It’s been ten-and-a-half years because the then CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, took to the stage in California to announce Apple’s first pill.
Since then, greater than 25 totally different fashions of the iPad have been launched, together with eight generations of the traditional ‘iPad’ and 5 generations of the ‘Mini’.
Under we have a look at the 2 newest fashions, and the way they stack up when in comparison with a decade of older fashions.
iPad Air 4th-generation, £579 (accessible quickly)
The 2020 iPad Air comes with a brand new design, extra highly effective processor and a bigger display screen, Regardless of being loaded with new tech, it retains an impressively low 458g weight.
What’s modified from the earlier iPad Air?
Each the design and specs have undergone vital updates, together with:
- A brand-new Apple A14 ‘Bionic’ processor, which is 40% quicker than the processor within the Third-gen iPad Air, in response to Apple.
- A USB-C connection (as an alternative of Apple proprietary Lightning charger), quick charging, and a brand new fingerprint scanner constructed into the facility button.
- An even bigger display screen, although this comes on the expense of the normal Residence button. This is probably not a well-liked choice for many who favored the comfort of the front-facing button
- A extra angular design to the pill’s shell, giving it a extra trendy look.
We’ll be sending the 2020 iPad Air to our lab for testing as quickly because it hits retailer cabinets, seemingly a while in October, although Apple has not but confirmed the date.
For now, check out our iPad Air first look to see in additional element the way it stacks up towards its predecessor and different iPads within the vary.
iPad 2020 Eighth-generation, £329 (accessible now)
The brand new iPad is extra evolution than revolution; it seems to be a lot the identical as its predecessor.
The principle specification adjustments is an upgraded processor, from the pretty outdated A10 processor from 2016, to the newer, 2018 A12 ‘Bionic’.
With no different notable {hardware} adjustments, the iPad retains its identical enticing beginning worth of £329, making it the second-cheapest iOS product you should buy. The most cost effective? The 2019 iPod Contact, at £199.
The newest iPad is being put by means of its paces in our take a look at lab as I kind, so watch this house for our verdict on how huge a distinction that new processor makes.
Within the meantime, check out our full reviews for older generation Apple iPads.
iPads over the past 10 years
In the event you’re tempted by an iPad however don’t need to fork out for the very newest fashions, you could possibly preserve prices down by choosing an older mannequin. We’ve taken a have a look at how iPads have modified over the past decade, taking a look at 4 key intervals of their evolution, plus whether or not fashions are nonetheless getting software program updates from Apple.
2019-20: iPad Air and iPad Mini get first upgrades in years
Final 12 months noticed a number of vital updates to Apple’s pill traces, together with:
- An even bigger display screen on Apple’s fundamental, least expensive iPad, boosting the display screen dimension from 9.7-inches as much as 10.2 inches with out making the general system dimension any bigger.
- The relaunch of the iPad Air, which hadn’t had a refresh for a number of years. The relaunched Air was comparable in specs and design to the 10.5-inch iPad Professional, although and not using a facial recognition digital camera and with a Lightning connector as an alternative of USB-C.
- The primary new iPad Mini for 4 years; it got here with just about the identical design however a way more highly effective processor.
- A redesigned iPad Professional within the early months of 2020, launching second-generation 11-inch hand fourth-generation 12.9-inch choices.
Unsurprisingly, all of Apple’s 2019 and early 2020 iPads are nonetheless receiving updates, so in case you discover one used or on sale for reasonable within the close to future, you need to get a few years of use with out having to fret about safety and software program points.
For instance, the seventh-generation iPad, which has been outdated, remains to be on sale within the likes of Currys for £299, £30 off its authentic worth. Click on on the hyperlinks under to learn the way properly every pill carried out in our full opinions.
2015-2018: iPad goes Professional
This era noticed the introduction of the Professional to Apple’s iPad vary, with 4 totally different fashions (in numerous sizes) making their method into the arms of these in search of a premium pill.
The Professional was a leap ahead in what iPads have been able to, with a devoted connector for attaching a keyboard, together with, for the primary time, the flexibility to put in writing straight onto the display screen utilizing the first-generation Apple Pencil.
This was a busy time for Apple, launching 4 totally different iPad Professional fashions together with two new fundamental iPads and an up to date Mini.
Apple didn’t neglect extra budget-conscious customers, although, launching two new base-level iPads with decrease costs and specs just like that of the previous-generation iPad Air fashions, plus an up to date iPad Mini.
The entire iPads launched in 2015-2018 are nonetheless receiving updates, and could possibly be value searching for on the second hand or refurbished market, so long as you don’t thoughts not having the very newest tech.
2012-2014: iPad Mini and iPad Air enter the fray
In 2012, Apple launched the iPad Mini. With a a lot smaller 7.8-inch display screen, it was designed to enchantment to commuters who needed an iPad that was straightforward to carry with one hand whereas standing.
In our overview, revealed on-line in October 2012, we sung its praises: ‘In the event you discover 10-inch tablets too massive and hulking, the iPad Mini is the most effective different. It’s mild sufficient to carry in a single hand, quick and straightforward to make use of, and the battery lasts ages. In the event you can swallow the marginally greater worth in comparison with rivals, it’s your greatest guess’.
Apple issued two new era Minis in 2013 and 2014. Nevertheless, not one of the Minis from this period are nonetheless receiving software program updates, so in case you’re in search of an ultra-portable iPad your greatest guess is prone to be the iPad Mini (Fifth-gen).
Discover out if the 2019 Pad Mini did in addition to its predecessor in our professional overview.
In 2013, the primary iPad Air arrived, weighing 469g in comparison with the iPad 4’s 652g. It was additionally a lot slimmer. There was a quicker processor inside, too, justifying its premium worth of £479. On the time, we known as it ‘probably the greatest tablets we’ve ever examined’.
Together with the Mini, the Air received a revamp in 2014, with a greater display screen and thinner, lighter design respectively. The 2014 iPad Air 2 remains to be receiving software program updates, although its 2013 predecessor isn’t.
2010-2012: 4 generations in three years
All of which brings us again to the delivery of the iPad. Between 2010 and 2012, Apple launched at least 4 totally different variations of the unique iPad. Whereas cutting-edge on the time, a few of them would now seem museum relics within the face of current updates, and none of them are nonetheless receiving software program updates.
- 2010 iPad: This weighed what would now be thought-about a ridiculous quantity for a sub-10-inch pill, tipping the scales at 680g. The newest mannequin weighs 200g much less and has a bigger display screen. It’s onerous to consider, however the very first iPad had no digital camera.
- 2011 iPad 2: The dearth of digital camera was rectified with the second-generation mannequin, which was endowed with each a front- and rear-facing digital camera. They weren’t a lot good although. In our overview, revealed on-line in December 2011, we stated the cameras have been ‘merely common’, producing ‘grainy’ images.
- 2012 iPad (Third-gen): A bit over a 12 months later, a 3rd era had appeared, with much-improved display screen, processor, and higher cameras.
- 2012 iPad (4th-gen): Sizzling on model three’s heels, the fourth-gen iPad was the primary to function Apple’s Lightning connector, which remains to be in use at the moment on nearly all of its iOS gadgets. We stated it was the best at-home pill, though it was nonetheless very ‘heavy and awkward’ to carry out and about.
Do I would like the very newest iPad?
Apple’s delivered a veritable cornucopia of gadgets in a decade. The excellent news for pill patrons is that this implies there are many second-hand and refurbished fashions accessible in case you’re prepared to sacrifice that new-tablet scent to avoid wasting a bit of cash, and choosing a current earlier era mannequin may reduce prices with out you having to make too many sacrifices.
That stated, we wouldn’t advocate you go for a second-hand mannequin that isn’t receiving software program updates from Apple, as you gained’t get vital safety updates and a few software program could cease being appropriate before anticipated.
In follow, with the one exception of the 2014 iPad Air 2, which means choosing a tool launched in 2015 onwards. Keep in mind that, given Apple’s current flurry of launches, the older of those is probably not supported for an excessive amount of longer both.
In the event you’re already utilizing an older iPad, learn extra on this in our guide to using older phones and tablets safely.
