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Hi, I have an iPad Air 3rd generation that I bought in June 2019. It’s time for a new iPad. I’ve been happy with the iPad Air 3rd generation. I use my iPad a lot instead of my laptop. I’m looking for suggestions on what to buy next.
Or should I hold off until 2024 models come out?
Thanks.
All current iPad models are capable of running the current iPadOS Operating System - this being iPadOS 17.x
All iPad models have broadly the same core capabilities. Models essentially differ in their ultimate performance and physical attributes. iPad Pro models use FaceID for biometric user-authentication, while others use TouchID.
You can compare iPad models here:
The iPad9 is the current entry-level iPad. The iPads Pro are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, with cutting edge capabilities and hardware. Between these two extremes is the iPad Air5, this model offering a mid-range high performance option. The new iPad10 is cheaper than the iPad Air - and differs in position of the front-facing camera. The iPad mini6 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.
All current models of iPad support either the first or second generation Apple Pencil; models with a USB-C port also support the new USB-C Pencil. For handwritten notes and sketches, support for Apple Pencil may be relevant. Ensure that you choose the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad - as they are not interchangeable. Here is the definitive compatibility list:
Apple Pencil compatibility - Apple Support
iPad models that support the second generation Apple Pencil are paired and charged using the magnetic charging dock on the edge of the iPad. This greatly simplifies charging of the Pencil - as the Pencil is kept optimally charged whenever it is not being actively used. The second generation Pencil has some additional features - aiding drawing capabilities. Also consider that the USB-C Pencil does feature pressure sensitivity.
Also perhaps consider that the iPad Pro 12.9" model is the only iPad to use the miniLED backlit XDR display. This display is not only the largest in the iPad range, but is also the most power-efficient and offers greatest contrast and brightness of any model iPad - and also includes reference modes for professional colour grading. Also note that the current iPad Pro models with 1TB/2TB storage options have 16GB RAM, whereas the others have "only" 8GB RAM (this still being greater than other iPad models).
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.
Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.
All current iPad models are capable of running the current iPadOS Operating System - this being iPadOS 17.x
All iPad models have broadly the same core capabilities. Models essentially differ in their ultimate performance and physical attributes. iPad Pro models use FaceID for biometric user-authentication, while others use TouchID.
You can compare iPad models here:
The iPad9 is the current entry-level iPad. The iPads Pro are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, with cutting edge capabilities and hardware. Between these two extremes is the iPad Air5, this model offering a mid-range high performance option. The new iPad10 is cheaper than the iPad Air - and differs in position of the front-facing camera. The iPad mini6 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.
All current models of iPad support either the first or second generation Apple Pencil; models with a USB-C port also support the new USB-C Pencil. For handwritten notes and sketches, support for Apple Pencil may be relevant. Ensure that you choose the correct Apple Pencil for your chosen iPad - as they are not interchangeable. Here is the definitive compatibility list:
Apple Pencil compatibility - Apple Support
iPad models that support the second generation Apple Pencil are paired and charged using the magnetic charging dock on the edge of the iPad. This greatly simplifies charging of the Pencil - as the Pencil is kept optimally charged whenever it is not being actively used. The second generation Pencil has some additional features - aiding drawing capabilities. Also consider that the USB-C Pencil does feature pressure sensitivity.
Also perhaps consider that the iPad Pro 12.9" model is the only iPad to use the miniLED backlit XDR display. This display is not only the largest in the iPad range, but is also the most power-efficient and offers greatest contrast and brightness of any model iPad - and also includes reference modes for professional colour grading. Also note that the current iPad Pro models with 1TB/2TB storage options have 16GB RAM, whereas the others have "only" 8GB RAM (this still being greater than other iPad models).
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.
Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.
You may want to explore the descriptions, and use the comparison tool, at iPad - Apple .
It looks like most of the models weigh about a pound, except for the iPad mini (two-thirds of a pound) and the 12.9" iPad Pro (one and a half pounds). Most now have USB-C (the Pros also have Thunderbolt). Storage options are 64 GB or 256 GB on all of the models except the Pros, where you can get up to 2 TB. The Pros use Face ID; the others, Touch ID.
The iPad Air and iPad Pro have much more RAM than the others. These three models support Stage Manager . The regular iPads and iPad Minis don't.
I don't know what your budget and needs are, but personally, I'd be reluctant to buy
Rough comparison guide (based on Apple site and MacTracker)
iPad Pro – 11.9" (4th generation) and 12.9" (6th generation)
M2 processor. 128 GB to 2 TB of storage. 8 GB of RAM – or 16 GB on models with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage.
Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color. Fully laminated with anti-reflective coating.
12.9" model has mini-LED backlit display for playing HDR video content, but weighs 1.5 pounds.
USB-C port has support for USB4 and Thunderbolt.
Two rear cameras, instead of just one.
From $799 / $999 USD (11.9" model) or $1099 / $1299 USD (12.9" model).
iPad Air (5th generation) – 10.9"
M1 processor. 8 GB of RAM.
Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color. Fully laminated with anti-reflective coating.
From $599 / $749 USD.
iPad – 10th generation (10.9")
A14 Bionic processor. 4 GB of RAM (source: MacTracker).
Liquid Retina display with sRGB color (not P3 wide color).
From $449 / $599 USD.
iPad – 9th generation (10.2")
A13 Bionic processor. 3 GB of RAM (source: MacTracker).
Retina display with sRGB color (not P3 wide color).
No USB-C port – instead, there is a Lightning port (a legacy port now being phased out).
Wi-Fi 5 (older version). No 5G – just LTE (data only) on cellular models.
Wide camera has only 8 MP. Cannot take 4K video (all the others can).
From $329 / $459 USD.
iPad mini – 6th generation (8.3")
A15 Bionic processor. 64 GB or 256 GB of storage. 4 GB of RAM (source: MacTracker).
Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color. Fully laminated with anti-reflective coating.
From $499 / $649 USD.
It appears that your iPad Air (3rd generation) is compatible with the latest version of iPadOS – iPadOS 17. It won't be able to take advantage of Stage Manager – probably because it only has 3 GB of RAM. But there may be other things in iPadOS 17 that would be nice to have.
How to download iPadOS 17 - Apple Support
Note that if you do install iPadOS 17, this is a one-way upgrade. You can't go back.
What ipad to buy or to wait?
