iPads in 2025: 6 Brilliant Picks You’ll Absolutely Love

Apple’s iPads: Value and Versatility

Apple continues to be the leading tablet brand in 2025. Its diverse iPad lineup caters to virtually every user’s need and budget. From students taking notes in lecture halls to professional artists creating digital masterpieces, Apple has crafted tablets that blend powerful performance with intuitive design. The company’s ecosystem approach means these devices work seamlessly with other Apple products, making them particularly attractive to users already invested in the Apple universe.

The iPad family serves multiple user segments effectively. Students benefit from the lightweight designs and excellent battery life for all-day campus use. Casual users enjoy the smooth multimedia experience for streaming, reading, and video calls. Business professionals appreciate the productivity features and accessory support for presentations and document editing. Artists and designers gravitate toward the precise stylus support and color-accurate displays. Mobile gamers find powerful processors that handle demanding titles with ease.

This comprehensive review covers six standout iPad models: the budget-friendly iPad with A16 chip offering great value, the versatile iPad Air 11-inch with M3 power, the larger iPad Air 13-inch with M3 for expanded screen real estate, the premium iPad Pro 13-inch with M4 for professional workflows, the compact yet powerful iPad Pro 11-inch with M4 chip, and the previous generation iPad Air 13-inch with M2 that still delivers excellent performance. Each model occupies a specific niche in Apple’s strategy, ensuring there’s an iPad for every need and budget range.

1. iPad (11th generation) with A16 chip

The iPad 11th generation represents Apple’s entry-level offering that refuses to compromise on core functionality. This device features the A16 processor previously used in the iPhone 14 Pro series, providing a 5-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. The tablet maintains the familiar all-screen design with Touch ID integrated into the power button, making it accessible yet secure.

Apple doubled the base storage from 64GB to 128GB while keeping the same attractive color options including blue, pink, yellow, and silver. This model strikes an excellent balance between affordability and capability, making it perfect for users who want the iPad experience without premium pricing. The device supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and works with various third-party accessories, though it lacks some advanced features like Apple Intelligence support due to hardware limitations.

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User Type Recommendation: Who Should Buy It?

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Usability & Ease of Use

2. iPad Air 11-inch (7th generation) with M3 chip

The iPad Air 11-inch with M3 represents the sweet spot in Apple’s tablet lineup, offering professional-level performance in a more accessible package. Apple has updated this model with the powerful M3 chip, bringing significant performance improvements over previous generations. This device features a stunning Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color support, making it excellent for creative work and media consumption.

The tablet supports the advanced Apple Pencil Pro with hover detection and pressure sensitivity, elevating the drawing and note-taking experience. The device maintains familiar features like Touch ID power button, Wi-Fi 6E speeds, 5G compatibility, and USB-C connectivity. The M3 chip enables Apple Intelligence features, making this iPad future-ready for advanced AI capabilities. With its thin profile and light weight, this model appeals to users who want Pro-level performance without the premium price tag.

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User Type Recommendation: Who Should Buy It?

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Usability & Ease of Use

3. iPad Air 13-inch (7th generation) with M3 chip

The iPad Air 13-inch with M3 chip offers the perfect blend of screen real estate and performance for users who need more workspace without stepping up to Pro pricing. This larger canvas provides significant advantages for productivity tasks, creative work, and media consumption while maintaining the Air’s characteristic balance of features and value.

The 13-inch display offers the same excellent color accuracy and brightness as its smaller sibling but with more room for multitasking and detailed work. The larger size accommodates a bigger battery rated at 36.59Wh or 9,705mAh, ensuring all-day productivity despite the increased screen size. The M3 chip handles demanding applications effortlessly, making this model suitable for professional workflows including video editing, graphic design, and complex productivity tasks. The device is compatible with all the advanced accessories available for the 11-inch model, such as the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, while also taking advantage of the larger keyboard layout.

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User Type Recommendation: Who Should Buy It?

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4. iPad Pro 13-inch (7th generation) with M4 chip

The iPad Pro 13-inch represents Apple’s flagship tablet experience, designed for users who demand the absolute best performance and features. This powerhouse features the cutting-edge M4 chipset with up to 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 2TB. The standout feature is the stunning OLED display that delivers true blacks, incredible contrast ratios, and vibrant colors that make everything from professional photo editing to movie watching a visual feast.

The M4 processor, built on second-generation 3nm technology, offers up to 50% better performance than the M2 chip, making it capable of handling the most demanding professional applications. The device includes advanced features like Face ID, ProMotion 120Hz display technology, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro with advanced features. This iPad Pro delivers Apple’s best premium tablet experience with fantastic OLED display, powerful M4 performance, thin yet solid design, and unbelievably long battery life.

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5. iPad Pro 11-inch (5th generation) with M4 chip

The iPad Pro 11-inch with M4 chip delivers flagship performance in a more compact and portable form factor. This model provides all the advanced features of its larger sibling while maintaining better portability for users who prioritize mobility without sacrificing performance. The 11-inch OLED display offers the same stunning visual quality as the 13-inch model, with true blacks and vibrant colors that make professional work and entertainment equally impressive.

The M4 processor ensures this compact powerhouse can handle any task thrown at it, from complex video editing to demanding creative applications. Face ID provides secure and convenient authentication, while the advanced camera system with LiDAR scanner enables augmented reality applications and improved photography capabilities. The device supports all professional accessories and maintains the same build quality and premium materials as the larger Pro model.

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6. iPad Air 13-inch (6th generation) with M2 chip

The iPad Air 13-inch with M2 chip represents excellent value for users seeking a large-screen iPad experience without the premium pricing of the latest models. This model maintains many appealing features including Liquid Retina display, 12MP primary camera, Center Stage front camera, Touch ID power button, Wi-Fi 6E speeds, and USB-C connectivity. While it may not have the latest M3 chip, the M2 processor still delivers outstanding performance for most tasks and provides excellent efficiency.

The 13-inch display offers the same benefits of increased screen real estate for productivity and creative work. This model often provides the best value proposition for users who want a large iPad but don’t need the absolute latest features. It supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Magic Keyboard, making it a capable and creative personal tech device. The device serves as an excellent entry point into large-screen iPads for budget-conscious users who still want quality performance.

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User Type Recommendation: Who Should Buy It?

Quick Pros & Cons Table

Usability & Ease of Use

Comparison Table Comparing All 6 iPads:

Finding Your Perfect iPad Match: The Final Decision

Apple’s 2025 iPad lineup demonstrates the company’s commitment to serving diverse user needs through thoughtful product differentiation. Each model occupies a distinct position in the ecosystem, ensuring that whether you’re a budget-conscious student or a professional creative, there’s an iPad designed specifically for your requirements. The entry-level iPad with A16 chip proves that affordable doesn’t mean compromising on essential features, while the Pro models with M4 processors push the boundaries of what’s possible in tablet computing.

The decision between these models often comes down to balancing screen size preferences, performance requirements, and budget considerations. Students and casual users will find excellent value in the base iPad and M2-powered models, which provide reliable performance for everyday tasks without premium pricing. Business professionals and creative users should consider the M3 and M4 options, which offer the power and features needed for demanding workflows and professional applications.

The introduction of OLED displays in the Pro models represents a significant leap forward in visual quality, making these devices particularly attractive for color-critical work and premium media consumption. However, the Liquid Retina displays in the Air and base models remain excellent for most users and help maintain more accessible pricing. The consistent battery life across all models ensures that, regardless of which iPad you choose, you can count on reliable all-day performance.

Looking at the broader picture, Apple’s iPad strategy successfully addresses the reality that tablet users have varying needs and budgets. The company has avoided the trap of making too many similar products. Instead, Apple creates distinct tiers that make the choice clearer for any potential buyer. Whether you need basic functionality, creative power, or professional capabilities, Apple’s current iPad lineup delivers options that feel purposeful rather than redundant, ensuring your investment aligns perfectly with your specific use case and expectations.