According to rumors, The new iPad is coming soon. According to reports, Apple plans to launch new iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad Mini this month. Most of the changes will be internal (such as an updated processor for faster performance), while the external design will remain mostly the same (except for the possibility of a new 12.9-inch iPad Air and an OLED display on iPad Pro models).
But even though a next-gen version is coming soon, the current model is still worth buying, especially if you don’t want to pay full price for an Apple tablet and don’t need the latest features. Below, we’ve rounded up the best deals on our favorite iPads, as well as some useful accessories. Not sure which one to buy? Check out our guides to the best iPads and best iPad accessories.
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iPad deals
The iPad Air (8/10, recommended by WIRED) features a 10.9-inch LCD display, Touch ID built into the power button, and a USB-C port. Under the hood is the M1 processor, the same as the 2020 MacBook Air. If you’re looking for an iPad with slightly more performance than the ninth-generation version, this is a great choice. Despite rumors that Apple will launch a new version in the coming months, the iPad Air with M1 is still more than capable. It has dropped to $413 in the past, but regardless, it’s a good deal.
We called the 10th-generation iPad (7/10, Wired review ) an “awkward choice” — we recommend the 9th-generation model, mostly because of the price. But regardless, it has noteworthy features. In addition to a more modern design (no Home button and narrower bezels around the display), the selfie camera has been moved to the center of the iPad (which makes it more natural for video calls), and the rear camera has been upgraded. Powering it is Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which is also featured in the iPhone 12. But it’s worth noting that it often sells for this price.
The iPad Mini (8/10, recommended by WIRED) is our first choice for travel. It takes up very little space in my handbag and fits perfectly on the airplane tray table. The 8.3-inch display is also great for watching movies and reading e-books. If you use it for note-taking, it also supports second-generation and USB-C Apple Pencils. Under the hood is the A15 Bionic processor, so it can handle gaming and heavy applications with ease.
iPad accessories deals
We like this case from Speck, especially because it has built-in grooves for adjustable angles and a removable camera cover. If you have an Apple Pencil, you can store it in the built-in slot. There’s also a latch in place of the magnetic cover. It is worth noting that this protective case is suitable for the 10th generation iPad.
We don’t usually recommend the Magic Keyboard Folio because it’s too expensive.price did It was as low as $169 in November, but it’s still a good deal. Designed specifically for the 10th generation iPad, this case is divided into two parts: the front half covers the back and has a built-in kickstand, while the back half houses a detachable keyboard with trackpad. Super convenient for those who use their iPad to work during the day and watch TV at night.
The first-generation Apple Pencil had its drawbacks—you needed to remove the cap and plug the Lightning connector on the end of the stylus into the iPad to charge it, and there was no place on the iPad to connect it when you weren’t using it. But it still works well, and includes features like tilt sensitivity (for shading) and pressure sensitivity (lines become thicker when you press harder on the screen). Currently, the 9th and 10th generation iPads are the only models still using this feature. If you don’t want to buy through Amazon, it’s also on sale at Best Buy for $79 ($20 off).
This power adapter is a great accessory if you’re like me and often forget to have a charger for your devices when traveling. It comes with two USB-C ports (so you can connect two devices at the same time) and is rated at 35 watts, which is enough to charge the iPad Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It often drops to this price, but we still think it’s a good deal.