What’s the Newest iPad?

Since the iPad’s 2010 debut, Apple has managed to put out over twenty new models, often with fancy names to denote different screen sizes or processing power. But it’s never really clear which iPad is the latest to come out, which can make shopping (or reselling) a little difficult.

Don’t fret, you can use this guide to see the latest iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. We’ll explain each iPad’s new features, why you should buy them, and how you can tell them apart from older models.

How to Check Which iPad You Own

Apple has released countless versions of the iPad lineup, and some models are nearly impossible to tell apart. Still, it’s helpful to know which iPad you own before buying a case or selling it to a friend. That’s why Apple has a handy iPad Identifier on its Support page—but isn’t there an easier way?

The quickest way to identify your iPad is to look up its model number on Google. To check your iPad’s model number, head to “Settings,” open the “General” tab, and press “About.” You should see your Model number at the bottom of the About page. Google it to see which iPad you own. If your iPad is broken or turned off, you can also find the model number on its backside near the charging port.

An iPad’s model number tells you which type of iPad it is, what year it’s from, and whether or not it has cellular support. If you need to check your iPad’s storage, go back to the “About” page and look for the word “Capacity.” You can also find your iPad’s storage on its backside near the printed model number.

iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen, 2021)

Apple’s entry-level iPad is the perfect tablet for the average person. It’s thin and light, yet it has a beautiful Retina display, a powerful A13 Bionic processor, and fantastic 10-hour battery life. For under $500, you really can’t go wrong.

Released in 2021, the 9th generation iPad runs on an A13 Bionic chip and has a comfortable 10.2-inch display. It still uses a Home button with Touch ID and charges via Lightning cable. It’s essentially a 2020 iPad Air in an old iPad form-factor.

The 2021 iPad looks identical to its predecessors, the 2020 and 2018 iPads. The only way to tell them apart is by looking at the model number. Like the 2020 and 2018 iPads, the 2021 iPad only works with the 1st gen Apple Pencil and doesn’t have the hardware needed for the 2nd gen Apple Pencil.

Here are all previous versions of the standard iPad:

• iPad (8th Gen) (2020)
• iPad (7th Gen) (2019)
• iPad (6th Gen) (2018)
• iPad (5th Gen) (2017)
• iPad (4th Gen) (2012)
• iPad (3rd Gen) (2012)
• iPad (2nd Gen) (2011)
• iPad (2010)

iPad Mini 8.3-inch (6th Gen, 2021)

At just 8.3 inches, the iPad Mini is the smallest tablet in Apple’s repertoire (though it is the largest iPad Mini of all time). It’s perfect for media consumption, mobile gaming, Zoom calls, and doodling, and it makes for a stellar travel companion.

Released in 2021, the 6th generation iPad Mini runs on the powerful A15 Bionic processor—which is more powerful than the 2020 iPad Air’s A14 chip! It’s also the first iPad Air to take on Apple’s flat-edged iPad design, sporting a side-mounted fingerprint reader instead of a Home button.

The 2021 iPad Mini is actually quite easy to identify, as it’s the first iPad Mini without a Home button. It’s also the first iPad Mini with a USB-C port and support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

Here’s a list of all older iPad Minis:

• iPad Mini 7.9-inch (5th Gen) (2019)
• iPad Mini (4th Gen) 2015)
• iPad Mini (3rd Gen) (2014)
• iPad Mini (2nd Gen) (2013/2014)
• iPad Mini (2012)

iPad Air 10.9-inch (4th Gen, 2020)

You can’t go wrong with an iPad Air. Its 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display is perfect for media consumption or gaming, and its A14 Bionic processor is an absolute powerhouse that can run any professional or creative iPadOS app. The iPad Air is the best tablet for someone who needs the power of an iPad Pro without all the expensive frills.

Released in 2020, the 4th generation iPad Air is a fantastic device that looks similar to the iPad Pro. It has an edge-to-edge display, a beefy A14 processor, and a USB-C port for faster charging and better USB accessory support. Still, the 2020 iPad Air uses Touch ID instead of Face ID, and it has a much smaller rear camera array than the iPad Pro.

The 2020 iPad Air is relatively easy to identify. It’s the first iPad Air with an edge-to-edge display (no Home button—Touch ID is in the power button), it has a USB-C port, and it’s the only iPad to come in fun colors like green and blue. It’s also the first iPad Air to feature Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard support.

Here’s a list of older iPad Airs:

• iPad Air (3rd Gen) (2019)
• iPad Air (2nd Gen) (2014)
• iPad Air (2013)

iPad Pro 11-inch & 12.9-inch (3nd & 5th Gen, 2021)

The iPad Pro is a powerhouse with every bell and whistle imaginable. Its M1 processor packs the same power as a MacBook, its massive Liquid Retina display has a 120Hz refresh rate, and its LiDAR sensor greatly expands the capabilities of AR applications. This is the Cadillac of iPads, and while most people should stick with the smaller, cheaper iPad Air, the Pro is for that person who just wants everything.

Released in 2021, the 11-inch iPad Pro (3nd Gen) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th Gen) are notable for their cutting-edge M1 processors and large, iPhone-like camera bumps. They also come with optional 5G support, and impressively, the 12.9-inch model has a Liquid Retina XDR display for HDR video.

Like the 2020 iPad Air and 2018 iPad Pro, the newest iPad Pro has a USB-C port for faster charging and wider accessory support.

The 2021 iPad Pro looks nearly identical to the 2020 iPad Pro. To tell them apart, you’ll need to check the model number. This model of iPad Pro has a USB-C port and supports both the 2nd gen Apple Pencil and magnetic Magic Keyboard.

Here’s a list of all previous versions of the iPad Pro:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Gen, 2020)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Gen) (2020)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Gen) (2018)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2018)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd Gen) (2017)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017)
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch (2016)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2015)