If you’re in the market for a new tablet right now, you’re no doubt looking for some great deals on this month’s Black Friday iPad deals. During these annual sales, we regularly see huge savings on Apple’s ranges, which makes them worth the wait. But getting the most out of these sales starts with knowing which iPad to buy on Black Friday.
Apple’s current lineup is even worse than it used to be. The new 10th generation model parks between the 9th generation and the Air (itself a middle child between the iPad and the iPad Pro), and the Mini shakes things up even more, with more models than ever to choose from. Not only that, but each of these tablets serves its own purpose – and whichever camp you fall into is key to getting the best value for your money.
We’re taking a look at the price points and key use cases for every Apple tablet currently on the shelves, so you know which iPad to buy on Black Friday this year. Whether you’re looking for a simple device for web browsing and streaming or an all-in-one machine to handle your laptop duties, Apple’s current range has it all.
| MSRP | What’s that for? | |
| iPad 9th generation | $329 / £329 | Daily browsing, light writing, light gaming, entertainment |
| iPad 10th generation | $449 / £499 | Medium writing, easy multitasking, gaming, fun |
| iPad Mini | $499 / £569 | Portable browsing, easy typing, easy gaming |
| iPad Air | $599 / £669 | Average writing, light multitasking, gaming, entertainment, demanding applications |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | $799 / £899 | Heavy note taking, serious multitasking, high end gaming, demanding apps |
| The iPad Pro is 12.9 inches | $1,099 / £1,249 | Heavy typing and multitasking, critical multitasking, high-end gaming, demanding applications |
Should you buy a 9th generation iPad on Black Friday?
The previous generation’s entry-level iPad is the cheapest on the shelves right now, but it’s also aimed at the majority of buyers. If you’re looking for a streaming device capable of everyday browsing and light gaming, this is the tablet for you. Powerful processors, improved screens, and larger screens on more expensive devices are wasted on these everyday applications, so you don’t need to spend more here.
Should you buy the 10th generation iPad on Black Friday?
The new 10th generation iPad is in a difficult position. It features the Air’s all-screen design in price, performance and display, between the entry-level 9th generation iPad Air. In fact, few people will be able to pick up a 10th-gen iPad on Black Friday. The A14 Bionic processor inside is not $100/£100 more than the standard M1 CPU inside the Air, but it’s an advantage over the A13 inside the previous generation. If you’re just looking for an everyday device, this won’t make much sense, but certainly not enough to justify the higher price tag.
In fact, this is the iPad for those who missed out on the lower price of last year’s Air model. The device features the same processor and design, while costing slightly less than the current generation Air. That M1 processor will do, but we recommend waiting for a discount before opting for this latest release.
Should you buy an iPad Mini on Black Friday?
The iPad Mini offers great performance for everyday browsing, light note-taking (albeit on a smaller screen), and gaming. It’s only a device for those who don’t want the bulk of a 10.2-inch tablet, rather it doesn’t offer anything particularly powerful. Get the iPad Mini if you want the full iPad OS experience, but want to carry your device in a smaller bag or find a full tablet too heavy to hold comfortably.
Should you buy an iPad Air on Black Friday?
The iPad Air sits between the entry-level device and the much more expensive iPad Pros, but it’s perfectly positioned for those who want to use their device for school, work, or just for demanding hobbies. Adobe and other media editing apps run better here (though not as smoothly as in the Pro), and you have even more screen real estate for multitasking. The Apple Pencil is compatible with the 2nd generation iPad Air, so you’re covered for intensive note-taking, while the M1 processor under the hood will power through larger workflows.
This means you should buy the iPad Air if you’re looking for more of an entertainment device, but still don’t need the flash and pizzazz of the larger Pro range.
Should you buy an iPad Pro on Black Friday?
The iPad Pro is Apple’s flagship tablet. This means it offers the biggest and highest-quality display and the most powerful processor, and commands the biggest price tag. iPad Pro is designed to meet power users—those who use their device every day for demanding tasks like media editing and heavy multitasking workloads. It’s a big investment, so if you’re considering buying an iPad Pro on Black Friday, it’s worth considering how you’ll use your device and the level of power you really need.
If you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve rounded up everything you can expect to see this year. Black Friday laptop deals the and Black Friday Samsung Deals and also. Or, to stick with Apple, take a look Black Friday AirPods Deals We are looking forward to this year.
