Apple’s iPad is the best-selling tablet in the world, and it’s been around for over 12 years.
Since the launch of the first device in 2010, the company has introduced many different generations of iPads, with each new version bringing upgraded features and improvements over earlier models.
If you’re an Apple fan and love using the iPad, you will find this post interesting. We’ve put together a complete list of all of the iPad models in order, from the first one to the most recent.
Take a look at each version and what the latest iPad looks like.
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List of iPad Generations: From Oldest to Newest
iPad (2010)
Image from Apple
The first iPad was released by Apple on April 3, 2010. The device was discontinued in March 2011, but at the time it was the first tablet to be sold by Apple and was designed to compete with similar devices such as the BlackBerry Playbook, Motorola Xoom, Dell Streak, and Samsung Galaxy Tab.
It featured a 9.7-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024×768 pixels at 132 PPI (pixels per inch) and ran on a PowerVR SGX535 GHz processor with 256 MB RAM. The battery life was about 10 hours for Wi-Fi usage and less than six hours for 3G usage.
In addition to its basic specs, the original iPad featured an accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. It also included an integrated microphone and speaker system that allowed users to play music or make calls without having to connect their device to external speakers or headphones via Bluetooth or cable connection.
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iPad Second Generation
The iPad 2 was released in 2011, and Apple stopped selling it in 2014. The device was lighter than its predecessor, but had a similar external design and was compatible with many first-generation iPad accessories.
In addition, the tablet featured an improved processor speed of 1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 chip, 512 MB RAM, and an upgraded Retina display at 2048×1536 pixels at 264 PPI (pixels per inch). It even had a front-facing camera (VGA resolution) and support for 4G LTE networks.
The biggest difference between the original iPad and this second generation is that the latter used a lightning connector instead of a 30-pin dock connector. This made it easier to charge your device on the go without having to carry around a separate power adapter for your wall socket.
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iPad Third Generation
Released in March 2012, the iPad 3 was thinner than earlier versions (7.2mm thick compared to 10mm thick on previous models), which made it easier to hold while using one hand.
It also offered an upgraded A5X processor that allowed for faster graphics rendering. This meant that users could enjoy smoother scrolling when browsing websites or playing games on their devices.
The third generation of this model also included an 8-megapixel (MP) camera, which was capable of shooting 1080p video, as well as a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera for FaceTime calls and video chatting. Plus, it had dual microphones and dual speakers for better audio quality when watching videos or listening to music.
However, it didn’t stay on the market for long. The tablet was discontinued in October 2012.
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iPad Fourth Generation
The iPad 4 launched in October 2012 and like previous models, it supported 4G LTE networks.
This device was also known as the “first iPad with Retina Display.” It featured a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and had a 9.7-inch display with 264 PPI.
This version of the iPad also included a 5 MP rear camera with LED flash, as well as a 1.2 MP front camera with no flash but with HD video recording capability.
However, it only came with 16GB storage options because its retina display technology required more space than previous versions for hardware components like flash storage drives for system updates and other purposes (such as app downloads from the Apple Store).
As of today, Apple no longer supports this model. You can still buy it in some consignment tech shops, but you won’t be able to get technical support for it.
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iPad Fifth Generation
The iPad 5 was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2017. It was taken off of Apple’s store shelves in March 2018, but it had several significant improvements over its predecessors, including an improved Retina Display and a 64-bit A7 chip.
It also came with 4GB RAM (up from 2GB) and allowed 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO technology for faster connectivity speeds up to 866Mbps (compared to 300Mbps).
In addition, this tablet’s dual cameras supported 1080p video recording at 30fps or 60fps, as well as 720p slow motion video recording at 120fps or 240fps (or both).
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iPad Sixth generation
The sixth edition of this model was released in March 2018 with Touch ID fingerprint sensor technology built into its home button, as well as an M8 motion coprocessor for improved image stabilization when taking videos or photos with the device’s various cameras (front facing or rear facing).
It had an A12X Bionic chip with a Neural Engine and M12 coprocessor for faster processing of complex tasks such as photo editing or video editing.
The iPad 6 is no longer available today. It has been discontinued and was last sold in September 2019.
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iPad Seventh Generation
The iPad 7 was released in September of 2019, just a few days after the sixth itineration was discontinued. It ran on iOS 11 and supported WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, GPS, and GLONASS connectivity options.
In addition to those capabilities, it came with NFC settings for making payments through Apple Pay and Face ID. This was helpful for unlocking the device without entering a passcode or PIN code every time you wanted to access your apps or the data stored inside the device.
The device’s 12-megapixel rear camera shooted high-resolution videos at 1080p, and the 7-megapixel front camera was able to record videos at the same resolution with ease.
Besides, this version allowed you to play back some high-resolution games or movies in full HD quality without any lag or stuttering issues.
However, a year after its release, it was taken off the market.
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iPad Eighth Generation
On September 2020, the eighth update of the original iPad model hit the shelves of Apple’s stores. It ran on iOS 13 and had an A12 Bionic processor, which made it even faster than its predecessor.
The best thing about it though was its 10.2-inch display with a resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels at 264 PPI.
Available storage options for buying this device were 64 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB, and it came in Silver, Space Grey, and Gold colors.
This eighth version also featured a speedier A10 Fusion processor and an improved display with a brighter backlight, which made it better for viewing angles and color saturation.
It was discontinued in September 2021.
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iPad Ninth Generation
The iPad 9 was released in September 2021, and it’s still being sold by Apple today. It comes with a 9.7-inch Retina display, as well as a 300 MB 4G LTE chip and an A13 Fusion chip that’s 20% faster than earlier models.
In addition, it comes with a built-in neural engine that makes facial recognition even more seamless and intuitive than before, and it supports a new portrait mode called Center Stage that can intelligently identify and blur the background of your photos.
The iPad 9 also improves upon its predecessor by getting rid of that pesky home button for touch ID. Instead, you’ll use Face ID to unlock your device or confirm purchases.
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iPad Tenth Generation
This tenth version of the iPad is the most recent iteration, having been released in August 2022. It has a screen that’s larger than its predecessor, and it also has more storage space.
The device also comes with Touch ID fingerprint sensor technology for unlocking your device securely and quickly when needed, an improved version of the Siri voice assistant software, and support for 5G.
iPad Mini (2012)
Image from Apple
The iPad Mini is the smallest Apple tablet to date. It was announced in October 2012 and released in November 2012. The device featured a 7.9-inch display, which is one of the reasons why it’s the most popular model of all time.
This edition had a screen resolution of 1024×768 pixels at 163 PPI, meaning that every image looked very crisp on screen, and it was easy to see from different angles even in bright light conditions.
Its rear camera had five megapixels and the front camera had 1.2 megapixels for taking selfies or making video calls with FaceTime on Skype or iMessage.
iPad Mini Second Generation
In November 2013, Apple released the iPad Mini 2. It had an 8-megapixel camera and a mini connector, making it compatible with all previous generations of Apple devices.
iPad Mini Third Generation
The third-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 16, 2014, and it was released on November 1. It featured a fingerprint sensor, an improved processor, and an HD camera with flash.
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iPad Mini Fourth Generation
This fourth iteration of the iPad Mini came to life on September 25th, 2015, with features similar to those of its predecessor. However, instead of Touch ID functionality, this update supported Apple Pay through the use of near-field communication (NFC) technology.
iPad Mini Fifth Generation
The iPad Mini 5, the latest version of the tablet, comes with WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth 4.0 support. It also has 1 GB RAM memory and a 2x faster A9 processor than previous versions of the iPad Mini, which results in better performance while playing games or watching videos online.
It’s currently the only generation of the Mini model being sold by Apple.
iPad Air (2013)
Image from Apple
The first iPad Air was released in November 2013, and it was a big hit with consumers. However, it was also pretty heavy – you could hold it in one hand, but it felt like a brick.
Its A7 processor and 1GB RAM weren’t as powerful as newer ones, but the device still performed pretty well.
However, the cameras were slightly better than what you’ll find on later models: this iPad’s rear camera was an 8MP shooter with 1080p video recording, and it came with a VGA front-facing camera for taking detailed selfies.
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iPad Air Second Generation
The iPad Air 2 was released in October 2014 and had the same features as the original model. The biggest difference was that it was designed to be lighter and thinner than the first iPad Air, but still, it wasn’t very portable.
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iPad Air Third Generation
The third generation came out in October 2015 and had an even better screen resolution than its predecessors, but it was still kind of heavy and bulky.
iPad Air Fourth Generation
The fourth update (which was released in September 2016) had a faster processor and more storage space than previous generations, but it still didn’t have enough of either to really make it stand out from its competition.
iPad Air Fifth Generation
Finally, the fifth iPad Air model came out in September 2017. It’s the model you can buy right now on Apple’s website, and it has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a modern tablet: high-resolution screen with wide color gamut support, excellent speakers, wireless charging capability, and fingerprint sensor for security purposes.
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iPad Pro (2015)
Image from Apple
The iPad Pro was designed to be the ultimate tool for productivity on the go.
The first version came with a 64-bit A9X processor, so you could edit photos in Adobe Photoshop Fix or stream 4K video without lag.
Like the future iterations, it came in two different sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch.
The 11-inch model offered 128GB of storage, while the 12.9-inch version had 256GB of storage. Both options came with WiFi and LTE connectivity settings, as well as 4GB RAM memory.
The main difference was that the 11-inch original iPad Pro had three cameras, and the other only two (one front-facing).
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iPad Pro Second Generation
The second generation of the iPad Pro was released by Apple in 2015, and it came with an A10X processor, which was a lot faster than its predecessor’s A9X processor.
However, the most notable difference between the original model and this device was that the latter was equipped with a True Tone display and support for 120Hz refresh rates, which allowed you to enjoy smoother scrolling and better gaming experiences on your tablet.
iPad Pro Third Generation
Apple introduced the third version of its iPad Pro in 2018. It had a powerful A12X Bionic chip that allowed you to better handle intensive tasks such as video editing without slowing down or overheating.
It also came with a TrueDepth camera system that included a 7MP FaceTime HD camera for taking photos or video calls with friends and family members who have iPhones or other iOS devices.
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iPad Pro Fourth Generation
This fourth update was released in March 2018. It’s smaller than earlier versions and came with an improved Face ID system. The best thing about it was that it supported Apple Pencil 2, which allowed you to use more advanced features when drawing or writing with your stylus.
This model also worked with the Smart Keyboard Folio and Smart Folio keyboard case accessories.
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iPad Pro Fifth Generation
This device was released in 2021 and is the latest model of the iPad Pro series. In a nutshell, it’s a high-end tablet computer.
The iPad Pro 5 uses an innovative desktop-class Apple M1 chip that allows for more efficient multitasking, better battery life, and higher performance in both graphics-intensive games as well as video editing software like Final Cut Pro X.
It has two variants: one with WiFi only, and the other with cellular connectivity. Also, the Smart Connector is a full-size version, and there’s a USB-C port.
The specs include an A12X Bionic chip, 64GB of storage on base models, and up to 1TB of storage. The design isn’t much different from previous models, but it still feels premium with its relatively high price tag.
Summary
The iPad has come a long way since its release in 2010, and its evolution is a clear testament to how technology rapidly changes as time goes on.
It’s been a revolutionary device that has helped us change the way we do things and take our computing experience to the next level.
And although we’ve seen it undergo many improvements over the years, one thing is certain: as one of Apple’s most iconic products, the iPad will continue to evolve to meet user needs and desires.
