iPhones in the past but are purchasing an iPad for the first time, you’ll be comforted to hear that iPadOS is very similar to iOS. The primary distinction between the two operating systems is that iPadOS is better suited to multitasking because to features like Split View, Slide Over, and the brand-new Stage Manager in iPadOS 16. These capabilities make it simple to utilise numerous apps simultaneously or rapidly switch between them. Another distinction is that the iPadOS version of Safari is described as “desktop class,” meaning that it performs better than the iOS version on several well-known web applications (such as Google Docs).
If you’re switching from an Android device to an iPad for the first time, you might be intimidated by iPadOS at first. The simplified simplicity of iPadOS (and iOS) is one of its key selling points, though. Although some criticise the OS’s “closed-in” lack of customizability and logical organisation, most users find the security and coherence it provides to be worth the trade-off.
Another thing to keep in mind is that not all of your data may transfer over to your new iPad if you’re switching from Android. According to Apple, you may move your contacts, message history, camera photographs and videos, online bookmarks, email accounts, and calendars over, though not all apps may be portable and some messaging apps may restrict the amount of data you can move.
As we mentioned above, some of the iPad accessories are a bit pricy. For instance, the second-generation Apple Pencil is $129 while the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro and iPad Air costs $299. This adds to the already high price of tablets, and you could find that making that initial investment in Apple items ties you to the Apple ecosystem because Apple accessories work exclusively with Apple products. Despite this, Apple products are not the only ones available and while they are frequently of great quality and dependability, you will virtually always receive your money’s worth. Any Bluetooth keyboard will work with an iPad, and there are also several other stylus choices that are excellent for casual use.
Can an iPad be used to print?
The answer is that you can print from an iPad. For complete instructions on printing from an iPhone, see our guidelines. The iPad operates in the same manner.
Can you use an iPad to make calls?
Despite not being smartphones, iPads can still be used to make phone calls, but not directly. Apple does offer iPad models with cellular capability, but this is only utilised for data transfers when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi. Neither calling nor texting are permitted on it. Instead, if your carrier supports it, you can utilise Wi-Fi calling, which routes Wi-Fi calls through your iPhone.
In addition to using FaceTime on an iPad to place video or audio conversations, you may also call people who use other services like Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom via a variety of third-party applications. If you truly want to use your tablet to make calls to traditional phone lines, it could be worth trying one of the top VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services as the majority of voice-over-IP apps on the App Store are also compatible with the iPad.
Can an iPad be used to text?
The Messages software from Apple is available on the iPad and allows users to send iMessages to other Apple devices using their Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. Standard SMS/MMS text messages can also be sent and received on an iPad, but only if you also own an iPhone. Traditional text messages are sent through your iPhone via iCloud and will utilise the phone number from your iPhone because even cellular-enabled iPad models don’t support SMS/MMS – iPad cellular connectivity is only for data — thus they must be sent to a phone that has a compatible iPhone.
Of course, you can also use your iPad with the standard selection of third-party texting apps, from Facebook Messenger to WhatsApp.
Just how do we test?
Every iPad we receive is put through a thorough testing process, including living with them for lengthy periods of time to see how they function in actual situations. This entails working on them, utilising all of the most recent and taxing apps, playing games, watching TV and movies, reading e-books, taking photos, recording video, and employing various other activities. In other words, we use them just the way you would use them. While we naturally prize new and quirky features, we also like tablets that do the bare minimum well. Regular use also allows us to become familiar with the specifics of each iPad we evaluate, including their advantages and disadvantages, which enables us to give suggestions that are well-informed.
As you can see, because Apple divided the iPad into several variants, there isn’t truly a “one-size-fits-all” iPad. For those who want pro power for less money, the iPad Air is closest to becoming the greatest iPad all-around. The iPad (2021) is a good alternative for people on a low budget, and the iPad mini (2021) or 12.9-inch iPad Pro are good choices for those who prefer a small or large iPad, respectively.
An iPad is one of the best tablets available, regardless of the model you choose. For at least a few years after your purchase, Apple will continue to offer support for these through upgrades to the iPadOS operating system. Therefore, it will be a fantastic decision whether you get a base-level iPad or the Pro. Simply said, your demands determine the model you should purchase.