Apple iPad 2021 Lineup: Which one is for you?

Apple recently released two new iPad models for 2021, bringing their current offerings to five, which include the iPad mini (6th-gen), iPad (9th-gen), iPad Air (4th-gen), 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-gen). All have their own advantages and different price tags, so which one is for you? Let us help you with that.

iPad (9th-gen)

If it’s your first time buying an Apple iPad and have a limited budget, the new iPad (9th-gen) is the most affordable you can get right now. Although priced the lowest in the lineup, it doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. It’s got a 10.2-inch IPS display with 2160 x 1620 resolution or equal to 264ppi and True Tone, it’s powered by the A13 Bionic which is the same chipset powering the iPhone 11 series, up to 256GB storage, has an 8MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera with Center Stage, stereo speakers, Touch ID, works with Apple Pencil (1st-gen), and works with the Smart Keyboard. The design, though, looks outdated and still uses the Lightning port but it’s still powerful and feature-packed.

WiFi
• 64GB – PHP 19,990USD 341INR 28,878EUR 324CNY 2,481
• 256GB – PHP 28,990USD 494INR 41,879EUR 471CNY 3,598

WiFi + Cellular
• 64GB – PHP 27,990USD 477INR 40,434EUR 454CNY 3,474
• 256GB – PHP 36,990USD 630INR 53,436EUR 600CNY 4,590

iPad mini (6th-gen)

If you want the smallest iPad, the best you can get right now is the new Apple iPad mini (6th-gen) with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Fully laminated display, but this one is more expensive than the iPad (9th-gen), and that’s because it has adopted the new iPad look of its newer siblings, meaning slimmer bezels with good screen-to-body ratio and a body with flatter sides. It even has the power/lock button as its Touch ID like in the iPad Air (4th-gen).

Other premium upgrades include stereo speakers, a 12MP selfie camera with Center Stage, USB-C, a magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil (2nd-gen), 5G connectivity, and the new A15 Bionic chip.

WiFi
• 64GB – PHP 29,990USD 511INR 43,324EUR 487CNY 3,722
• 256GB – PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839

WiFi + Cellular
• 64GB – PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839
• 256GB – PHP 47,990USD 818INR 69,326EUR 779CNY 5,956

iPad Air (4th-gen)

If you want a bigger screen in a modern design, the Apple iPad Air (4th-gen) is for you. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Fully laminated display with True Tone, USB-C, stereo speakers, Touch ID on the home button, 12MP rear camera, 7MP front camera but without Center Stage, support for Apple Pencil (2nd-gen) and Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, up to 256GB storage, and powered by an A14 Bionic chip. Do note that there’s no support for 5G connectivity. Basically, the iPad Air (4th-gen) is a better alternative to the iPad (9th-gen) if you have a bigger budget.

WiFi
• 64GB – PHP 33,990USD 579INR 49,102EUR 552CNY 4,218
• 256GB – PHP 42,990USD 733INR 62,103EUR 698CNY 5,335

(WiFi + Cellular model no longer available)

11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen)

For the PRO users, we have two options, and the first one is the 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen). It has an 11-inch Liquid Retina, Fully laminated IPS display with ProMotion and True Tone, dual-rear cameras (12MP main + 10MP ultra-wide), 12MP front camera, LiDAR scanner, four-speaker audio, Face ID, USB-C with support for Thunderbolt/ USB 4, Smart Connector, 5G connectivity, works with Apple Pencil (2nd-gen), works with Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, and up to 2TB of storage. Another impressive feature is that it’s powered by the Apple M1 chip, the same chip that’s powering the latest Macs.

The 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen) is a tablet for users with ‘PRO’ needs such as graphics design, and video and photo editing, and as an alternative or support productivity to the more expensive Macbooks.

WiFi
• 128GB – PHP 45,990USD 784INR 66,437EUR 746CNY 5,707
• 256GB – PHP 51,990USD 886INR 75,105EUR 844CNY 6,452
• 512GB – PHP 63,990USD 1,090INR 92,440EUR 1,039CNY 7,941
• 1TB – PHP 87,990USD 1,499INR 127,110EUR 1,428CNY 10,920
• 2TB – PHP 111,990USD 1,908INR 161,781EUR 1,818CNY 13,898

WiFi + Cellular
• 128GB – PHP 54,990USD 937INR 79,439EUR 892CNY 6,824
• 256GB – PHP 60,990USD 1,039INR 88,106EUR 990CNY 7,569
• 512GB – PHP 72,990USD 1,244INR 105,441EUR 1,185CNY 9,058
• 1TB – PHP 96,990USD 1,653INR 140,112EUR 1,574CNY 12,036
• 2TB – PHP 120,990USD 2,062INR 174,782EUR 1,964CNY 15,015

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-gen)

If budget is not a problem, and you’re a PRO user who wants the best from Apple’s current tablet line, cast your eyes on this. It’s pretty much almost identical to the 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen) but with a larger 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion and True Tone, which is brighter and supports HDR. This is for heavy PRO users who feel limited with an 11-inch screen.

WiFi
• 128GB – PHP 62,990USD 1,073INR 90,995EUR 1,022CNY 7,817
• 256GB – PHP 68,990USD 1,176INR 99,663EUR 1,120CNY 8,562
• 512GB – PHP 80,990USD 1,380INR 116,998EUR 1,314CNY 10,051
• 1TB – PHP 104,990USD 1,789INR 151,669EUR 1,704CNY 13,029
• 2TB – PHP 128,990USD 2,198INR 186,339EUR 2,094CNY 16,008

WiFi + Cellular
• 128GB – PHP 71,990USD 1,227INR 103,997EUR 1,168CNY 8,934
• 256GB – PHP 77,990USD 1,329INR 112,664EUR 1,266CNY 9,679
• 512GB – PHP 89,990USD 1,533INR 130,000EUR 1,461CNY 11,168
• 1TB – PHP 113,990USD 1,942INR 164,670EUR 1,850CNY 14,146
• 2TB – PHP 137,990USD 2,351INR 199,340EUR 2,240CNY 17,125

In summary:
• Get the iPad (9th-gen), if you’re on a budget and just need an entry-level iPad for your basic entertainment needs and don’t mind the old design.
• Get the iPad mini (6th-gen) if you want a more compact iPad but in a modern design with the latest Bionic chip and 5G. Gamers will also like this as the smaller body makes it great for handheld gameplay.
• Get the iPad Air (4th-gen) if you want a modern-looking iPad with a big screen but don’t need PRO features.
• Get the 11-inch iPad Pro (3rd-gen) if you’re a PRO user and want the most powerful performance to date on an 11-inch screen.
• Get the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th-gen) if you’re a heavy PRO user who’s in need of the largest and best display in the lineup as well as the best chipset on a tablet to date.