When Apple first released the iPad in 2010, it revolutionised the tablet market and has become the go-to tablet for many. The Apple iPad comes in four different models, namely iPad Pro, iPad Mini, iPad Air and the general iPad line. Each model is built to be different in its own ways, some for businesses, others for designers, yet remain versatile and comes in various sizes, processors, displays, colors and more. Read on to see a comprehensive list of iPad models and generations categorised in different groups.

DISCOUNTINUED AND UNSUPPORTED iPADS

Apple iPad 1^st Generation

Release Date: April 3, 2010

• The Original iPad was first introduced by late Apple co-founder and then-chief executive Steve Jobs in January 2010
• Sold more than 3 million units within 80 days of going on sale.
• Consist of many similar features found in the iPhone and iPod Touch.
• The OG iPad still has some uses but no longer supports operating system updates.

Apple iPad 2^nd Generation

Release Date: March 11, 2011

– Added dual-facing cameras and video conferencing capabilities

– Enable users to take photos, capture movies and video conference

– Features doubled doubled processing speed & much more powerful graphics processor

– Gained a gyroscope making its basic features equal to the iphone except for voice calling

– Games becoming more popular on the iPad

Apple iPad 3^rd Generation

Release Date: March 16, 2012

• Significantly faster and more powerful that the previous 1^st and 2^nd generation
• Includes a higher-resolution display, better camera, improved connectivity, voice dictation, 4G (LTE)
• Marketed by Apple, as The New iPad

iPad Mini

Release Date: November 2, 2012

• Stylised and marketed as iPad Mini
• The first of the iPad Mini line with a reduced screen size of 7.9”, in contrast to the standard 9.7”
• Features internal specifications similar to the iPad 2^nd Generation
• Received numerous positive reviews on device size, design and availability of applications, while lacking a full retina display

Apple iPad 4^th Generation

Release Date: November 12, 2012

• The 4^th generation iPad was a surprise release during the unveiling of the iPad Mini.
• This generation of iPad had the same features of the iPad 3 but with a more powerful processor.

iPad Air

Release Date: November 1, 2013

• Apple’s new lineup, iPad Air is a full-sized tablet but about 20 percent thinner than the previous generation of tablets that weighs only one pound.
• Looks a lot like a larger iPad Mini
• Has a 43% smaller bezel than its predecessor.
• Apple stated that the new iPad Air is the thinnest and lightest “full-size tablet,” and yet it still manages 10 hours of battery life.

iPad Mini 2

Release Date: November 12, 2013

– Almost identical to that of the first-generation iPad mini but features internal revisions such as the addition of the A7 system-on-a-chip

– The iPad Mini is the first iPad Mini to support six major versions of iOS, from IOS through IOS 12.

iPad Mini 3

Release Date: October 22, 2014

• Announced alongside the iPad Air 2 and uses primarily the same design and hardware as that of its predecessor, the iPad Mini 2
• New features are the addition of the Touch ID sensor compatible with Apply Pay
• The iPad Mini 3 is essentially the same as the iPad Mini 2 with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor tacked on. The Touch ID supports unlocking your iPad with your thumbprint, purchasing apps, and using the new Apple Pay.  ​

DISCONTINUED BUT STILL SUPPORTED iPADS

iPad Air 2

Release Date: October 22, 2014

• Second generation of iPad Air tablet announced alongside the iPad Mini 3
• The iPad Air 2 is thinner and faster than its predecessor, the iPad Air
• Features Touch ID with the height and screen size the same as iPad Air
• First device to support seven versions of iOS/iPadOS, iOS 8 through iPadOS 14.

iPad Mini 4

Release Date: September 9, 2015

• Announced during the unveiling of the Apple iPad Pro
• The iPad Mini 4 was announced during the unveiling of the iPad Pro.
• The iPad Mini 4 was not marketed much but it is a significant improvement over the iPad Mini 3
• Including a faster A-series chip with support for split-screen apps first introduced in iOS 9
• Similar to the iPad Air 2

iPad Pro 1^st Generation 12.9”

Release Date: November 11, 2015

• Marketed as a tablet for users of heavy apps and creative types when it was released.
• Comes in 12.9inch diagonal display, larger than the displays on both Apple’s 12inch MacBook and Microsoft Surface Pro 4
• Visually stunning display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 at 264 pixels per inch, making the highest-resolution display on any iOS device then
• Runs on A9X processor, twice faster the processing power than iPad Air 2
• First iPad to support the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil

iPad Pro 1^st Generation 9.7inch

Release Date: March 31, 2016

• Comes with True Tone Technology, improved display, decreased reflection in bright light scenarios
• Supports a 12MP camera that is compatible with Live Photos
• Works with Apple Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil

Apple iPad 5th Generation

Release Date: March 24, 2017

• A slight update to their iPad lineup, the new 9.7inch iPad drops the Air name
• Similar to an iPad Air 2 with slightly faster processor
• Entry-level price tag makes it widely available

iPad Pro 2^nd Generation 10.5inch / 12.9inch

Release Date: June 13, 2017

• Both models supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision content (with iOS 11 or later)
• Operates at 120 Hz refresh rate to provide butter smooth graphical transitions and their True Tone display is 50 percent brighter than the earlier models

Apple iPad 6^th Generation

Release Date: March 27, 2018

• Upgraded from A9 to the new A10 Fusion which is the same processor used in the iPhone 7 series
• Added Apple Pencil support to provide enhanced precision.

iPad Pro 3^rd Generation 11inch / 12.9inch

Release Date: October 30, 2018

• The new iPad Pros runs on A12X Bionic chip found in all of Apple’s latest iPhones
• Provides extremely fast performance with apps. 
• Features a new design by swiping across various edges without home buttons, in favor of the iOS 12 gesture controls found in Apple’s new iPhones.
• Brings about a redesigned Apple Pencil with gesture controls, a new charging method via magnetic attachment.

iPad Air 3^rd Generation

Release Date: March 18, 2019

• Comes in traditional design with standard bezel and button placement
• Features a sleeker build than previous generations and incorporates a faster A12 Bionic processor
• Supports both Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

iPad 7^th Generation

Release Date: September 25, 2019

• Features a 10.2inch Retina Display, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Support
• New multitasking features and creative capabilities with iPad OS
• IPadOS for multitasking and creative capabilities

CURRENT APPLE LINE UP iPADS

Also Read: How to Identify the iPad Model that You are Using?

iPad Mini 5^th Generation

Release Date: March 18, 2019

• A major upgrade for iPad mini fans who enjoy a compact and portable design with the latest technology.
• Features the A12 Bionic chip that delivers three times the performance and nine times faster graphics than its predecessors.
• High resolution panel with 324 pixels per inch
• The Mini 5 incorporates features like Apple Pencil support making the new iPad Mini ideal notepad for sketching or taking notes on the go.

iPad Pro 4^th Generation 11inch / 12.9inch

Release Date: March 25, 2020

• Comes in two sizes, 11inch and 12.9inch display.
• Features the new and powerful A12Z Bionic chip with 120Hz high refresh display.
• Bezels are minimised to increase screen size and aspect ratio, focusing on general productivity, art and multitasking application.
• Additional accessories like the Magic Keyboard includes the first trackpad designed specifically for iPads

Apple iPad 8^th Generation

Release Date: September 18, 2020

• Features A12 Bionic with Neural Engine that delivers powerful entry iPad experience.
• A huge leap in performance with 40 percent faster CPU performance and twice graphic capability.
• Apple stated, “This makes the new iPad up to two times faster than the top-selling Windows laptop, up to three times faster than the top-selling Android tablet and up to six times faster than the top-selling Chromebook.”
• The Neural Engine offers next-level machine learning capabilities such as people occlusion and motion tracking in augmented reality (AR) apps.

iPad Air 4^th Generation

Release Date: October 23, 2020

• Apple marketed the iPad Air 4^th generation as “the most powerful, versatile and colorful iPad Air”.
• Features an edge-to-edge screen with a larger 10.9inch Liquid Retina IPS display, camera and audio upgrades, top-mounted fingerprint sensor for easy unlock.
• New powerful A14 Bionic chip for a massive boost in performance, making it by far the most powerful and capable iPad Air ever launched.

Get in Touch for a Free Consultation!

Unsure of which iPad model, dimension, processor power, etc. fits best for your next event? We have supported countless events that are of various themes, scale and types and can help build a customised solution tailored entirely to your event goals and needs.

We also carry iPad accessories like stand rental options that are of various designs and build. From desktop and floor stands, to fully customisable iPad stands.

Looking at iPad rental in bulk? We can easily manage iPad rental in any volume with our extensive inventory combined with our technical event services. Whether you require thousands of iPads for a large-scale conference or just a single unit for E-Learning, we can always help! Contact us today!