Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

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

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.

Buy Now

Apple iPad (2022) — $380, was $449

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.

Buy Now

Apple iPad Air — $559, was from $599

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.

Buy Now

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

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.

Buy Now

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

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.

Buy Now

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.

More Unmissable Deals

Deals and News Writer
Lucas Coll has been a freelance writer for almost a decade and has penned articles on tech, video games, travel, cars, and…
The best iPads in 2024: the 5 best ones you should buy

Apple's iPad is undoubtedly one of the most popular tablets on the market right now. There are several different models to choose from, but no matter which one you go with, you'll be getting one of the best tablets out there. Still, Apple provides an abundance of choice here, and with so many different versions — and almost annual updates — it can be tricky to know which one is the best to get.

All of Apple's iPads are pretty great, and they're each designed with a slightly different audience in mind, so it's hard to pick a single one as "the best." That's why we've broken this list down by categories; after all, there's an ideal iPad for nearly every situation. Whether you're looking for the best overall iPad, the best iPad on a budget, something in the middle of the pack, or even the best small iPad, we've got you covered.

Read more
Best refurbished iPhone deals: Get an iPhone 14 for $513

The Apple iPhone is one of the best phones on the market, and because of it they don’t often come cheap. There are some great iPhone deals out there, but it’s rare to find significant discounts on newer models without having to commit to a longterm contract with a carrier, and it’s even less frequent you come across one of the best iPhones with a major price drop. This is where shopping refurbished can come in handy. Refurbished iPhones — for the most part — will come backed with a functionality guarantee or extended return window, making refurbished iPhones as safe of a purchase as shopping new. There are a lot of refurbished iPhone models seeing great price drops right now, which is why we’ve done the heavy lifting of rounding up all of the best refurbished iPhone deals. You’ll find them below, as well as some information on which refurbished iPhone might be best for you.
iPhone XR -- from $136

A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.

Read more
Best Verizon new customer deals: Galaxy S24, iPhone and more

If you’re in the market for one of the best phones, or any new phone for that matter, you’re going to need a good carrier. Verizon has long been one of the most popular options, as it boasts one of the most reliable networks in the United States. It offers some of the best cell phone plans out there, and for new customers Verizon also offers some pretty impressive discounts on new phones. In many cases this means you can brand new, recently released phones entirely for free when signing up with Verizon. And that’s the case right now, as we’re currently seeing some of the best Verizon new customer deals we’ve seen. You can pretty easily land a new iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phone, and Google Pixel for free, and we’ve got all of the details on how to do so. If that sounds enticing, read onward and start shopping the best Verizon new customer deals available right now.
Free iPhone SE (3rd Gen)

The 2022 release of the Apple iPhone SE is yours for free when you sign up for a new 5G data plan on Verizon -- no trade-ins required. It's the best small smartphone in our list of the best smartphones with a 4.7-inch Liquid Retina display, but it doesn't sacrifice performance as it's powered by Apple's A15 Bionic chip that's also found in the iPhone 13 line and pre-installed with iOS 15. The latest iPhone SE is equipped with a single 12MP rear sensor and 7MP selfie camera, which are boosted by Apple's software to enable better photographs.

Read more