Apple iPad price tracker: When to buy the Apple iPad, the iPad Pro and the iPad Air
Apple iPads are some of the top tablets of 2023. If you're hoping to upgrade your old tablet or snag a new iPad for less this holiday season, you'll want to know that you're getting the best deal possible. The experts at CBS Essentials analyzed historical pricing data on the top Apple iPad models using CamelCamelCamel to uncover key data patterns and help you find the best time to buy.
Keep reading to find out whether you should buy a new Apple iPad right now, or wait for a better sale.
When to buy the Apple iPad 10th generation
The latest edition in Apple's classic iPad lineup is the iPad 10th generation. This 10.9-inch tablet features a Liquid Retina display with Apple's True Tone technology. It has Apple's A14 Bionic chip, an upgrade from the iPad 9's A13 chip. The iPad 10 is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and 5G internet for fast performance. It also offers all-day battery life, so that you can easily take it to school, work or on your holiday travels without having to worry about plugging it in mid-day.
The iPad 10 lists for $449 on Apple's website and typically goes on sale at Amazon once every month or two. Right now it's marked down to $399 on Amazon, which is usually as low as it goes -- so now is a great time to buy.
Why we like the tenth generation Apple iPad:
- The powerful, upgraded A14 Bionic chip provides speed and power for multitasking.
- Its all-day battery life makes the Apple iPad 10 a great option for long days at work or school.
- Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone technology makes it great for homework, virtual classes, or streaming.
When to buy the Apple iPad 9
The ninth generation Apple iPad can be paired with peripherals like the Apple Magic Keyboard to make a complete mobile workstation. It boasts a great-looking 10.2-inch Retina display and runs using Apple's A13 Bionic chip. This version comes configured with 64GB of storage. It also includes a 12MP front camera and an 8MP rear-facing camera. Use TouchID for easier logins.
Thanks to its all-day (up to 10-hour) battery life, you can stave off charging until later with regular usage. This version of the iPad will run iPadOS 10 (or later), so it can handle all of the latest, software-based featured incorporated into Apple's other iPad tablets.
It's normally priced at $329, but for a limited time, you can get it for $249 at Amazon right now. This is the lowest price we've ever seen on the device this year, so take advantage of the deal while you can and snag an iPad for under $250.
Why we like the Apple iPad (9th generation):
- It's priced much lower than the tenth generation iPad, so it's perfect for budget-minded shoppers.
- Apple iPads are easy and intuitive to use, especially for Apple iPhone owners.
- That tablet runs iPadOS 10 and will automatically sync data, documents, photos and other app-specific content with your other Apple equipment via iCloud.
- This version of the tablet features a bright, 10.2-inch Retina display.
When to buy Apple iPad Air 5
Introduced in 2022, the 10.9-inch Apple iPad Air 5 is the latest in the lightweight iPad Air line. The iPad Air 5 offers performance up to 60 percent faster than the prior model, thanks to Apple's turbo-charged M1 chip. The device boasts a 12 MP wide-angle back camera that supports 4K video. It also offers touch ID, and Apple's Liquid Retina display.
The Apple iPad Air 5 retails for $600 at Apple, but it's currently marked down to $500 on Amazon. This is the lowest the price has ever gone, so if you're in the market for an iPad Air you may want to go ahead and buy it now. Be sure to apply the $59 Amazon coupon for the full savings.
Why we like the fifth generation Apple iPad Air:
- It's lightweight and portable, while retaining performance and battery life.
- Touch ID is responsive and great for older users looking for extra security.
- Support for 4K video makes it a suitable option for streaming and editing media with a crisp screen.
When to buy the Apple iPad Mini 6
The iPad Mini 6 is a compact tablet with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display screen. Released in 2021, the Apple tablet is powered by an A15 Bionic chip. It features a 12 MP wide-angle back camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle front camera. It boasts landscape stereo speakers. Available in four colors.
Note that the Apple iPad Mini is not compatible with Apple's external Magic Keyboard. It can, however, be used with other Bluetooth-enabled external keyboards.
The Apple iPad Mini retails for $499 on Apple's website, but Amazon currently has it marked down to $400. It did go as low as $380 during Amazon Prime Day earlier this month, so you may be able to save slightly more next month during Black Friday. Though the current sale price is still an excellent deal, so if you need a new iPad Mini sooner than Black Friday, you may want to take advantage of the current deal and buy now.
Why we like the sixth generation Apple iPad:
- The miniature frame and weight makes it great for younger users and those with small hands.
- It's lightweight but powerful with the Apple A15 Bionic chip and 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display.
- There are four different colors to choose from for better personalization between users.
When to buy the Apple iPad Pro 5
Apple's high-end tablet, the iPad Pro, features an 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, a pro camera system and a Thunderbolt port for lightning-speed data transfers. Looking for a traditional laptop experience? It's compatible with Apple's Magic Keyboard.
Available in two colors; prices vary. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro lists for $1,099 on Apple's website, but you can currently get it for $990 on Amazon. This may seem like a small discount, but it's actually a really solid deal on the iPad Pro as the model rarely goes on sale and was actually on sale for the higher price of $1,024 during Amazon Prime Day this year.
Why we like the fifth generation Apple iPad Pro:
- The 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, Apple's largest, is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
- It has more than enough power under the hood to back any task, be it for work, school, or play.
- The Apple iPad Pro 5 has a fantastic 12MP camera array with an ultrawide camera for shooting high-quality photo and video.
