iPad Size Comparison Chart: Every iPad Generation Compared

Daniel Segun

08/07/22 •  11 min read

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Apple makes a bunch of iPads these days, and they’re all slightly different with respect to size, dimensions, specs, and design. Here’s a simple size comparison chart to show you how they’re all different…

iPad Size Comparison Chart – Models and Sizes

iPads are one of the trademark devices produced by Apple. In 2019, iPad sales generated up to $21.3 billion for the company making it the most selling product after the iPhone.

The Apple iPad used to be very similar to the iPhone; it ran the same software and, for all intents and purposes, was basically just a big iPhone.

However, things have shifted gears massively during the past couple of years. Apple has now started to differentiate the iPad from the iPhone through a ton of software and UX tweaks, making it more like a laptop than a large iPhone.

Thanks to iOS 15, the iPad now supports mouse, trackpads, and wireless keyboards.

Just like the iPhone, Apple has released various iPad models over the years since 2010 when the first iPad was released.

Here, we will be looking at all the iPad models that have been released since 2010, how they’re different, and what’s changed with regard to specs and hardware over the years.

By the end of this post, you’ll know everything there is to know about Apple’s entire iPad range.

Don’t forget to check out how long iPads last here.

iPad Sizes & How Each iPad Generation is Different

The major and most noticeable differences in Apple iPads are the screen size and dimension as you can see from the chart above. Here we’ll look at how Apple’s iPads are different with respect to specs and hardware:

• iPad Pro (4th and 2nd Generation 11 inches): These iPads use an A12Z Bionic Chip, Neural Engine, and M12 coprocessor. Both use Face ID for security Authentication and feature dual rear cameras; 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide. Up to 1TB storage is available.
• iPad Pro (3rd and 1st Generation 11 inches): These iPads use an A12X Bionic Chip, Neural Engine, and M12 coprocessor. They feature just a 12MP rear camera, Touch ID for security, and support up to 1TB storage.
• iPad Pro (1st and 2nd Generation 12.9 inches): The 12.9-inch version of the iPad Pro 1st and 2nd Generation devices feature an A9X bionic and A10X Fusion chip respectively. The 1st Generation supports up to 256GB with an 8MP wide rear camera while the 2nd Generation supports up to 512GB with a 12MP wide rear camera. Both use Touch ID for security.
• iPad Air (1st, 2, 3rd, and 4th Generation): These 4 iPad Air versions use very different chips and processors. The 1st Generation features an A7 chip with an M7 coprocessor, the iPad Air 2 features an A8X chip with an M8 coprocessor, while the 3rd Generation features a more recent A12 Bionic chip with an M12 coprocessor, and the new iPad Air 4th generation runs on Apple’s A14 Bionic chipset. The rear camera for the 1st Generation is 5MP wide, while the iPad Air 2 and 3rd Generation both feature 8MP wide cameras. A security authentication feature is absent in the 1st Generation but the other models use Touch ID. 256GB is supported in the 3rd Generation while the other supports a max of 128GB.
• iPad Pro (10.5 and 9.7 inches): The 10.5-inch iPad Pro uses an A10X fusion chip and supports up to 512GB while the 9.7-inch version uses an A9X chip and supports up to 256GB. Both have a 12MP wide rear camera and use Face ID for security.
• iPad (5th, 6th, and 7th Generation): These 3 iPad generations are almost the same except for the 1st Generation which uses an A9 chip; the 6th and 7th Generations feature an A10 chip. All support up to 128GB with 8MP wide rear cameras and Touch ID security authentication.
• iPad Mini (5th Generation): This device operates with an A12 Bionic chip with a neural engine and supports up to 256GB. It also features Touch ID with an 8MP wide rear camera.
• iPad Mini (4 and 3): Both iPads support up to 128GB but different chips. While the 4 has an A8 chip, the 3 has an A7 chip. Also, the 4 has an 8MP wide rear camera while the 3 has a 5MP wide rear camera. Both use Touch ID.
• iPad Mini (2 and 1): An A7 chip is featured in the iPad Mini 2 while an A5 chip is featured in the iPad Mini 1. The 2 supports up to 128GB while the 1 supports just 64GB at max. Both have 5MP wide rear cameras and feature no security authentication.

iPad Sizes – From Biggest To Smallest…

Apple now makes a bunch of iPads, and they’re all slightly different sizes – from very large to super-portable. Let’s go over the iPad sizes for all of Apple’s major iPad models, starting with the biggest and best iPad Apple makes, the iPad Pro.

iPad Pro Sizes

• iPad Pro 12.9 Size: 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm, 12.9in IPS LCD Screen
• iPad Pro 11 Size: 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm, 11in IPS LCD Screen

The iPad Pro (12.9in) model is the biggest iPad you can buy; it’s also the most powerful iPad too. There are also four iPad Pro 12.9in models in total to choose from – the first iPad Pro landed in 2015 and the most recent, the iPad Pro fourth generation, was launched in March 2020.

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View Latest Prices For This Model ✅

The latest iPad Pro models are the 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 and the iPad Pro 11, both of which are detailed above. You can still buy Apple’s older iPad Pro models, though you will have to do it through a third-party refurbished specialist like Gazelle – and you will save around 40% doing this too!

iPad Air Sizes

• iPad Air Size: 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm, 10.5in IPS LCD Display
• iPad Air 4th Generation Size: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm, 10.9in Liquid Retina Display

The iPad Air, launched in 2019, is Apple’s second-tier flagship. Sitting just below the iPad Pro in terms of pricing, the iPad Air is designed to offer a premium iPad experience, just without the imposing price tag of the iPad Pro.

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View Latest Prices For This Model ✅

The iPad Air is designed for pleasure, as a second screen to enjoy content on and the web, whereas the iPad Pro is designed as a work machine that also doubles as an awesome tablet.

The iPad Air, like the iPad Pro, however, does support the Apple Pencil, and you can pair wireless keyboards and mouse devices to it. The iPad Air just lacks some of the performance-punch you’ll find inside the iPad Pro.

iPad Size

• iPad Size: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm, 10.2in IPS LCD Display

The iPad is Apple’s entry-level iPad. It is designed to be cost-effective, powerful, simple to use, and is the one to go for if you’re after a relatively cheap Apple iPad.

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View Latest Prices For This Model ✅

The iPad does not pack in the same level of spec or hardware as the iPad Pro or iPad Air. This is why it retails for a lot less. It is still a great device, though, but it’s not quite as powerful as the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

If you’re just looking for a basic iPad, something to browse the web on, respond to emails, and run apps and games on, the entry-level iPad is a great option – it’s cheap, it runs all the same apps and games as the iPad Pro and iPad Air, and it looks gorgeous too.

iPad mini Sizes

• iPad mini Size: 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm, 7.9in IPS LCD Display

The iPad mini is the smallest iPad Apple makes; it has a 7.9in display and is great for those that are looking for a more portable iPad option. The iPad mini will fit pretty much anywhere – from your jacket pocket to a purse. And this makes it a great device for those that travel a lot.

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View Latest Prices For This Model ✅

The iPad mini carries more or less the same specifications and hardware as the standard, entry-level iPad; you have 3GB of RAM, Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, and up to 256GB of storage, though there is also a 64GB model available which is considerably cheaper.

The iPad mini is a popular choice with consumers that want a smaller second screen, something that is more pocketable and can be used with a single hand. The iPad mini is great for reading books on, browsing the web, playing games, and working/catching up with email on. It also supports the Apple Pencil too, so you can make notes on it as well.

What iPad Should I Buy?

Apple’s iPad comes in many shapes and sizes. You have several models to choose from at the moment: ]

• The iPad
• The iPad Air
• iPad mini
• iPad Pro

The iPad is Apple’s entry-level iPad; it’s the cheapest option and is ideal for casual users. The iPad Air is designed for tablet users that want a slightly more premium experience than what you get on Apple’s standard iPad.

The iPad Air has better specs, a nicer design, and has more performance. It also costs slightly more too, though when you factor in its performance, this is to be expected.

The iPad mini is an odd one; it’s the smallest iPad Apple makes (it has a 7.9in display) and is only slightly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (that phone has a 6.7in display). The iPad mini is fairly cheap too.

The iPad mini is ideal for users that want portability – the iPad mini will fit easily inside a bag or jacket pocket.

If you want a proper work machine, something that can replace your laptop, you’ll want to go with the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is the most powerful iPad Apple makes; it supports keywords, mouse, and trackpads and, thanks to the latest build of iPadOS, it functions just like a MacBook.

If you want a machine you can work on and consume media on, the iPad Pro is essentially unbeatable. Even when you compare it to other hybrid PCs like Microsoft’s Surface X Pro.

Wrapping Up… 

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As you can see from the table and comparison chart above, Apple has made a fair few iPads over the years. The iPad line-up, either its standard models or Pro models, are updated every year, although the iPad Pro models are updated at a slower rate. As of right now, Apple’s latest iPads are as follows:

Latest iPad Models:

• iPad Air 4th Generation (2020) 
• 10.2-inch iPad (2019)
• iPad Mini (2019)
• iPad Air (2019)
• 9.7-inch iPad (2018)
• iPad Pro (2020)

If you’re in the UK, AO carries ALL of Apple’s latest iPad models (see the full range here). And for the USA, your best bet is B&H Photo – it has all models of the iPad, including older, cheaper models.

Alternatively, if you want to save 40% on the price of an iPad, you could go the refurbished route and pick one up via Gazelle – doing this will let you get a higher spec model with more storage for a lot less than buying new. And the refurbished iPads look and function as good as new. And check out Apple Pencil Tips & Tricks: Get The Most Out Of The Apple Pencil! And check out This is The Best iPad For Drawing – Here’s Why!

Daniel Segun

Daniel Segun is a Content Writer, Graphics Designer, and Web Developer with a background in Computer Science. His work has appeared on several publications such as GraceThemes, Web Designer Depot, SecureBlitz, NewsLair, CryptoJefe, and more...