• Which Apple iPad is best for you? iPad mini vs iPad vs iPad Air vs iPad Pro

Apple iPad (2010)

The original iPad launched in 2010 with a 9.7-inch display, 13mm thickness and weight of 680g. It had an aluminium build with square edges.

Apple iPad 2 (2011)

The second-generation model arrived in 2011 with a 8.8mm body and lighter 600g weight. The big news at the time was that it added cameras though.

Apple iPad 3 (2011)

The third-gen model came in 2012 with a display and camera upgrade. It ran iOS 6 and the App Store had around 200,000 dedicated apps when this model launched.

Apple iPad 4 (late 2012)

Six months later, the iPad 4 appeared offering an upgraded processor, dual-band Wi-Fi, improved front camera, and crucially, a move to the Lightning connector.

Apple iPad Mini (2012)

The first iPad mini was announced alongside the iPad 4 with a smaller 7.9-inch display and half the weight at 308g. It was also curvier and rounder in design.

Apple iPad Air (2013)

The iPad Air was the fifth gen iPad that launched in 2013 with a whole new design. It was 20 per cent lighter than the iPad 4 and made a move to a 64-bit chip.

Apple iPad Mini 2 (2013)

In 2013, the iPad mini with Retina display arrived with the highest resolution display for a tablet of its size. The design stayed the same as the first mini.

Apple iPad Air 2 (2014)

The second gen iPad Air came in 2014 and at 6.1mm, it was the slimmest tablet you could buy at the time. It was also the first iPad to introduce Touch ID.

Apple iPad Mini 3 (2014)

Arriving alongside the iPad Air 2 in 2014, the iPad mini 3 had the same design as its predecessor, but got Touch ID and a new gold colour option.

Apple iPad Mini 4 (2015)

The iPad mini 4 came in 2015 with a fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating, like the Air 2. It also got chip upgrade to the A8.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2015)

The first iPad Pro launched in 2015 with a huge 12.9-inch display, four-speaker audio and a 6.9mm slim build. The Apple Pencil was revealed at the same time.

Apple iPad Pro 9.7 (2016)

The iPad Pro 9.7 launched in 2016. It had the same power as the larger iPad Pro 12.9, launched Apple’s True Tone technology and came in a rose gold colour.

Apple iPad (2017)

In 2017, the iPad arrived, sitting between the mini 4 and iPad Pro. It didn’t have an anti-reflective display or True Tone, but it was £40 cheaper than Air 2.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2017)

The iPad Pro 12.9 came alongside the iPad Pro 10.5 but didn’t offer a redesign, only an upgrade to internals to match the iPad Pro 10.5.

Apple iPad (8th Gen)

The 2020 standard iPad didn’t see much change compared to its 2019 predecessor, except a processor upgrade. It continues to be a great, affordable option.

Apple iPad Air (2020)

The 2020 iPad Air saw some design changes, with squarer edges and reduced bezels. There’s a 10.9-inch screen, Touch ID in the power button and USB-C.

Apple iPad Pro (2021)

The 2021 iPad Pro updates - both 12.9 and 11 models - saw a display update, camera update and move to the M1 chip found in the latest Macs. They also added 5G.