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Best Prime Day iPad Deals: Early deals land on top models

Prime Day deals are in full swing and we’re seeing plenty of Prime Day iPad deals unfold. If you’ve been waiting to buy a new Apple-flavored tablet, this is your chance to do so while saving on the usual prices. There are plenty of discounts out there as well as different iPad models to consider. That’s why we have them all listed below, along with prices and what you need to know about each of them. Take a look below and find the right iPad for your needs before Prime Day sales season ends.

Today’s best Prime Day iPad deals

Apple iPad (2021) — $250, was $329

The iPad 10.2 on a table.
Digital Trends

The 2021 Apple iPad may offer few discernible upgrades over the previous two generations but that’s because it follows an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality. It offers everything you could need from a simple tablet and a few extras that make it well worth the price. On the surface is its delightful 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone support. That means that imagery looks great at all times with the iPad being the ideal device for streaming content or browsing the internet in style. Its stereo speakers certainly help ensure that this is a great option if you love to catch up with shows on Netflix while on the move.

Alongside that, the Apple iPad has an A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine so it’s speedy enough to ensure that you can multitask and work while on the move without missing a beat. The convenience and flexibility of iPadOS certainly help out here, particularly if you already own other Apple-based devices with the ecosystem blending well together. For the traveling worker, a pivotal upgrade to the front or selfie camera helps further still. It has a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera that has Center Stage support. The feature means that the camera effectively follows you around while you’re on a video call, ensuring you’re always the central focus at all times. It’s a great touch that means you always appear professional.

Elsewhere, the iPad’s 8MP wide back camera means you can take a few snaps while on the move. It also works with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Smart Keyboard, plus it has up to 10 hours of battery life so it’ll last you all day. Touch ID support means your data and information are secure at all times too, while you get the benefit of being able to log in with your fingerprint.

Apple iPad (2022) — $380, was $449

Someone holding the yellow iPad (2022) in front of trees with orange, yellow leaves.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The 2022 Apple iPad is the latest iteration of the entry-level model of Apple’s tablets, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance. Using the new iPad is a breeze, and it’s more stylish than ever when you’re out and about with the tablet in your hands. With an all-day battery life, the iPad will be able to keep up with your daily tasks, and with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, you’ll be able to take advantage of the fastest internet speeds possible when you work or play online.

When comparing the 2022 Apple iPad and 2021 Apple iPad, the advantages of the newest version of the tablet include an updated design that makes it look more similar to the Apple iPad Air, a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with narrower bezels, an updated processor with A14 Bionic equipped, the replacement of the Lightning port with a USB-C port, and a potentially an extra year of support with iPadOS updates.

The cameras of the 2022 Apple iPad are a 12MP Wide back camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, with the selfie lens moving to above the screen in landscape orientation. This makes the tablet more ideal for making video calls and attending online meetings, as most people prop up the iPad on its side during these situations. The latest iPad also supports Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio — a variant of the Smart Keyboard that adds a trackpad and function keys — which will let it function even better as a laptop alternative.

Apple iPad Air — $559, was from $599

Someone holding an iPad Air against a wooden floor.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Apple iPad Air is early everything you could want from an iPad. If you don’t want to spend as much as an iPad Pro demands, this is the tablet to suit the majority of your needs. It offers great performance, good cameras for a tablet, along with a gorgeous screen. While some powerhouse users may need the extra might of the iPad Pro, most people will be more than happy with the iPad Air right down to its extensive accessory support.

The first thing you’ll notice about the iPad Air is its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It has True Tone support along with P3 wide color and an antireflective coating that means it works particularly well in bright lighting compared to its competitors. Colors look vibrant while the screen quality ensures that everything looks sharp and delightful at all times. In conjunction with that, the iPad Air also uses Apple’s M1 chip which you’ll see on many of its laptops as well as the iPad Pro meaning you’re guaranteed of fantastically speedy performance. Whether you’re browsing the internet or multitasking for work, the iPad Air keeps up with you at all times, while also serving very well as a mobile gaming device.

Additional features keep on coming. For instance, the iPad Air has a 12MP wide camera along with a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera. The selfie camera also has Center Stage support so it’s capable of following you around on a video call, keeping you the focus at all times. Stereo landscape speakers are powerful and ensure you can always hear what’s going on. All-day battery life also means the iPad Air can keep up with you throughout the day, too. Support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil gives you maximum flexibility with the iPad Air a dream to use for both productivity tasks and fun.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch — from $780, was from $899

iPad Pro running iPadOS 15, with the Digital Trends homepage on the screen, Apple Pencil to the right and keyboard to the left.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch is a pretty great high-end tablet. It uses Apple’s M1 chip which you will also see in the latest range of MacBooks so you’re guaranteed fantastic performance. Able to outperform all other tablets and smartphones, if speed is everything for you then you absolutely need an iPad Pro. The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch isn’t just about fast performance though. It’s also great in terms of looks. Sleek and lightweight, it uses a stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display to ensure that whatever you’re looking at looks fantastic. It utilizes ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color so it looks great at all times. ProMotion means that motion blur is a thing of the past while True Tone and P3 wide color mean everything looks great. That’s the case whether you’re thinking of using it for streaming content, sketching designs, or simply browsing the internet.

In addition, the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch also has a stunning camera system. It includes an Ultra Wide front camera that has Center Stage support. The feature means that the iPad effectively follows you around as you take a video call so you’re always the center of attention. The iPad also has a 12MP wide camera along with a 10MP ultra-wide camera. There’s also a lidar scanner for immersive AR purposes so you can get the best out of the latest technology.

Other features include an all-day battery life so you can be productive all day long without needing to find a power source. Also, it has a Thunderbolt port so you can easily connect it to fast external storage, displays, and docks without any bother. The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch also has support for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) if you want to sketch out designs, as well as the Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio. Face ID keeps everything secure at all times too which is great news when you’re on the move.

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Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch — $1,049, was $1,099

The iPad Pro 2021 on a table, showing the screen.
Digital Trends

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the ultimate tablet. In our review, we called it “more than you need” because it is but you’ll love that it offers so much. It uses Apple’s M1 chip to ensure that its performance is unrivaled. It’s incredibly fast to respond and ideal for extensive multitasking. Basically, it’s likely your laptop or desktop is slower than this tablet — that’s how good it is. Whether you’re looking to browse online through multiple tabs or you’re keen to use your tablet as an advanced productivity device, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch has you covered.

When it comes to watching content or sketching out designs, its gorgeous screen is here to help. It has an amazing 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that truly makes everything pop on screen. With ProMotion support, browsing and scrolling are silky smooth, with the tablet able to cope with the fastest moving of games too. True Tone and P3 wide color mean that colors look phenomenal, too, with the tablet able to cope with all kinds of brightness scenarios.

Elsewhere, it also has a great set of cameras. These include an Ultra Wide camera that has Center Stage support. That means you can use it very well for video calls as it follows you around, ensuring you’re the focus of the call at all times. It’s a great professional touch. In addition, you also get a 12MP wide camera and a lidar scanner for immersive AR purposes. Other useful features include an all-day battery life plus a Thunderbolt port for hooking up other devices to your tablet. There’s also support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio, so you can turn the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch into a fantastic hybrid laptop with just an accessory or two.

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Should you buy an iPad on Prime Day 2023?

Do you need an iPad? That’s the first question you need to ask yourself. iPads are fantastic devices if you want something that’s bigger than a smartphone, smaller than a laptop, yet still highly functional. However, not everyone needs one. If you’re happy with your phone or computer, an iPad could end up being a cool device that you simply don’t use very often. Have a good think about how it would fit into your daily routine and why it’s so essential.

From there, check out our look at the best iPads. We’ve thought hard about how each iPad type will enrich your life and who the devices are aimed at. While the iPad Pro might be the best iPad in terms of power and offering a fantastic display, it can be excessive for many people’s needs. For most users, something like the iPad Air is the better option. It’s cheaper while still offering fantastic performance and a slim and lightweight design. For anyone looking for something even lighter, there’s always the iPad Mini, which promises powerful performance in a smaller build. Don’t ignore the regular iPad either, which still offers plenty to love. Basically, there’s an iPad for everyone with Apple ensuring its range is all worth checking out. iPadOS works well across all devices too so even if you’ve never used an iPad before, you’ll be able to figure it out without a problem.

Once you’ve figured out the model, don’t forget to consider the storage space you might need. Generally, go higher than you might anticipate. It’s not possible to upgrade the internal hard drive once you’ve purchased an iPad and you want to have a future-proofed iPad that’s ready for all your needs in years to come.

If you’re worried that Prime Day isn’t the optimal time to buy anything as expensive as an iPad — don’t be. Prime Day almost always focuses on technology and it’s often as good a time of year to buy as during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. This is a really good time to buy as iPads are in high demand and retailers like Amazon know that and want to encourage you to make a purchase. Sure, you could wait until Black Friday but that means spending the rest of the year without an iPad and with no guarantee that the price will actually be lower by then.

Generally, Prime Day is on a par with the very best sales events of the year so if you know an iPad is for you, you should buy it during the Prime Day iPad deals.

Lucas Coll
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lucas Coll has been a freelance writer for almost a decade and has penned articles on tech, video games, travel, cars, and…
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