Android devices rule the worldwide smartphone market, but Apple is still the king in the tablet realm. Steve Jobs introduced the tablet as we know it nearly a decade ago, and with this, Apple carved out an entirely new product niche that blurs the line between “portable device” and “computer.” The gutsy move would prove to be a game changer, and now other brands like Samsung and Amazon are making a few excellent tablets of their own – but not one of them has been able to claim the iPad’s throne.
The huge popularity of today’s tablets is a testament to the portability and versatility of these devices, with some of the biggest tech companies jumping into the ring to claim a slice of the Apple pie. It’s not hard to see why they’re so hot: Tablets like the iPad are perfect for on-the-go entertainment, web browsing, and other daily tasks where a full-sized laptop simply isn’t necessary. Your iPad can even be pressed into service as a lightweight laptop-like device with a good wireless Bluetooth keyboard, or better yet, Apple’s own Smart Keyboard if the iPad is one of the newer units with a Smart Connector.
We’re all aware that iOS tech can drain your wallet quickly, and one of the biggest draws of iPads is that (with the sole exception of the iPad Pro) they are reasonably affordable in contrast to other Apple products like the iPhone, MacBook, AirPods, and virtually everything else sporting an Apple logo. But why pay retail price? The big 2019 holiday sales are over, but you don’t have to look too hard for a solid deal if you’re in the market for a new iPad. We’ve already done the heavy lifting for you, sniffing out the best online iPad deals and collecting them all right here in this up-to-date list — and once you’ve scored your new favorite tablet, be sure to head over to the App Store after you pick one up to look over all the awesome Apple Arcade games and services.
Today’s best iPad deals
- — $279 (was $329)
- — $399 (was $559)
- — $384
- — $579 (was $629)
- — $729 (was $799)
- — Up to $280 discount on select models
iPad deals
Sometimes, you just can’t beat the original. The standard entry-level Apple iPad is the one that started it all, and although it’s been updated half a dozen times since its first release, the classic design is still hugely popular. The new 1019 10.2-inch iPad remains our favorite all-around tablet, and it’s the one we recommend for most folks. The current seventh-generation 2019 iPad models feature a speedy A10 Fusion chip and 3GB of RAM (up 1GB from the sixth-gen model). Its 10.2-inch touch display, slightly larger this time thanks to slimmed-down bezels, has a crisp high-definition resolution of 2,160 x 1,620.
It’s also considerably lighter and less bulky compared to its predecessors, coming in at around the same size as the original iPad Air. It comes in such colors as space gray, black, rose gold, silver, and pink, not to mention it’s loaded with the new feature-rich iPadOS mobile operating system. Plus, if you buy it directly from Apple, you can also get the Apple Pencil — great for artists, graphic designers, and those of you who are more education-focused. The 10.2-inch iPad is competitively priced and not prohibitively expensive, making it hands-down the best Apple iPad deal you’ll find.
iPad Air deals
Apple surprised pretty much everyone when the company suddenly rolled out a new iPad Air earlier this year despite rumors that the line was quietly being retired. The surprise was a very pleasant one: The new iPad Air is so good it almost makes you wonder why you’d even bother paying extra for the Pro, and it’s a superb upgrade pick over the standard iPad if you want something better but don’t want to pay $700 or $800 for a tablet. The new Air is similar to the last-gen iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch Retina display, arguably placing it in the “Goldilocks zone” of tablet sizes.
It runs on Apple’s newer A12 Bionic chip architecture and 3GB of RAM as well, which are very good specs for browsing, watching videos, work, and even some mobile gaming. It also has a front-facing camera if you want to FaceTime your loved ones. The standard 64GB iPad Air goes for $500, making this slim tablet a nice middle option between the standard iPad and the beefier (and pricier) iPad Pro — and an even better value if you catch it on sale.
iPad Pro deals
The iPad Pro is the larger, beefier sibling of the standard 10.2-inch iPad, featuring more powerful hardware and a larger display similar to a laptop or many Chromebooks. The higher-quality 2018 Pro comes in two sizes: The new version with an 11-inch screen (replacing the older Pro, which was the same size as the standard iPad) and one with a 12.9-inch display. With more power and more screen, many opt to add a stylus, keyboard, or some other accessory into the mix to get the most out of their new iPad.
Under the hood, both of the current-generation iPad Pro models run on a beefed-up A12X Bionic CPU and 4GB of RAM (or 6GB in the 1TB model) for snappy performance. The 11-inch Pro display has a sharp 2,388 x 1,668 HD resolution, while the 12.9-inch offers an increased 2,732 x 2,048 pixels of screen real estate. Both feature Apple’s stunning proprietary Retina display technology as well as Face ID for protection.
As the “upgrade model” in the Apple tablet lineup, the 2018 Pro is a bit pricier than the standard cheap iPad with a starting price of $799. The Pro lineup has been on sale a lot during the recent seasonal sales, though, so you can forget about paying retail with the above iPad Pro deals.
iPad Mini deals
With the last-gen iPad Mini 4 having been released in 2014, Apple’s pint-sized tablet was long, long overdue for a refresh – one it finally got earlier this year. The newest iPad Mini 5 (simply called the “iPad Mini,” with Apple dropping the number in the name) was launched without much warning right alongside the new iPad Air. Our take? It’s a lovely, tiny beast that punches well above its weight, and if you’re in the market for a smaller tablet, the iPad Mini is the only one you should even be looking at. Its 7.9-inch Retina touch display is gorgeous, and it runs on the same snappy A12 Bionic chipset as the iPad Air.
If the larger iPads are too bulky for your tastes, then the Mini is a great alternative choice as an on-the-go multitasking machine that won’t take up a ton of space in your bag. The 2019 iPad Mini launched at $399, but the price is slowly coming down a bit (not at huge discounts yet, but any savings are good), or you can opt for one of the earlier fourth-generation models and save even more cash.
Looking for more great tech deals? Find iPhone deals, MacBook deals, laptop deals, Apple Watch deals, and much more on our curated deals page.
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