The iPad remains the undisputed king of the consumer tablet market. While cheaper models like Amazon’s Fire series might sell more in volume, Apple’s slate is still the standard bearer, causing waves of imitation through the industry for both its understated style and its practical features. While iPads still aren’t as powerful or capable as full computers, they’re pretty darn close, especially for the basic tasks that most users need.
But oddly, there hasn’t been much new going on in the iPad world as of late. It’s been over a year since a new model was introduced, and that was mostly just applying some of the more recent style changes (and a USB-C port) to the original, cheapest model. The 9th-gen iPad (the only one left with a Home button) and the iPad Mini haven’t been updated in over two years.
Rumors persist that new and improved iPad designs are coming in 2024, but they’re just that — rumors. With aging models on the shelves, this Black Friday should be a good time to find deals on the current designs.
To save you a bit of Googling, there are currently six different models of iPad being made, each with an option for higher storage and LTE or 5G cellular data. There’s the 9th-generation iPad, with its physical home button, the 10th-gen iPad with its sharper design and USB-C port, the 6th-gen iPad Mini, the 5th-gen iPad Air, and the iPad Pro, in both 11-inch (4th gen) and 12.9-inch (6th gen) variations.
Best early iPad and iPad Mini deals Black Friday deals
- iPad 64GB (9th gen), $249.00 ($80 off) at Amazon
- iPad 64GB (9th gen), $249.00 ($80 off) at Walmart
- iPad Mini 64GB (6th gen), $469.00 ($30 off) at Amazon
- iPad Mini 256GB (6th gen), $599.00 ($50 off) at Amazon
- iPad 256GB (9th gen), $399.00 ($80 off) at Amazon
- iPad 64GB (10th gen), $399.00 ($50 off) at Amazon
Best early iPad Air and iPad Pro Black Friday deals
- iPad Air 64GB (5th gen), $559.99 ($40 off) at Amazon
- iPad Pro 11-inch 128GB 5G (4th gen), $934.00 ($66 off) at Amazon
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch 128GB (6th gen), $1049.00 ($50 off) at Amazon
Best early iPad accessory Black Friday deals
- Apple Pencil (2nd gen, open box), $74.95 ($55 off) at Amazon
- Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Pro 11″ and iPad Air, $109.00 ($70 off) at Amazon
- Apple Magic Keyboard and trackpad for iPad Pro 11″ and iPad Air, $199.99 ($100 off) at Amazon
- Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 12.9″, $249.00 ($100 off) at Walmart
FAQ
When is Black Friday this year?
Black Friday 2023 begins on Nov 24th. But the iPad deals have already begun, and will likely continue through Cyber Monday.
Should I upgrade my iPad?
Is your iPad broken, or does it feel slow and sluggish? Then yeah, it’s probably time to buy a new one. If not, feel free to wait a year or two—or longer. Apple’s software support for its tablets is second to none, and you’re probably not going to miss out on anything huge with an older model so long as it’s still working fine.
What size iPad should I buy?
The iPad Mini is a wonderfully portable little tablet, but at 8.2 inches, it’s not much bigger than the biggest smartphones. The largest iPad Pro is huge—big enough to replace a laptop if you add a keyboard, but that also makes it a lot less portable. The 10-to-11-inch range seems to be the sweet spot for most people. If you’re unsure of the size to purchase, head to your nearest electronics store. It almost certainly has most of the models on display.
Do I need an iPad Pro?
For most people, the answer is “No.” The iPad Pro is a lot more expensive than the Air or the standard iPad because it uses a much more powerful processor, and includes extra features like Face ID and Thunderbolt connections. It also has access to more powerful multitasking. But all of this isn’t really helpful if you mostly use an iPad as a reading, gaming, or video consumption device. Unless you’re trying to replace a full laptop with an iPad, keep that extra money for a nice case or bag.
How much storage does my iPad need?
That really depends on what you do with it. If you’re mostly surfing the web, answering emails, and watching streaming video, then the basic 64GB to 128GB of storage should be more than enough for you. But if you’re constantly downloading high-end games or saving HD video to your tablet, you’ll want some more.
Does my iPad need a cellular connection?
Do you want to take your tablet on trips and leave your phone at home? Then, yes, you could probably use the cellular upgrade (LTE on the 9th-gen iPad, 5G on everything else). If not, then no, you don’t need it. Instead, you can use tethering on your smartphone or local Wi-Fi pretty much all of the time. Also, be aware that cellular iPads need a separate data plan (and a monthly charge) in order to work beyond Wi-Fi.
Should I get an Apple Pencil or keyboard?
The Apple Pencil is a worthy upgrade for anyone who wants to do some drawing or other artwork on an iPad. There are cheaper alternatives, but they’re not nearly as good. And even if you’re not an artist, there’s a certain pleasure in using the iPad like a pencil and paper. (Especially if you’re signing digital paperwork frequently.) Keyboards are more situational, and really only useful in the same situation as a full laptop. If you think you need one, you absolutely don’t need Apple’s expensive accessories — save some money on a wireless board from Keychron or Anker instead.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer
Michael is a former graphic designer who's been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.