Apple has launched two new iPads at the iPhone 13 event – an all-new iPad Mini and an iPad (9th Gen). Both devices come with a massive leap in performance and features from their previous iterations.
So now we have four different versions of the iPad. In this article, we will compare all the iPads available in the market and tell you which one is best for your needs. If you are planning to buy an iPad, we would suggest you bookmark this iPad guide for future reference.
iPad Mini (2021) – Best if you want a small form factor
Other than the iPhone 13, the iPad Mini was the biggest attraction of yesterday’s “California Streaming” event. The iPad Mini (2021) comes with an all-new design with rounded corners and narrower bezels.
It features a 8.3-inch display, up from the 7.9-inch panel on the iPad Mini (2019). That said, it is still the smallest iPad among all. After this comes the standard iPad that features a 10.2-inch screen. If you want something that can fit in the palm of your hand, then iPad Mini is the perfect one for you.
The iPad mini is also the only one that comes with 5G support, other than the iPad Pro. Under the hood, it has the same A15 Bionic chip as in the latest iPhone 13. Apple says the new chip delivers 40% faster performance and 80 % faster graphics.
The Liquid Retina display offers 500 nits of peak brightness and comes with a reflective coating. The iPad Mini also supports the Apple Pencil which can be attached to the side.
The iPad Mini India price starts at Rs 46,900 for 64GB + WiFi variant and goes up to Rs 74,900 for 256GB + WiFi & Cellular version.
iPad (2021) – Best for iPad experience under budget
Besides the iPad Mini, Apple has also refreshed the standard iPad. The iPad (9th Gen) features the A13 Bionic chip from the iPhone 11 lineup, and the 10.2-inch Retina display comes with True Tone technology.
The 1.2MP FaceTime camera has now been replaced with a 12MP ultra-wide front camera. Apple has also dropped the 32GB storage option. The new storage options are 64GB and a whopping 256GB.
The best part is that there hasn’t been a change in the price. The iPad (2021, 9th Gen) starts at Rs 30,900 for 64GB+ WiFi variant and goes up to Rs 30,900 for 256GB + WiFi & Cellular version.
If this is your first time buying an iPad and you are low on budget, then the iPad 2021 is the best option for you. Although it isn’t as powerful as others and has large bezels, it’s still a good choice for beginners.
iPad Air (2020) – Best for multimedia experience
Last year’s iPad Air is still the best Apple has to offer. The device houses the iPhone 12 lineup’s A14 bionic chip, an all-screen design and USB-Type C support.
The device comes with a 10.9-inch Liquid retina display that has true-tone, anti-reflective coating, and P3 Wide colour. The narrow bezels and huge screen make it the perfect iPad for watching media.
Similar to the iPad Mini, it comes with a 12MP wide camera on the back. However, it falls short when it comes to the front camera. The iPad Air (2020) carries a 7MP FaceTime camera on the front, meanwhile, all the new iPad variants are coming with at least a 12MP ultrawide camera.
Still, the iPad Air is a good option if you want a larger screen, enough power to handle video editing and Apple Pencil support (2nd gen). iPad Air (4th Gen, 2020) is priced at Rs 54,900 for 64GB+ WiFi variant and goes up to Rs 80,900 for 256GB + WiFi & Cellular version.
iPad Pro (2021) – Best for power users
The iPad Pro lineup is where Apple brings out the big guns. The iPad Pro was refreshed in April 2021 and comes with a powerful M1 chip. It’s the same chip that Apple is using in the new Macs.
That means the iPad Pro will have no trouble doing heavy video editing and running high-end games. Although you can connect other iPads with a keyboard, the iPad Pro is perfect for replacing your laptop.
The iPad Pro comes in two screen sizes – 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The latter version comes with a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display which can deliver up to 1600 nits of peak brightness. Both Pro models have a 120Hz refresh rate.
At the rear is a dual-camera setup with a 12MP Wide lens and 10MP Ultra-Wide lens. Meanwhile, the front camera houses a 12MP true depth lens. The iPad Pro also has a LiDAR sensor for improved AR experiences.
The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 71,900 for 128GB + WiFi variant and goes up to Rs 1,84,900 for 2TB + WiFi & Cellular version. On the other hand, the 12.2-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 99,900 for 128GB+ WiFi variant and goes up to Rs 2,12,900 for 2TB + WiFi & Cellular version.
The iPad is only for people who really need the performance of a high-end laptop on a smaller form factor. Otherwise, the iPad Air and the iPad Mini are wonderful options that strike the perfect balance in productivity and multimedia.
iPad Mini vs iPad vs iPad Air vs iPad Pro: Specifications comparison
Here is a specification comparison of all the iPad models in the market right now –
