iPad Pro vs. iPad: Which tablet is right for you? | Tom’s Guide

​did you identify your ipad?

Whether you’re looking to buy some iPad accessories or sell your iPad online so you can purchase a new one for business or pleasure, ​I hope this article has helped you figure out which iPad you own. I’ll be sure to add to it as Apple releases new versions of the iPad!

Ipad (3rd generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1416 (Wi-Fi), A1430 (Wi-Fi and Cellular), A1403 (Wi-Fi and Cellular (VZ)

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

​Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 30 pin connector, micro-SIM tray on right side, FaceTime and iSight cameras

Ipad (4th generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1458 (Wi-Fi), A1459 (Wi-Fi and Cellular), A1460 (Wi-Fi and Cellular (MM)

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB

​Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, micro-SIM tray on right side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras.

Ipad (5th generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1822 (Wi-Fi), A1823 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB

​Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, Touch ID, aluminum casing in silver, gold, or space gray.

Ipad (6th generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1893, A1954

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB

Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side for Wi-Fi and Cellular, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, Apple Pencil support.

Ipad (7th generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A2197, A2200, A2198

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB

Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 10.2-inch Retina Display, Lightning Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, first-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Ipad (8th generation)

Year: 2020

Model: A2270, A2428, A2429, A2430

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB

Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 10.2-inch Retina Display, Lightning Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, first-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Note: This model may be difficult to distinguish from its predecessor, the iPad 7th Generation, simply by looking at it. The 8th Generation iPad is identical in all physical features and even comes in the same colors. The largest difference is in processing capabilities: the 8th Generation iPad uses an A12 bionic chip. Use the model number for accurate identification.

Ipad 2

Year: 2021

Model: A1395 (Wi-Fi), A1396 (GSM Model), A1397 (CDMA Model)

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

​Also identified by: white or black front bezel, 30 pin connector, micro-SIM tray on the A1396, FaceTime and rear cameras.​

Ipad air

Year: Late 2021, Early 2021

Model: A1474 Wi-Fi, A1475 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1476 Wi-Fi, Cellular (TD-LTE)

Capacity: 16, 32, 64, 128 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in space gray or silver.

Ipad air 2​

Year: Late 2021

Model: A1566, A1567 Wi-Fi and Cellular 

Capacity: 16, 32, 64, 128 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.

Ipad air 3

Year: 2021

Model: A2152, A2123, A2153, A2154

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB

Also identified by: 10.5-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing in silver, space gray, or gold, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, support for first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Ipad air 4

Year: 2020

Model: A2316, A2324, A2325, A2072 

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB

Also identified by: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina edge-to-edge display (the most obvious identifier for this model, as edge-to-edge display is new to iPad Air as of fall 2020). New colors Green and Sky Blue, no home button, next-generation Touch ID on top button.

Ipad generations list: all the kinds of ipads & their features

Below you will find all the generations of the iPad in chronological order, with details and specifications including their model numbers. If you’re wondering what is the newest iPad, that will depend on whether you mean the iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini, or iPad Pro.

Ipad mini

Year: Late 2021

Model: A1432 Wi-Fi, A1454 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1455 Wi-Fi and Cellular (MM)

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on left side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in slate or silver.

Ipad mini 2

Year: Late 2021, early 2021.

Model: A1489 Wi-Fi, A1490 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1491 Wi-Fi and Cellular (TD-LTE)

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 7.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on left side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in space gray or silver.

Ipad mini 3

Year: Late 2021

Model: A1599, A1600 Wi-Fi and Cellular

Capacity: 16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 7.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on left side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.

Ipad mini 4

Year: Late 2021

Model: A1538, A1550 Wi-Fi and Cellular

Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 7.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.

Ipad mini 5

Year: 2021

Model: A2133, A2124, A2126, A2125​

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB

Also identified by: 7.9-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing comes in silver, space gray, or gold, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, first-generation Apple Pencil support.

Ipad mini 6

Year: 2021

Model: Not available yet. 

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB

The sixth-generation iPad mini will be available in stores and online starting on September 24. Model numbers will be added to this article as this information becomes available. 

Also identified by: 8.3-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing comes in space gray, pink, purple, or starlight, USB-C connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, second-generation Apple Pencil support.

Ipad models: how to find ipad model numbers

Perhaps you’ve been wondering, «How do I find out what iPad I have?» The easiest way to begin your search for which kind of iPad you own is to find your device’s model number. The first method doesn’t even require that you turn on your iPad; all you need to do is look on the back of your device.

You’ll see iPad engraved there, and underneath you’ll see smaller print, including the capital letter ‘A’, followed by a series of numbers. That’s your model number. If you have your device in a case and don’t want to take it out or would rather not have to get out a magnifying glass to see the tiny print, you can use this method for iPad serial number lookup:

1. Open the Settings app.

   

2. Tap General.

   

3. Tap About.

   

4. In the Model Number section, you may see alonger number that ends with «A». This is your iPad’s SKU number. To view your model number, tap once on this section and you’ll get a shorter number that begins with «A».

   

Now that you have your model number, it’s time to use that information to learn how to tell what iPad you have.  

Related: What Kind of iPhone Do I Have? All iPhone Generations & Their Model Numbers 

Ipad pro 10.5 inch

Year: 2021

Model: A1701, A1709 Wi-Fi and Cellular​.

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 10.5-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, ProMotion technology, Wide color display (P3), Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight cameras with flash, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold, four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Ipad pro 11 inch

Year: 2021

Model: A1980, A2021, A1934, A1979  

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, aluminum housing in space gray or silver,  USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Pro Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, 12MP back camera, four-speaker audio, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support.

Ipad pro 11 inch (2nd generation)

Year: 2020

Model: A2228, A2068, A2230

Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating,  USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10MP ultrawide camera and 12MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.

Ipad pro 11 inch (3nd generation)

Year: A2377, A2459, A2301, A2460

Model: Not yet released

Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating,  USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10MP ultrawide camera and 12MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.

Ipad pro 12.9 inch

Year: 2021

Model: A1584, A1652 Wi-Fi and Cellular 

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 12.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning port, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight camera, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold, four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Ipad pro 12.9 inch (4th generation)

Year: 2020

Model: A2229, A2069, A2232

Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating,  USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10MP ultrawide camera and 12MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.

Ipad pro 12.9 inch (5th generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A2378, A2461, A2379, A2462 

Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 12.9-inch XDR Liquid Retina Display, mini LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, 2D backlighting system with 2596 full‑array local dimming zones, Wide Color Display (P3)

, True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating,  USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10MP ultrawide camera and 12MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.

Ipad pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1670, A1671 Wi-Fi and Cellular​.

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 12.9-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, ProMotion technology, Wide color display (P3), Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight cameras with flash, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold, four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Ipad pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)

Year: 2021

Model: A1876, A2021, A1895, A1983

Capacity:  64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB

Also identified by: Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, black front bezel, 12.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, ProMotion technology, TruTone display, Wide color display (P3), USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Face ID, TrueDepth camera and 12MP back camera, aluminum housing in space gray or silver, four-speaker audio, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support.

Ipad pro 9.7 inch

Year: 2021

Model: A1673, A1674 Wi-Fi and Cellular​, A1675 Wi-Fi and Cellular. 

Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB

​Also identified by: White or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular versions, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight camera with flash, aluminum housing in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold, four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.

Ipad pro vs ipad: display

We really like the 10.2-inch iPad’s sharp Retina display. Not only does it boast a dense — 2160 x 1620-pixel resolution, it produces 105% of the sRGB color spectrum. It’s also plenty bright, producing 450 nits of brightness.

The iPad Pro’s displays are even better. We measured the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020 as producing 122.9% of the sRGB gamut and 559 nits of brightness.

The iPad Pro’s big wins in the display category is solidified by its 120hz ProMotion display refresh rate, which is a techy way of saying web pages and other content scroll really smoothly. There’s also Apple’s True Tone technology, which adjusts the white balance of the screen to make it look more accurate, according to changes in the ambient light around it.

Winner:iPad Pro

Ipad pro vs ipad: keyboard and apple pencil

Ipad pro vs ipad: performance

It’s hard to say how much faster the iPad Pro will be, when compared to the normal iPad, but it’s fairly safe to say this is not going to be a fair fight. 

That’s because the iPad Pro rocks the new A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine and an 8-core graphics processor, a combination so snappy that Apple says it «outpaces most PC laptops available today,» and you can check out our iPad Pro 2020 vs Surface Pro 7 face-off to see how accurate that claim is.

Either way, the iPad Pro is made for the pro-level applications, such as editing the 4K video that the iPad Pro can record (the iPad can only capture 1080p video), and optimized for the more demanding apps, like the Procreate drawing app and the more-complete Photoshop that Apple and Adobe have worked to bring to the stage.

Meanwhile the iPad’s A10 Fusion chip is far from new, having debuted on the iPhone 7 in 2021. It’s not a slow chip, it’s just not as fast. On the Geekbench 5 general performance benchmark, the iPad notched a 1,429, which the iPad Pro drop-kicks, with a score of 4,635.

Oh, and the iPad Pro’s for more tricks, thanks to the LiDAR Scanner in the cameras, which greatly improves performance in AR (augmented reality) apps. Those apps, such as Ikea’s app that lets you place items around your rooms, should move even faster, with objects rendering at a speed Apple describes as «instantly,» among other enhancements.

Winner: iPad Pro

Ipad pro vs ipad: scorecard and verdict

Overall, the iPad continues to be a great value, especially for students or for anyone who wants a solid tablet for work and play. You’re not going to get the fastest performance, but the regular iPad lasts longer on a single charge and its display is still pretty nice.

However, if you want the power to truly replace your notebook, the iPad Pro comes closer the potential to do just that. Its A12Z Bionic processor is much brawnier, its USB-C port opens up far more expandability, and its dual camera system combined with the LiDAR sensor will let you capture content and use a wide variety of AR apps without lag.

The Magic Keyboard helps differentiate the iPad Pro, as it’s so much better than the Smart Keyboard, in terms of feel, feedback and the fact that it offers a touchpad. 

Ipad pro vs ipad: value and price

While this face-off feels a little lopsided in the iPad Pro’s favor, let’s break down how much you’re gonna pay to get these devices, to see how much more expensive the Pro is. For starters, its $799 price tag is so big, it covers two iPads, with $141 left over (just $18 shy of the iPad’s Smart Keyboard’s price).

What generation is my ipad: ipad versions & model numbers

If you’re wondering, «What generation iPad do I have?», you’ve come to the right place. In the charts below, look for your iPad’s model number to find out which version of the iPad you own. Tap on the model name to learn more about it.

Which one is the best — ipad pro 9.7 or ipad pro 12.9? — quora