Apple has been so influential in the tablet market that many people swap the iPad and tablet names interchangeably, much like Velcro(R) and hook and loop or Oreo(R) and chocolate sandwich cookie. Either way, with a new line of iPads released every year, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest iPad models.
Currently, there are five iPads to choose from in 2022: iPad Pro 11″ (3rd Gen 2022), iPad Pro 12.9″ (5th Gen 2022), iPad Air 10.9″ (4th Gen 2022), iPad 10.2″ (9th Gen 2022) , and the iPad Mini 8.3″ (6th generation 2022). Each type of iPad offers something a little different. The question of which iPad to buy depends on several factors. Whether you need more power or a simple, inexpensive iPad, this article covers the best and worst iPads available and which one is best for you.
If you're in the market to buy the latest iPhone, check this article out.
What is the latest iPad released
Let's take a look at the specs and features offered by the latest iPad models so you can find the one that's right for you.
iPad Pro 12.9″ 5th generation (2022) and 11″ 3rd generation (2022)
The iPad Pro is the newest and most advanced iPad to date. It's also the best iPad available and its price matches its Pro status. The models (11-inch and 12,9-inch) were announced in April 2022 and pre-orders became available. Fortunately, the long-awaited iPad Pro 12.9″ (2022 release) is available for purchase here today.
As the name suggests, the target audience for the iPad Pro is professionals and business owners. With the new M1 chipset, Apple is offering this 2022 iPad Pro because it has a 50% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU, which means there's so much more you can do with the latest version.
You can run Photoshop CC, Microsoft Word, and other work-related software on your iPad Air, but the experience will be a little smoother on the iPad Pro whether you have the keyboard attached or not.
iPad Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display and ProMotion technology deliver unprecedented refresh rate and display quality. If you are a photographer, video editor or graphic designer, the Pro will suit you perfectly.
In addition to the built-in FaceID provided on the 2022 iPad Pro, the 2022 models also feature highly updated unlocking and security protocols. The fingerprint reader has an oleophobic coating to resist fingerprints, adding to your peace of mind.
There are two versions of the iPad Pro: the 11″ iPad Pro with an 11-inch screen and the 12,9″ iPad Pro with a 12,9-inch screen.
The features and specifications of both models are pretty much the same except for the display.
Of the two iPad Pro models, the larger screen wins out each time. It is a full Retina display with excellent color reproduction, excellent clarity and superb detail. The 12,9″ costs $1, which is more expensive than the 099 which only costs $11.
Of course, the 11″ model is a solid option if you want to save some money or are looking for something a little more portable.
Here are the specifications for the 11-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation (2022) model:
- Liquid Retina display
- M1 chip
- 11-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology
- 2388 x 1668 pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (PPI)
- ProMotion Technology
- Large color screen (P3)
- True Tone Display
- LiDAR scanner for augmented reality
- Fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating
- Fully laminated display
- Anti-reflective coating
- 1,8% reflectivity
- 600 nits of brightness
- Full Apple Pencil support
Here are the specifications for the 12,9-inch iPad Pro 5rd generation (2022) model:
- Liquid Retina screen (same)
- M1 chip (same)
- 12,9-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology (larger screen)
- 2732 x 2048 pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) (more pixels)
- 2D backlight system for individual LED lighting levels at improve the contrast and liveliness of cuts
- ProMotion technology (same)
- Large color screen (P3) (idem)
- True Tone display (same)
- LiDAR scanner for AR (idem)
- Fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating (same)
- Display fully laminated (same)
- Anti-reflective coating (idem)
- 1,8% reflectivity (idem)
- Brightness 600 nits (same)
- Full Apple Pencil support (same)
The size of the iPad Pro 12.9″ is considerable, but so is its power. Depending on how you use it, you can easily replace your desktop or laptop with this tablet.
With the latest iPad operating system (iPadOS 14) offering great performance and plenty of apps for on-the-go productivity, it's worth checking out. The iPad Pro's longer battery life means you'll need to charge your iPad more frequently with heavy use.
All things considered, the 2022 iPad Pro is a powerful device and lives up to the iPad's incredible reputation.
If you want a tablet that functions as your main computer with a keyboard, replacing your laptop, then the extra power and screen size of the Pro will serve as your alternative.
For the rest of us with more modest requirements, Apple has some great options at affordable prices.
iPad Air 4th generation (2022)
The iPad Air sits somewhere in the middle between the standard iPad and the iPad Pro. It's a small, lightweight tablet that packs decent power for its size. The latest 4th generation model (released in September 2022) includes an improved chipset, display and countless other features.
The 10,9-inch Liquid Retina display performs very well, has excellent clarity, and is suitable for work or play.
The iPad Air is significantly cheaper than the iPad Pro. Still, aside from the smaller screen and less storage, the performance difference is barely noticeable (unless you're playing the latest games, which can sometimes tire the Air).
The iPad Air is a great affordable alternative to the iPad Pro if you don't mind the smaller screen and degraded performance. You can get an iPad Air for about half the price of an iPad Pro.
Here are the specifications of the iPad Air 4th generation 2022:
- Weight: 458 grams (1,0 lbs) for WiFi-only version or 460 grams (1,01 lbs) for cellular version
- Dimensions: 9,74 inches x 7,02 inches x 0,24 inches
- Operating system: iPad 15.1
- Screen size: 10,9 inches
- Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels at 264 ppi
- Chipset: A14 bionic
- Storage room: 64 Go/256 Go
- Drums: Up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi and 9 hours on cellular data
- Cameras: 12 MP wide rear camera and 7 MP front camera
Reviewers said the battery life is quite good, even while gaming, so we'll assume it's safe to say the battery life is solid. Typical users get around 9 hours of battery life per charge on their iPad.
The power of the A14 chipset is superb, and even new games have no problem running at full speed on this modest device.
So while it's not as powerful as the iPad Pro, don't make the mistake of assuming the iPad Air can't handle more demanding tasks. However, suppose you consider a tablet as your main computer, connecting it to a keyboard when you want to use it as a laptop in addition to using it as a tablet. Then you might appreciate the iPad Pro's superior power and screen size. There are some great keyboard and case combos for iPad Air 4th Gen on Amazon.
iPad 10.2″ 9th generation (2022)
You can't go wrong with a standard 8th generation iPad tablet. It is the most popular iPad made by Apple and it is a great solution for most Apple users.
It features a 10,2-inch screen with excellent color reproduction, fast response times, and bright graphics.
The chassis fits well in your hand and features Apple's usual design flair. It's also lightweight, at just 490 grams for wifi-only or 495 grams for the cellular model. Although it is not as light as the iPad Air. You can get a new iPad (10,2-inch, Wi-Fi, 128GB) for just over $300, making it good value for what you're getting.
Here are the specifications for the standard 2022 iPad 8th generation:
- Weight: 490g
- Dimensions: 9,8 « x 6,8″ x 0,29 »
- Operating system: iPad 14
- Screen size: 10,2 inches
- Resolution: 2160 1620 pixels x
- Chipset: A12 bionic
- Storage room: 32 / 128 Go
- Cameras: 8MP rear, 1,2MP front
There are hardware compromises on Air or Pro, such as an older chipset, less storage, and lower quality cameras. However, compared to the rest of the iPad lineup, this tablet is more than up to the challenge, especially with iPadOS 14 driving the experience.
iPad mini 5th generation (2022)
The smaller iPad Mini is ideal for those who want a lighter, smaller tablet. It's a small device with a 7,9-inch screen and fits well in the hand. It's easy to hold like a paperback novel.
If portability is key, then buy an iPad mini. The build quality is excellent, the screen is first class and the battery life is also very decent.
However, it's hard to justify choosing the iPad mini over any of the other options mentioned in this article in most cases.
Specifications of the iPad mini 5th generation 2022:
Here are the specifications of the iPad mini 2022:
- Weight: 304g
- Dimensions: 203,2 x 134,8 x 6,1 mm
- Operating system: iPad 14
- Screen size: 7,9 inches
- Resolution: 1536 2048 pixels x
- Chipset: A12 bionic
- Storage room: 64 Go/256 Go
- Drums: 5 mAh
- Cameras: 8MP rear 7MP front
The iPad mini is only slightly larger than a phone, so it will work for some but not others. With decent hardware, including Apple's latest A12 chipset, the mini has plenty of power. With iPadOS 14 offering usability, a decent battery, a gorgeous Retina display, and those modest dimensions, it's hard to fault the iPad mini.
Which iPad Should You Buy?
For once, the decision to buy an Apple device is very simple. If you want power and don't care about price, nothing compares to the iPad Pro. If you are a small business owner, a professional or someone who wants to replace their laptop with an iPad, then the iPad Pro is the best choice if you have the budget.
If iPad price is an issue, but you don't want to compromise too much, the iPad Air is a solid bet.
The iPad mini is ideal for those who want something more complete than a phone with Apple Pencil compatibility, and it's the smallest of the iPad series. It offers a powerful solution that fits in a compact shell.
All iPads (except the iPad Mini) work with Apple's Smart Keyboard Cover, so you're covered there too.
Ultimately, we'd recommend using the iPad Pro if you need the power and screen size, but, for most casual iPad users, the regular iPad is a choice. exceptional for about a third of the price of the Pro.
Whichever iPad model you choose, you might want to draw and write on your iPad, which works well with the iPad Pencil. The Apple Store has several great drawing and note-taking apps, making the iPad Pencil popular with graphic designers, artists, and those who don't think typing notes is as convenient as writing things down.
Updated on September 07, 2022, by Steve Larner
Originally posted Aug 11, 2022, by Jamie
