Apple just shook up its iPad lineup for 2020. The tablet continues to be a popular option for remote learning and work and two of its models are getting performance boosts. The current lineup for Apple’s iPad includes the 2020 eighth-gen 10.2-inch iPad, fourth-gen 10.5-inch iPad Air and the second-gen 11- and fourth-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released earlier this year. There’s also the fifth-gen 2019 7.9-inch iPad Mini.
Read more: The best 2020 iPad deals: The 10.2-inch model is back on sale for $250
The features and performance get better as you move up in the line. Regardless of the iPad you go with, though, all the current iPad models support the latest version of iPadOS and work with one of Apple’s Smart Keyboards and either the first- or second-gen Apple Pencil. That’s good news for anyone looking to do more than play Apple Arcade games, look at websites and stream videos and music. Plus, all of the current models support mouse and trackpad use for a more MacBook-like experience.
Apple/Screenshot by Josh Goldman/CNET
That said, iPads hold their value, and there’s generally a huge market for older used and refurbished models. Availability dried up some over the past several months with more people working and learning from home. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal before you buy an iPad.
Read more: How to pick the best iPad keyboard trackpad case
iPad 2020 vs. iPad Air 2020 vs. iPad Pro 2020 specs
| iPad 2020 (10.2) | iPad Air 2020 (10.9) | iPad Pro 2020 (11) | iPad Pro 2020 (12.9) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 2,160×1,620-pixel resolution | 2,360×1,640-pixel resolution | 2,388×1,668-pixel resolution | 2,732×2,048-pixel resolution |
| Pixel density (ppi) | 264 ppi | 264 ppi | 264 ppi | 264 ppi |
| Rear camera | 8-megapixel f2.4 | 12-megapixel f1.8 | 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide | 12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide |
| Video recording | 1080p at 30fps | 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps; 1080p slo-mo at 120 or 240fps | 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide) | 4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide) |
| FaceTime front-facing camera | 1.2-megapixel photos; 720p video | 7-megapixel photos; 1080p video | 7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video | 7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video |
| Processor | A12 | A14 | A12Z | A12Z |
| Dimensions | 9.8×6.8×0.29 inches | 9.7x7x0.24 inches | 9.7x7x0.23 inches | 11×8.5×0.23 inches |
| Weight | 1.08 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.09 lbs. (LTE) | 1 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.01 lbs. (LTE) | 1.04 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.04 lbs. (LTE) | 1.41 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.42 lbs.(LTE) |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular | Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular | Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular | Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular |
| Headphone jack | Yes | No | No | No |
| Connector port | Lightning; Apple Smart Connector | USB-C; Apple Smart Connector | USB-C; Apple Smart Connector | USB-C; Apple Smart Connector |
| Apple Pencil-compatibility | Yes; first generation | Yes; second generation | Yes; second generation | Yes; second generation |
| Unlock with | Touch ID | Touch ID | Face ID | Face ID |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| SIM card support for cellular model | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM | Nano-SIM; eSIM |
| iPad Keyboard compatibility | Smart Keyboard | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio |
| Audio | Two-speaker | Two-speaker | Four-speaker | Four-speaker |
| Capacity and price: Wi-Fi models | $329 (32GB) / $429 (128GB) | $599 (64GB) / $749 (256GB) | $799 (64GB) / $899 (256GB) / $1,099 (512GB) / $1,299 (1TB) | $999 (128GB) / $1,099 (256GB) / $1,299 (512GB) / $1,499 (1TB) |
| Capacity and price: LTE models | $459 (32GB) / $559 (128GB) | $729 (64GB) / $879 (256GB) | $949 (64GB) / $1,049 (256GB) / $1,249 (512GB) / $1,449 (1TB) | $1,149 (128GB) / $1,249 (256GB) / $1,449 (512GB) / $1,649 (1TB) |
Apple
The least expensive iPad is also the one we’re most likely to recommend for people looking for a new iPad for the family and general use. For 2020, Apple put in a faster A12 processor for the 10.2-inch iPad, giving it a performance boost over the previous model. That’s the same processor running the third-gen iPad Air. It’s also the last remaining full-size iPad with a headphone jack.
That said, the last-gen model is still a good pick. It can handle the latest iPadOS just fine and should perform all the basic iPad tasks for some time. Regardless if you go with the old or new model we have one word of caution: The base 32GB of storage can fill up fast, so we recommend going with the 128GB version if possible.
Read our iPad 2020 hands-on.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Apple just announced the update to its iPad Air with a supercharged new processor, the A14. The 2020 Air is the first device to use this chip and since the new Air won’t be available until October we’re not sure how it will perform. However, it’s pretty much a given that it’ll be an improvement over the A12 in the 2019 Air.
The 2020 iPad Air gets a bigger 10.9-inch display but its slimmer bezels make it about the same size as the 2019 10.5-inch Air. Touch ID is embedded in the power button now, which should make unlocking easy. It also supports Apple Pencil 2 now as well as Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio. Plus, it has better cameras, faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 and switches from a Lightning port to a more universal USB-C port. But with all the improvements, it starts at $100 more than the prior generation. We haven’t tested the new model yet, but this is a must-get iPad for anyone looking for a fancier iPad.
The third-gen Air is still worth considering, however, especially if you can find it at a lower price now. The 2019 iPad Air is a lot like the 10.5-inch iPad Pro from 2017. Starting at $499, it’s built around a 10.5-inch Retina display like the 2017 Pro but has an updated A12 Bionic processor like the one powering the iPhone XS. If you want better performance and more storage space — there are 64GB or 256GB options — you should consider stepping up the Air. Plus, while it’s larger than the entry-level iPad, it actually weighs a hair less.
Read more.
Scott Stein/CNET
Whether you’re a digital artist or have waited years for an iPad that blurs the line between tablet and MacBook, the 2020 iPad Pro is what you want. Aside from different screen sizes (and respective resolutions) and weight, the 11- and 12.9-inch Pros are the same. If you’re considering the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you’ll likely want to spring for the 12.9-inch version for the significant increase in workspace. As for performance, this has all the latest and greatest components Apple’s iPads have to offer. If device longevity is key, you’ll want to pay the premium for the 2020 iPad Pro.
Read our Apple iPad Pro 2020 (12.9-inch) review.
Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET
The littlest iPad doesn’t look any different than it did in 2015, but for 2019 it got a faster A12 processor and Apple Pencil support. Those additions make the 7.9-inch Mini — starting at $399 (£399, AU$599) — a smart choice for those who want a smaller device for notetaking and sketching while also giving you better performance for games and more screen space than your phone for reading and videos (and you won’t be eating into your phone’s battery life, either). While its wide bezels make it look a dated compared to the rest of the lineup, at least it has Touch ID and a headphone jack to go along with them.
It’s worth noting, though, that the processor is now the same one found in the new 10.2-inch iPad, which starts at $329 with 32GB of storage. You do get 64GB in the base Mini and, although it’s smaller, it does have a higher-quality display and Bluetooth 5.0. Still, it looks like your mostly paying extra to get the same performance in a smaller body.
Read our Apple iPad Mini 2019 review.
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