Your guide to differentiating between generations and versions of iPad

October 13, 2021

4 minutes read

Progress a company Apple has a variety of products that millions of users around the world rely on. It starts with iPhones, through to iPads, Mac computers, watches and smart speakers. Most of the company’s products usually come with an easy and clear label.

But iPad tablets may be an exception to this, as they come with a fairly complicated naming. As there is no iPad 11 or iPad 12 as there are iPhone phones. Even iPad tablets are available in different models and at different prices.

Therefore, the user suffers from great confusion when choosing a new iPad. Since he has dozens of models to choose from. Therefore, in this article, we summarize for you all the main iPad versions, with an explanation of the most important differences between them.

iPad generations and versions

iPad tablets are currently available in a number of major categories. This is divided into the flagship Pro versions, the traditional iPad versions, the iPad Air versions, as well as the iPad mini.

iPad Pro computers

Apple has released three Pro versions in recent years. A distinction is made between them depending on the year of release, and accordingly, the versions are as follows:

1. Apple iPad Pro (2021) — 5th generation
2. Apple iPad Pro (2020) — 4th generation
3. Apple iPad Pro (2018) — 3rd generation

Accordingly, the user is able to differentiate between these versions based on the year of production and generation as well. Speaking of the 2021 version, it comes with the leading M1 chip with up to 2 TB of storage and a mini-LED screen, which is based on the same OLED screen technologies. This is in light of the arrival of this version in two sizes, 11 inches and 12.9 inches.

The 2020 version is not much different, as it comes with an A12Z processor instead of an M1 chip in light of its arrival with memory up to 1 TB. As for the 2018 version, or the third generation, it is based on the A12X processor.

traditional versions

The second category of Apple tablets can be described as the traditional category, because it only comes with the name “Apple iPad” without distinction. However, a distinction is made between these versions depending on the generation and the year of production as well, and they are as follows:

1. Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) — 9th generation
2. Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) — 8th generation
3. Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) — 7th generation

These versions offer a distinctive screen size with distinctive specifications as well. They are also described as the best value for money iPad versions. But it is more suitable for the traditional user as you can expect.

The ninth generation offers an internal space of up to 265 GB, with an A13 Bionic processor and a 10.2-inch screen. And this is with support for only the first generation of the Apple Pencil, while the Pro versions support the second generation.

The eighth and seventh generations differ only in the maximum areas and the processors, which are of course arranged from the strongest to the weakest according to the generation.

Air . versions

Perhaps it is now clearer. Apple tablets come in ascending generations based on the year of release. And the Air versions have achieved great success in recent years, which are divided into only two versions, which are as follows:

1. Apple iPad Air (2020) — 4th generation
2. Apple iPad Air (2019) — 3rd generation

Compared to the traditional iPad versions, the Air versions offer larger screens, newer processors, and support for the second generation of Apple Pencil. This is where the fourth generation, for example, comes with the leading A14 Bionic processor, with a 10.9-inch screen with fewer bezels.

iPad mini versions

As indicated by its name. The Mini version comes with a small screen compared to previous versions, but it comes with the latest specifications at the same time, and is available in two generations:

1. Apple iPad Mini (2021) — 6th generation
2. Apple iPad Mini (2019) — 5th generation

The sixth generation, which was revealed at Apple’s last conference, comes with the A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13. It offers a screen measuring only 8.3 inches with a storage space of up to 265 GB. And that only supports the first generation Apple Pencil.

Speaking of the older version, which is the fifth generation, it offers a screen measuring only 7.9 inches. It also comes with a retro design.

Other versions

There are dozens of other versions of Apple tablets. However, they are all very old. As we have noted, devices are referred to as generations, which are ordered from number 1 to the latest generation. This means that the iPad mini, for example, was available in four generations before the fifth and sixth generations mentioned above.

In most countries of the world, these versions are not officially available, so they are not mentioned. But you can take the current generations as a benchmark for older generations of the same version.