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Received yesterday — 6 August 2025

The best iPad deals you can get in August

5 August 2025 at 21:08
Apple’s latest iPad Mini features some nice internal upgrades and support for Apple Intelligence.

If you know where to look, it’s surprisingly easy to save on an iPad — even outside of major sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. Here’s an insider tip: Skip the Apple Store, where discounts are almost nonexistent. Instead, your best bet is to check third-party retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, which frequently offer deals on everything from the entry-level iPad to the powerhouse iPad Pro, making it possible to snag a bargain any time of the year.

Apple’s tablet lineup now includes six different iPads, which makes tracking deals across each configuration a full-time job. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Below, you’ll find the best discounts on every current model. Want something for basic web browsing? The entry-level iPad is currently down to $299 ($50 off). Looking for more power to play games and edit videos? The iPad Pro with M4 chip is going for $899 ($100 off). No matter which one you choose, rest assured that every model below is set to receive iPadOS 26 in the fall, which is the most significant update the iPad has seen in 15 years.

The best iPad (2025) deals

The 11th-generation iPad remains the most affordable tablet in Apple’s lineup. While the newest model isn’t drastically different from its 10th-gen predecessor, it does offer a few key differences. One notable change is the increase to 128GB of base storage, up from 64GB. Additionally, the new model features Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, providing better overall performance when browsing the web, opening apps, and watching videos. That being said, the base iPad still doesn’t support Apple Intelligence despite the faster chip, meaning you can’t take advantage of features like the ability to generate images and text. It will, however, support iPadOS 26’s windowed multitasking feature when the update arrives later this year.

Currently, the 11th-gen iPad starts at $349 with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage. Upgrading to 256GB or 512GB of storage will run you an extra $100 or $200, respectively, while the LTE model starts at $499. The base model recently dropped to $279 ($70 off) during Amazon’s most recent Prime Day event, proving that, if you’re patient, it’s possible to save a good chunk on the MSRP. That said, there are great deals to be had throughout the year. For example, the aforementioned base configuration is currently down to $299 ($50 off) — its second-best price to date — at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Alternatively, the 256GB model is $399 ($50 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, while the 512GB variant is available for around $598 ($51 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

The best iPad Mini (2024) deals

While the seventh-gen iPad Mini looks nearly identical to its predecessor, it offers a few notable upgrades, including compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro. The Pencil Pro brings features like squeeze controls for quick tool switching and a so-called “barrel roll” function, which lets you change the orientation of your stroke by rotating the stylus. The Mini also includes a newer A17 Pro processor with 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, and the base storage has increased to 128GB, up from 64GB. Otherwise, it retains many of the hallmarks found on its last-gen predecessor, including an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, a Touch ID sensor, and an estimated 10 hours of battery life when browsing on Wi-Fi.

The 2024 iPad Mini starts at $499 with 128GB of storage — the same price as the previous generation’s 64GB model. If you need more room for all your photos and apps, the 256GB and 512GB versions will set you back $599 and $799, respectively. Want to add cellular? That starts at $649. These are hefty price tags for such a small device, which might have you eyeing the larger iPad Air if you’re after more screen for your buck. But if you’re loyal to the compact form factor for tasks like reading, the iPad Mini is still the one to beat.

The iPad Mini dropped to just $379, an all-time low, during Prime Day; however, the current discounts aren’t nearly as dramatic, with the 128GB base model going for $474 ($25 off) at Amazon. You can also pick up the 256GB variant at Amazon and Walmart starting around $569 ($30 off), or the 512GB model at Amazon and B&H Photo for $779 ($20 off).

The best iPad Air (2025) deals

The seventh-gen iPad Air sits between the entry-level iPad and the more powerful iPad Pro. It’s available in 11-inch and 13-inch configurations, both of which are powered by Apple’s speedy M3 chip and compatible with the latest Apple Intelligence features. The Air also works with the updated Magic Keyboard, which now includes a full row of function keys for controlling volume and screen brightness. There’s not a ton that’s new with the latest Air compared to the prior model, but the bump in power should allow it to last longer.

The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, and the 13-inch version comes in at $799. While the starting prices are high, the tablet regularly goes on sale, with the 11-inch Air dipping to as low as $479 during events like Prime Day. Right now, for instance, the 11-inch Air with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage is on sale at Amazon and Walmart starting at $547.27 (about $52 off). The 256GB version is on sale for $629 ($70 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, while the 512GB model is down to $811.47 (about $88 off) at B&H Photo.

If you’re after the larger configuration, the 13-inch model with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage is currently on sale at Amazon and Walmart for around $725 ($75 off). Meanwhile, Amazon and Walmart are offering the configuration with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage for $815.73 (about $84 off), while the 512GB variant with Wi-Fi is down to $1,000.88 (about $100 off) at Amazon and Walmart.

The best iPad Pro (2024) deals

The seventh-gen iPad Pro is the most impressive tablet in Apple’s lineup, one that features the company’s latest M4 chip and a crisp “Tandem OLED” display. It has dedicated hardware for Apple Intelligence processing, a four-speaker setup for richer sound, and a repositioned front-facing camera along the horizontal edge, so you can keep the device in landscape during video calls. The more advanced tech, however, comes at a high price. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999 — the same price as the latest 13-inch MacBook Air — while the larger 13-inch model starts at $1,200.

The good news is that the iPad Pro regularly goes on sale. The 11-inch iPad Pro with 256GB of storage is currently down to $899 ($100 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, while the 512GB model is down to $1,089.90 (about $109 off) at Amazon. Stepping up to the 1TB model — which will provide you with even more room for apps, photos, and videos — will run you $1,459 ($140 off) at Amazon and Walmart.

If you want more screen real estate, the 13-inch model with 256GB is around $1,179 ($120 off) at Amazon and Walmart. Meanwhile, the 512GB model is down to $1,359.86 (about $140 off) at Amazon and Walmart, while the 1TB model is available at Amazon and Walmart for $1,631 ($268 off). You can also grab the 2TB model for $2,084 ($215 off) at Amazon and Walmart.

Received before yesterday

iPadOS 26 preview: The rare software update that makes (most) old hardware feel new

24 July 2025 at 17:18

The Mac and the iPad are different devices that do different things. This has been the line from Apple executives, from its initial introduction to the advent of touchscreen PCs to just last month when Apple’s Craig Federighi talked to us about iPadOS 26’s new multitasking features.

But it sometimes feels like this internal commitment to keeping the devices separate has held the iPad back as its hardware has become more capable. A mouse cursor? Sure, we’ll add it, after a few years of insisting on keyboard-and-finger interactions, but we’ll make it round and imprecise instead of pointy because the iPad is Different. Windowed multitasking? Sure, we’ll give you a version of it, but you can’t do whatever you want with the windows, and we’ll tie it to a weird new interface for grouping them, because the iPad is Different.

I respect the desire not to take the path of least resistance here, which would be to imitate the Mac by default without trying to do anything new. And it’s not like you could just move macOS elements over totally unchanged; having a touch-first user interface and touch-first apps means the iPad’s system needs to work well with both touch and a keyboard-and-mouse/trackpad setup. It needs to work well in landscape and portrait modes.

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iPads could get more Mac-like features soon

13 April 2025 at 13:48

By the time Apple releases M5-powered iPads, using iPadOS may feel closer to working on a Mac, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in today’s Power On newsletter. It won’t be macOS running on a tablet, but he writes that the changes will be significant enough to make people who want such a thing happy.

Updates to iPadOS coming this year will be focused “on productivity, multitasking and app window management — with an eye on the device operating more like a Mac,” according to Gurman. He says these changes are due “about a year” after the release of the M4 iPad Pro, a fantastic tablet with far more power than its software demands.

iPadOS screenshot showing Stage Manager in iPadOS 18.

Gurman’s report doesn’t give any indication of what Apple’s updated multitasking will look like, and it’s best to reserve any excitement until we see more. Back in 2022, Apple added Stage Manager to iPadOS 16, a feature that enables windowing and also groups app windows together in a dock-like collection on the side of the display. It might have seemed like an exciting change if you wanted to be able to ditch your MacBook, but what shipped felt too half-hearted to be a useful step in the direction of a proper desktop operating …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The best iPad deals you can get right now

16 July 2025 at 18:00
Apple’s latest iPad Pro is available in the 11-inch configuration starting at $899, while the 13-inch model can be had for $1,185. | Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

While the best iPad deals usually land during major sale events like Black Friday and Prime Day, many great iPad deals are available outside of those times. The day-to-day discounts come and go like changing winds, so there’s often some amount to be saved, particularly on Apple’s most affordable iPad. The most recent iPad Pro and iPad Mini are also regularly discounted, as is the latest iPad Air.

It’s difficult to know where exactly you can find the most notable iPad deals unless you’re scouring the major retailers on a daily basis. But that’s often what our deal hunters at The Verge are doing, so let us help you out. Below, we’ve listed the best deals you can get on each iPad model that is available, from the 11th-gen entry-level iPad to the more powerful models with M3 and M4 chips, all of which are set to receive Apple’s iPadOS 26 update when it arrives in the fall.

The best iPad (2025) deals

Apple’s 11th-gen iPad landed on the scene in March 2025. The newest base model tablet is a fairly iterative update of the prior model, but with 128GB of base storage (as opposed to 64GB) and the A16 Bionic chip, which is nearly 30 percent faster than the A14 chip used in the 10th-gen iPad. That being said, the newer chip doesn’t support the various Apple Intelligence features introduced in iPadOS 18.1 and subsequent updates. For that, you’ll want to opt for a more recent iPad Air, iPad Mini, or iPad Pro model.

Pricing-wise, the new iPad starts at $349 with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage. You can also upgrade to 256GB or 512GB of storage for an additional $100 or $200, respectively, or purchase an LTE model starting at $499. We haven’t seen significant price drops yet, although the entry-level model is currently on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Target starting at $299 ($50 off). Alternatively, you can purchase the 256GB model at Amazon, Walmart, and Target starting at $399 ($50 off), or the 512GB variant at Amazon and Walmart starting at $595 ($54 off).

The best iPad Mini (2024) deals

The seventh-gen iPad Mini is similar in several ways to the previous model, but comes with some big internal upgrades. It includes faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and a newer A17 Pro processor with 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence. Otherwise, it boasts nearly identical specs and features as the last-gen model, meaning it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, and options for 5G. It may not be worth upgrading if you already own a sixth-gen Mini, but newcomers to the category will appreciate the upgrades.

The 2024 iPad Mini starts at $499 with 128GB of storage, which was the price for the previous generation’s 64GB model. Electing for 256GB of storage brings the price up to $599, and the cellular models start at $649. These are some big numbers for a small iPad, so the larger iPad Air might be worth considering if you prefer your dollar to go further with more screen real estate. But if you want an Apple tablet in the smallest possible form factor, this is where the action is.

Right now, the 128GB base model with Wi-Fi is on sale at Amazon starting at $474 ($25 off). We saw the price drop to $379 for this model over Prime Day, highlighting just how much you can save during big events. You can also pick up the 256GB variant at Amazon for $589 ($10 off), or the 512GB model at Amazon for $699 ($100 off).

The best iPad Air (2025) deals

The 2025 iPad Air is little more than a spec bump over the previous model, with a few technical upgrades that should allow it to last longer into the future than either the entry-level iPad or the last-gen Air. It features an M3 chip with support for Apple Intelligence, plus compatibility with Apple’s latest Magic Keyboard that has a larger trackpad and an extra row of function keys. In short, the Air is a credible laptop replacement.

The 11-inch model starts at $599 and the 13-inch variant $799 — the same price as prior models — but it’s common to see discounts from third-party retailers. Right now, for instance, the 11-inch Air is on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo in its base configuration with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $549 ($50 off). You can also grab the 256GB model at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo starting at $639 ($60 off), or the step-up 512GB model at Amazon starting at $818 ($81 off).

The larger 13-inch model, meanwhile, is on sale at Amazon and Walmart with 128GB of storage starting at $730 ($70 off). You can also pick up the Wi-Fi / 256GB model at Amazon and Walmart starting at $820 ($79 off), or the 512GB variant at Amazon for $999 ($100 off).

The best iPad Pro (2024) deals

The 2024 iPad Pro is a far more impressive upgrade than the latest iPad Air. The 11- and 13-inch models start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, and they were the first Apple devices to feature the company’s latest M4 chip, which brings moderate performance gains and dedicated hardware for on-device Apple Intelligence processing. The new Pro models can claim other firsts, too, such as being the first iPad models with OLED displays and the lightest Pros yet, which is true of both sizes. They also feature repositioned front-facing cameras that sit along the horizontal edge (also found in the 11th-gen iPad), which prevent you from looking as though you’re staring off into space on a video call.

As for deals, the 11-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi / 256GB of storage is currently on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo starting at $899.99 ($100 off). The sleek and super-thin 13-inch model, meanwhile, is on sale in its 256GB base configuration at Amazon starting at $1,185 ($114 off), or in its 512GB configuration at Amazon starting at $1,366 ($133 off). Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo also have the 2TB model for $2,099 ($200 off) if you’re looking for the most storage possible to hold your apps, photos, and videos.

Update, July 16th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability, and mentioned that the 10th-gen iPad is no longer readily available to purchase. Brandon Russell also contributed to this post.

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