Checking your iPad's model number might not be a priority when you first get your device, but you'll need it if you want to buy accessories for it. You will also need it if you plan to sell your device online.
The iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and three separate sizes of iPad Pro are all different iPad versions available from Apple, and each generation has its own set of features. Due to these differences, you may experience compatibility issues if you do not know your model number.
Fortunately, this is an easy fix. In this article, you will find out how to determine which iPad you have exactly.
How to Find the Model Number of an iPad
If you need to know what model of iPad you have, finding the model number is the fastest way to find out. You can check your model number in several ways.
You don't even need to turn on your iPad for the first method. All you have to do is look at the back of your device. You'll see "iPad" written there, and below that you'll find smaller writing, including the capital letter "A", followed by a series of numbers. This is the model number.
If you have your device in a case and don't want to remove it, or if you can't see the fine print, you can use the following steps to find the iPad model number instead:
- Open "Settings".
- Select âGeneralâ.
- Go to âAboutâ.
- A long number that ends in "A" will appear in the Model Number section. This is the SKU number of your iPad. To see your model number, tap this section once. A shorter number beginning with "A" will appear, indicating your model number.
iPad generations and features
The list of iPad generations continues to grow and shows no signs of stopping. Here is a list of those released so far:
First generation
The first generation of iPad was released in 2010. The 1st generation iPad could be used to play music, view photos and videos, read e-books, email, surf the web, play video games, use GPS. It came with many apps that iPad users still use today, such as Safari, iTunes, Maps, App Store Contacts, Notes, Calendar. Only iOS 5.1.1 is compatible with the iPad. Due to hardware constraints, original iPad users cannot update to iOS 6.x or later.
Second generation
FaceTime was an important feature of the iPad 2. The second generation was reduced to less than 9 millimeters, making it thinner than the iPhone 4 and 4S. It also featured faster graphics, nine times faster than the previous iPad and twice as fast overall. The weight of the new iPad has been reduced from 1,5 pounds to 1,3 pounds. It also includes Photo Booth, a popular Mac tool, while iMovie and GarageBand were available separately. iPhoto for iOS also works with iPad 2.
Third generation
The iPad 3 was known as the "new iPad" because it introduced many new features. The iPad 3 had a Retina display with four times the pixel density of the iPad 2. It also had a 5 GHz dual-core Apple A1X processor with quad-core graphics and a 5-megapixel iSight camera with an element sized 5 f/2,4 lens and 1080p video recording have also been included in the latest iPad. This was a big improvement over the iPad 0,7's 2-megapixel camera and 720p video.
Fourth generation
In 2012, Apple released the fourth generation iPad. The iPad 4 featured a Retina display, the latest Apple A6X processor, and the Lightning connection, first introduced with the iPhone 5. It debuted with iOS 6.0, which provided a platform for AV hardware such as e-books, magazines, movies, music, computer games, presentations and online content. iOS 7.0 has been included in newer versions.
Fifth generation
This iPad 5 featured a 9,7 inch (25 centimeter) screen and 2 GB of RAM. The Apple A8X processor had been superseded by the Apple A9, which included the Apple M9 motion coprocessor. It was 7,5mm thick, which matches the iPad Air. There were only two speakers on this iPad, no Smart Connector compatibility, and no camera flash.
Sixth generation
The Apple A10 Fusion SoC and support for styluses like the Apple Pencil were added to the 2022 edition. It was offered at a discounted price to educators and schools. The device comes preloaded with iOS 11.6 and is compatible with iPadOS up to version 14.
Seventh generation
The Apple A10 Fusion chip powered the 2022 iPad. It came with 3GB of RAM and was targeted at the budget-conscious and education sectors. It also worked with the original Apple Pencil. This tablet is the first in the entry-level iPad series to include a larger 10,2-inch Retina display than previous iPad models with a 9,7-inch screen. It also had a smart connector, which allowed it to use the smart keyboard.
Eighth generation
The Apple A12 Bionic processor with Neural Engine, 3GB of RAM, and a 10,2-inch Retina display were all included in the eighth generation iPad. It also had a smart connector on the side to use the smart keyboard for the 10,5-inch iPad Pro (2nd gen) and iPad Air (3rd gen).
Ninth generation
An Apple A13 processor powers the latest iPad. It features a new 12MP ultra-wide-angle front camera while maintaining the same size factor as the previous model. FaceTime HD video and Center Stage tracking are both supported by the front camera.
Overall, this tablet is smaller and lighter than previous iPads, but it still performs the way customers expect from an iPad.
Additional FAQs
How many generations of iPad are there?
There are also six generations of iPad Mini, four generations of iPad Air, and five generations of iPad Pro.
The 9th generation iPad and 6th generation iPad mini were introduced in September 2022, and they closely followed the 5th generation iPad Pro earlier in the year. With powerful processors, stunning Retina displays and loads of features, the range offers some of the best tablets around.
What does the model number mean on iPad?
The model number identifies the iPad you are holding in your hands. Apple, however, gives no unique model name on the iPad. To find out which model number belongs to which generation of iPad, you will need to look up the number online or find a list of model numbers and generations to find out the exact generation of your device.
The latest information
There are at least two model numbers for each version of iPad. The base model only has Wi-Fi connectivity, but a more expensive variant with mobile data is also available. There are different cellular models with different cellular radios available for certain iPads, but you can identify the exact version by looking at the model number.
Also keep in mind that some of these iPads have other names. The iPad (3rd generation) and iPad (4th generation), for example, are also known as iPad 3 and iPad 4, respectively. iPad 1 is the name given to the first iPad.
What iPad do you have? Do you know which generation your iPad model belongs to? Let us know in the comments section below.
