Deciding on a new iPad has never been so difficult

Apple released new iPads on Tuesday that will give us plenty to talk about in the coming weeks. The new 10th-gen iPad is a complete redesign that brings it in line with the Air and Mini, and the new iPad Pro is the fastest tablet ever with an M2 processor and Wi-Fi 6E. Simply put, Apple’s new tablets are the most powerful ever, giving consumers on both ends of the spectrum more options.

But buying an iPad is also more confusing than ever. Apple now has five different iPad lines, starting at $329 and going up to $2,000 and up. This is how the models break down:

• iPad (9th gen, 64GB): $329
• iPad (9th Gen, 256GB): $479
• iPad (10th Gen, 64GB): $479
• iPad mini (64GB): $499
• iPad (10th Gen, 256GB): $599
• iPad Air (64GB): $599
• iPad mini (256GB): $649
• iPad Air (256GB): $749)
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 128GB): $799
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 256GB): $899
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 512GB): $1,099
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 128GB): $1,099
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 256GB): $1,199
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 512GB): $1,399
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 1TB): $1,499
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1TB): $1,799
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 2TB): $1,899
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2TB): $2,199

And those prices don’t even factor in cellular options, which add $200 to the iPad Pro, $150 to the 10th-gen iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, and $130 to the 9th-gen iPad. It also doesn’t take into account the fact that 64GB of storage isn’t really enough for a device that’s supposed to be a “computer”.

While the options are definitely good, they can also be overwhelming. For example, if you have $600 to spend, you can get a new iPad with 256GB of storage or an iPad Air with 64GB of storage, an iPad mini with 64GB of storage, or a 9th-gen iPad with 256GB of storage and cellular connectivity. And all these models have different screens, different processors and different color options.

That’s where it gets really confusing. Consider these facts about Apple’s iPad range:

• Three different iPads have essentially the same 11-inch display.
• The 10th generation iPad does not have the anti-reflective coating introduced in 2014.
• Every iPad that Apple sells has a different processor.
• 64GB of storage is not enough and 256GB of storage is too much for most users.
• The 10th generation iPad is the only model with a landscape selfie camera.
• The iPad Pro has newer Bluetooth (5.3) than the 10th generation iPad (5.2) and the iPad Air and mini (5.0).
• The iPad mini is the only model that doesn’t support Apple keyboard cases.
• The 10th generation iPad still does not support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

So not only do you have to rummage through almost two dozen options when deciding which tablet to buy, but you also have to consider small differences in the various lineups that may not be obvious to casual consumers. Most buyers probably couldn’t tell the difference between the iPad 10th gen’s unlaminated display and the iPad Air’s laminated display, or feel the speed of an A15 versus an A13. How are consumers supposed to make an intelligent purchasing decision when they have to create a table and an explanation just to figure out the different features?

And who is the iPad Air for now? It has an M1 processor and second-generation Apple Pencil support, but if you’re a user who needs those features, consider the 11-inch iPad Pro. And if not, you should just get the 10th gen iPad and save $150. And what about the iPad mini? Is it worth spending €50? more than the 10th generation iPad for a smaller screen and a slightly better processor?

And then there is the issue of updating. The 10th gen iPad was just released so we don’t know how often it will be updated, but we do know about the other lines:

iPad Mini: Last update in September 2021; next expected update March 2023

iPad Air: Last updated in March 2022; next expected update September 2023

iPad Pro: Last updated in October 2022; next expected update March 2024

So if you buy an iPad next February, you have to reckon that the iPad mini might be updated soon. If you want one in the summer, there’s likely an iPad Air update just around the corner.

The new iPad was meant to simplify purchasing options, but it only further messed up the lineup. And it gives the impression that Apple still doesn’t quite understand what to do with its line of tablets, so it’s throwing more and more against the wall to see what sticks. And eventually, consumers will just stop trying to find out.