Which iPad Is the Best to Buy In 2023?

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According to the rumour mill, we’re not going to see any new iPads this year.

Do you believe what those supply chain sniffers say? Are those back-of-a-cigarette-packet notes left in shady bars by ‘people in the know’ really worth the paper they’re written on (which, clearly, isn’t much)?

Is Apple really going to wait until 2024 to give us a new iPad mini, an updated iPad Air, and a slightly less weird replacement for the iPad 10th generation?

What about the iPad Pro and the rumoured M3 chip?

I have absolutely no idea. Sorry.

But I do have my own ideas and advice about where you should place your pennies if an iPad is within your sights this year.

Just don’t blame me if Apple releases a brand-new version the day after.

Oh, and just a couple of important notes. I’ve not included the 9th generation iPad (the one with the physical home button) because it’s a dead cert if you want to spend the least amount of money on an iPad this year (or any year). If that’s the case – just buy it.

I’ve also excluded the 11-inch iPad Pro because I still believe that with the iPad Air constantly biting at its heels – and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro feeling every bit the flagship – it’s a tough sell.

iPad 10th Generation

Can you believe the 10th generation iPad is coming in for a year old? I can’t – but I still think it’s the weirdest iPad in Apple’s lineup.

It features a pleasingly modern design compared to the 9th generation, offers some genuinely nice colour options, and it’s compatible with the simply brilliant Magic Keyboard Folio which is, I think, my favourite iPad keyboard of all time.

The problem is that there’s no support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, and the 10th-generation iPad gets alarmingly expensive as soon as you start adding stuff to it. Arguably, at £499, it starts expensive.

A bit like the 11-inch iPad Pro, recommending the iPad 10th generation is tough when the iPad Air exists.

Should you buy it in 2023?

No. The more I think about this iPad, the more I cannot figure out who it is for. It’s also likely we’ll see an update to it next year which might fix some of the shortcomings.

iPad Air (5th gen)

The iPad Air remains one of Apple’s greatest triumphs. It mixes almost-pro functionality and power with a lower price tag and oodles of wantability.

The 5th generation iPad Air is a high point. It’s the first to ditch the A-series chips for the desktop-class M1, and as much as I questioned Apple’s decision to place that piece of silicon in the iPad Air at launch, I now understand why they did so.

This iPad gives you Pro performance without the bells and whistles that raise the price of the iPad Pro lineup. If you’re not fussed about a high refresh-rate display or a fancy camera system, the iPad Air remains a superb buy.

There’s just one issue. The current version arrived in March 2022. By next March, it’ll be two years old. It is, basically, ripe for an update, and I wouldn’t put it past Apple placing the M2 chip into the next version, along with a ProMotion display.

And yes, I still think that’s why the 11-inch iPad Pro’s days are numbered.

Should you buy it in 2023?

If you’re not fussed about the latest and greatest and just want an iPad that’ll last you for years, the iPad Air is the sweet spot. But if you’re at all nervous about an impending upgrade and have no immediate need – wait.

iPad mini (6th gen)

Of all the iPads in this list, the iPad mini is the one I’m most interested in, personally. The sixth generation of Apple’s diminutive tablet powerhouse is, arguably, the best iPad they’ve ever made.

It’s also old by tech standards. It’s easy to forget that the latest version of the iPad mini was released in September 2021 – exactly two years ago. It’s powered by the A15 Bionic, features an ageing camera system, and two frankly bizarre storage options (64GB or 256GB).

We need a new iPad mini, Tim.

There have been rumours about a Pro version of the iPad mini for some time now. Whether we get one with that moniker, or if we simply receive a seventh-generation iPad mini with a faster chip and a better display is largely irrelevant; it’s a dead cert we’re going to see something, soon.

More importantly, the possible updates are rather tantalising. Imagine an iPad mini with a desktop-class M-series chip, a high refresh rate ProMotion display, and new accessories including a suitably mini version of the Magic Keyboard. What a prospect, eh?

Unfortunately, most rumours suggest we’ll only see a mild spec bump to the A16 Bionic and beefed-up WiFi and Bluetooth chipsets. But I can dream.

Should you buy it in 2023?

In a recent back-to-school guide, I recommended the iPad mini for kids and anyone who needs one now and who doesn’t have the stomach to wait for a possible update. For everyone else, I strongly advise holding those horses.

(I think that’s most of you)

iPad Pro (12.9-inch)

The 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro will be a year old next month. Once again, I can’t believe we’ve reached that point already – but we have, and I do indeed have one to my name.

This is despite me buying the latest biggest iPad for review at launch and sending it back without opening the thing in a semi-protest over Apple’s reluctance to do anything with the power contained within their flagship tablet.

Since then, things have improved – considerably. We now have Apple-branded pro apps that finally take advantage of all that horsepower. I am, of course, referring to Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Both apps make the decision to place such bonkers-tactic silicon in the iPad Pro utterly obvious, and I’m frantically attempting to clear my diary so I can play with mine more.

Should you buy it in 2023?

Rumours point to an iPad Pro update in 2024 that’ll include an M3 chip, OLED display, and, possibly, a super-sized 14-inch variant. I think those rumours are probably spot on (bar the latter), but I don’t think they should stop you from buying a big-boy iPad Pro today if you want or need one. This is one hell of an iPad and will be for many years to come.

Conclusion

I agree with Mark Gurman and co. – this year doesn’t feel like an iPad year.

This makes buying one in 2023 rather tricky, but as I’ve always said – waiting on Apple is a fool’s game. If you need an iPad now – whatever the desired model – just buy it. These tablets are so well made and so powerful that you won’t regret your purchase and it’ll pay you back in spades.

It’s those of you who have an eye on the future and who don’t have an immediate need who need to tread carefully. If that sounds like you, I hope I’ve managed to steer you correctly today!

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