Which is the best iPad? Is it the Air, Pro, Mini or regular model?

	Editor’s tip
Product name
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Technical specifications	10.9-inch display with 2,360 x 1,640 pixels | True Tone | 500 nits Apple A14 Bionic SoC 64 or 256 GB of internal storage WiFi and LTE model 12 MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture 7 MP selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture Up to 10 hours runtime on WLAN Up to 9 hours runtime on a mobile network
Pros
Cons
Rating
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You can also opt for the iPad Air 2021 by forking out an additional $100. Visually, the iPad Air is already reminiscent of the Pro models with thin bezels, but the display technology is still an IPS LCD display. It has a 2,360 x 1,640 pixels resolution and supports True Tone, the large P3 color space, and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. The display size stands at 10.9-inches across diagonally.

The display sits in an aluminum case, which is reminiscent of the current iPhone models in terms of design. The iPad Air 2021 measures 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 millimeters (H x W x D) and weighs 458 grams (WiFi), or 460 grams for the LTE version. Apple also installed stereo speakers at the top and bottom sides, while Touch ID is similar to the iPad mini. Features of the chassis include a Smart Connector for compatible cases and a magnetic port to charge the Apple Pencil.

In terms of performance, the iPad Air 2021 with its A14 Bionic SoC is one generation behind the iPad mini. Like all models mentioned so far, you can choose between a WiFi and a cellular version, in 64 or 256 GB capacities. The iPad Air also has the advantage that allows you to connect to compatible hardware via USB-C.

The selfie camera of the iPad Air has a resolution of 7 megapixels, which is lower than that of the iPad mini. Furthermore, there is no ultra-wide-angle camera in front, which means you have to live without the vaunted follow mode. The rear camera has a resolution of 12 megapixels and is rather fast with an f/1.8 aperture. You can choose between 4K and 1080p videos with a maximum of 60 frames per second. In addition, it can shoot slow-motion videos in 1,080p at 120 or 240 frames per second.

The battery of the iPad Air 2021 is rated at 28.6 watt hours. Thus, the model, like all the other models, manages to achieve 10 hours of video playback or surfing via a WLAN network. The cellular model lasts one hour less with an active cellular connection.

	Editor’s recommendation	Value-for-money iPad Pro
Product name
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Technical data	11-inch display with 2.388 x 1.668 pixels | True Tone | 600 nits | 120 Hz Apple M1 SoC 128 GB to 2 TB of internal storage WiFi and 5G model Dual rear cameras (12 & 10 MP) | LiDAR sensor TrueDepth camera on the front | Face ID | follow mode Up to 10 hours runtime on WLAN Up to 9 hours runtime on a mobile network	12.9 inch display with 2,732 x 2,048 pixels | True Tone | 1,600 Nits | 120 Hz | Mini LED technology Apple M1 SoC 128 gigabyte to 2 terabyte internal storage WiFi and 5G model Dual camera with 12 & 10 MP on the back | LiDAR sensor TrueDepth camera on the front | Face ID | follow mode Up to 10 hours runtime on WLAN Up to 9 hours runtime on cellular network
Pros	Great performance thanks to the M1 chip and Thunderbolt port Integrated 5G also makes the iPad faster when mobile Great sound Very good battery life, especially on standby Center Stage is absolutely great! 1st generation Magic Keyboard also works with the new model
Cons	iPadOS urgently needs an update to make the performance worthwhile The small 11” version doesn’t have an XDR display The front camera is not optimally placed
Rating	Read review Visually, the iPad 2021 is not an evolution from its predecessor. The performance boost, on the other hand, is a revolution.
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The two Pro models start from $799 onwards with the iPad Pro (11-inch) while the larger 12.9-inch variant is priced from $1,099. You can only choose between Space Gray and Silver colors. As we will find out later, there is a lot more storage options to choose from.

Since there are two models for the Pro model, the displays also differ. Apple uses an IPS panel with LED backlight on the 11-inch variant with a resolution of 2,388 x 1,668 pixels. For the first time, the manufacturer offers a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. The display is also True Tone compatible, and it also supports the large P3 color space. Apple uses a Liquid Retina XDR display for the 12.9-inch model, where the modern mini-LED background technology delivers a resolution of 2,732 x 2,048 pixels. Pro Motion support is also on board here. However, the display of the 12.9-inch model is superior in terms of brightness as it achieves a maximum of 1600 nits, provided you watch HDR content. The contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 is almost as good as OLED. Both displays are compatible with the second generation of the Apple Pencil.

The different display sizes naturally lead to different device sizes. The iPad Pro 11 measures 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 millimeters, while the 12.9-inch model is much larger and thicker at 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 millimeters. Needless to say, the weight of the larger iPad Pro is also higher, where the 11-inch model weighs 466 grams sans the LTE module and 468 grams with the LTE module. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro tips the scales at 682 or 684 grams, respectively. The case is made of aluminum for both.

Compared to all other iPad models, the Pro models offer a clear performance advantage. This is due to the presence of Apple’s M1 chips. The ARM-based SoCs offer eight CPU cores, eight GPU cores, and are mated to either 8 or 16 GB RAM. Thus, the iPad Pro models from 2021 are currently the most powerful tablets available on the market.

The tablets also offer advantages in terms of multimedia features. The iPad Pros offer four speakers at the top and bottom and a total of four microphones. In addition, the models support Apple’s reliable Face ID, which allows you to unlock the tablet by looking at the display. A Smart Connector for accessories is also on board, and the Pro models even support USB 4 and Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C.

Apple also offers more powerful cameras on the most expensive iPads. The selfie camera, which is located next to the sensors for Face ID, comes at 12 megapixels resolution. As a “TrueDepth” camera, it supports a digital portrait mode. The aforementioned follow mode is also included as well. The selfie camera covers a field of view of 122 degrees. One thing that is worth mentioning is the support of Smart HDR 3 apart from video recordings in 1080p at a maximum of 60 frames per second.

At the back, the most expensive iPad models offer two cameras combined with a LiDAR sensor. The Pro camera system offers a 12 MP main camera and an f/1.8 aperture as well as an ultra-wide-angle camera with a 125-degree field of view and an aperture of f/2.4. The wide-angle camera manages video recording at 60 frames per second at maximum 4K resolution, while for the ultra wide-angle lens, you will have to be content with Full HD. Another exciting feature is the LiDAR sensor, which can obtain accurate depth information. This makes the Pro models particularly suitable for AR applications and you can even record 3D scans of objects.

The battery capacities also differ between the two models. The 11-inch model offers 28.65 watt-hours, while the 12.9-inch version offers 40.88 watt-hours. Like all other iPads, this should allow up to 10 hours of surfing or videos on WLAN or 9 hours when surfing via the mobile data network.

In 2022, Apple will most likely launch new iPad models. What is particularly exciting here is what Apple has in store for the basic iPad. After all, this model stands out from the existing range of iPads in terms of both design and some features. The manufacturer might decide to make the iPad compatible with USB-C in 2022, who knows? This means there will most likely be a new Apple Pencil in the pipeline, or the basic iPad will receive compatibility with the 2nd generation of the Apple Pencil.

However, that would also have a follow-up problem, since the stylus is charged on the side of the tablet. Apple would therefore have to take a look at the base iPad’s form factor at the back, and thus an entire new design would be required. We will probably see what that looks like this year as new developments unfold. Or perhaps Apple will trust in the old qualities of its basic tablet? Who knows?

The iPad Pro models could make another significant leap in performance by using Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max processors. The new SoCs are already being used in the new MacBook Pro models. The future of the iPad Air and iPad mini is still relatively up in the air.

There will probably be incremental updates, which means that there could be more powerful processors, sharper cameras, and better screens. It also remains exciting whether Apple will rely on more modern display technologies like OLED or its XDR displays in 2022. With these, Apple could draw level with competitors like Samsung or Xiaomi.

What are your hopes for the upcoming iPad generations? Let us know in the comments!

iPadOS 15

In the introduction to this article, we wrote about one big advantage that all iPads have in common. This, of course, refers to Apple’s operating system. iPadOS is sleek, easy to use and powerful. At the same time, it is a heavily customized version of Apple’s iOS 15, and this sets Apple apart from the competition. After all, Android is still cumbersome and error-prone on tablets.

Cases and keyboard covers

For additional flexibility and security in everyday life, Apple offers a number of accessories for all iPad models. Especially popular among users are cases and keyboard covers, which can add important functions in addition to more security. For example, you can use a Smart Folio cover to protect the display of your iPad as well as to angle the entire tablet a bit. The keyboard covers also help you type, and with more expensive models you even get an additional trackpad.

Apart from Apple, other manufacturers also offer cases and keyboard covers for Apple’s iPad. When buying, you should make sure that the case is actually compatible with your model and screen size. It is also particularly practical if the accessory makes use of Apple’s Smart Connector.

Styluses for Apple’s iPads

Apple’s own styluses are called “Apple Pencil” and “Apple Pencil 2nd Generation”. We have already described the compatibilities in detail. In short, all iPads are compatible with the 2nd generation, except for the basic iPad. This is because only this has the required Lightning port to charge the stylus. However, the first generation Pencil cannot be magnetically held on all the other iPads. It is priced from $99 and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil costs $129.