What Is the Latest iPad? The Newest Model Is Not the Most Powerful One

• iPad Air (2026, M4): Released in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, featuring the M4 chip, Wi-Fi 7, increased unified memory, and full optimization for Apple Intelligence. Prices typically start around £669 for the 11-inch model.
• iPad Pro (M5): Remains Apple’s most powerful high-end tablet option featuring a Tandem OLED display and the M5 chip.
• Upcoming Rumors: Industry reports from 9to5Mac suggest an OLED iPad mini and a refreshed entry-level standard iPad may launch later in the fall.

The most recently released iPad is the iPad Air (M4), which went on sale on 11 March 2026. The most powerful iPad is the iPad Pro (M5), released in October 2025. The entry level iPad (A16 chip) dates from March 2025, and the iPad mini (A17 Pro chip) dates from October 2024. At the time of writing, Apple has not yet announced a new iPad mini, although an OLED model is widely reported to be close.

So “latest” has two answers, and which one you need depends on whether you want the newest release or the fastest tablet. This guide shows both, then tells you which model fits your money and your use.

Newest versus most powerful: why the answer is not one iPad

Apple does not refresh every iPad at the same time, so the newest release and the fastest tablet are different models.

• Newest release: the iPad Air with the M4 chip. It arrived in March 2026 with a faster chip, 12GB of memory, Wi-Fi 7 through Apple’s N1 chip, and a custom C1X modem on cellular models.
• Most powerful: the iPad Pro with the M5 chip. It also uses the N1 and C1X chips, and adds an OLED display, faster ports, and more memory on higher storage tiers.
• Cheapest new iPad: the iPad with the A16 chip. It works well for everyday tasks, but it does not support Apple Intelligence.
• Smallest: the iPad mini. It is the oldest model in the lineup by release date, and it is the one most likely to change soon.

If you are choosing between the top two, our full comparison of the iPad Pro versus Air breaks down the differences feature by feature.

The current iPad lineup 2026

Apple sells four iPad families. Here is where each one stands in September 2026.

Apple raised iPad prices in the UK by roughly £100 to £200 on most models in June 2026, so older price lists you see online are out of date. Always check Apple’s UK store for today’s number before you decide.

What is coming next (and what is only a rumour)

Nothing here is confirmed by Apple unless it says so.

If you are hoping to buy the iPad mini, waiting a few weeks makes sense. If you want an Air or a Pro, there is no new model expected in the near term, so buying now does not mean missing an upgrade. For more on release timing, read our guides on whether there is a new iPad coming out this year and the next iPad Pro release.

iPadOS 27 and which iPads get the best features

Apple released iPadOS 27 on 14 September 2026. Its headline feature is the redesigned Siri with Apple’s next generation of Apple Intelligence. Early coverage reports that the most advanced Siri features need an iPad with an M4 chip or later and 12GB of memory or more. That matches the iPad Air M4 and the iPad Pro M5, and it leaves the entry level iPad and the iPad mini behind on the newest AI features.

Practical points:

• Open Settings > General > Software Update to see whether your iPad offers iPadOS 27.
• Not every iPad can install it. Apple publishes a compatibility list, so check it before you plan an upgrade.
• If your iPad freezes during or after an update, our guide on how to force restart your iPad covers the button steps for every model.

How to check which iPad you own

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General, then About.
3. Read the Model Name and Model Number. The number starts with the letter A and is followed by four digits.
4. If the model name only says “iPad”, look at the screen size and the year. The model number lets you look up the exact generation on Apple’s identification page.

You can also check the back of the iPad, which has the model number printed in small text near the bottom edge.

Which iPad should you buy?

For most people, the iPad Air is the sensible choice, because the Pro’s advantages matter only to a smaller group of users. If you are deploying tablets for an event or a project, run the numbers with our guide on renting versus buying iPads, since a short term hire often beats buying a tablet you will use for a week.

The iPad’s roots

The iPad launched in 2010, three years after the first iPhone, and it was built on the same software foundations. If you are curious how the two product lines connect, our timeline of iPhone history from 2007 shows where that story began.

Conclusion

The latest iPad is the iPad Air with the M4 chip, released in March 2026, and the fastest is the iPad Pro with the M5 chip. The entry level iPad and the iPad mini are older, and the mini is the model most likely to change soon, with an OLED version reported for later this year. If you need a tablet now, the Air suits most people, the Pro suits specialists, and the standard iPad suits tight budgets. Before you buy anything second hand, check the model name in Settings, and always compare the current Apple UK price, because prices rose in June 2026.

For an event, exhibition, training course or temporary business project, buying several new iPads may not make sense if they are only needed for a few days. Hire Tablets can supply the number of iPads required for the project, along with accessories such as stands, keyboards or chargers where needed. Tell the rental team how many devices you need, your hire dates and how the iPads will be used, and they can help you arrange a suitable setup without purchasing a permanent fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the latest iPad in 2026?

The newest iPad released in 2026 is the iPad Air with the M4 chip. It is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. However, the newest release is not necessarily the most powerful iPad in Apple’s current range.

2. What is the most powerful iPad right now?

The iPad Pro with the M5 chip is Apple’s higher-performance iPad. It is aimed at demanding work such as design, video editing and other professional tasks where greater processing power and display performance are useful.

3. What iPads are currently available?

Apple’s current range includes the iPad Pro, iPad Air, standard iPad and iPad mini. They cover different sizes, performance levels and uses, from everyday browsing and learning to professional creative work.

4. How can I find out which iPad model I have?

Open Settings > General > About and look for Model Name and Model Number. The model number can help you identify the exact generation if the name alone is unclear, particularly when checking an older or second-hand iPad.

5. Should I buy or hire iPads for an event?

Buying can make sense when the devices will be used regularly over a long period. For a conference, exhibition, registration desk or short project, hiring can be more practical because you can arrange the quantity needed for those dates and return the equipment afterwards instead of keeping devices that may sit unused.