iPad Generations
Since its initial launch in 2010, the iPad has been an incredibly popular device all around the world. This has led to the Apple company releasing higher-end versions of the iPad and different generations of iPads over the years. With each iPad generation release, Apple includes new features and updates that make the iPad a more powerful, user-friendly device.
In this article, we will look at all of the iPad generations released since the iPad’s launch and discuss the features and updates included in each of them. We will start with the oldest generation and work our way up to the newest models Apple has released.
1st Generation iPad
The first generation iPad was released in 2010 and included 9.7-inch display. It contained a 1GHz A4 processor, a 10-hour battery, and 16, 32, and 64GB hard drive sizes. This model was available in both Wi-Fi-only and 3G versions.
It was also the first tablet to launch Apple’s iOS-based operating system. The first generation iPad ran on iOS 3, which was later replaced with iOS 4.2.1.
2nd Generation iPad
The second generation iPad was released in 2011 and it contained upgrades to the processor, display, and memory options. It featured a 1GHz dual-core A5 processor, a 1024 x 768 pixel display, and available with 16, 32, and 64GB hard drives.
When compared to the first generation, the 2nd Gen iPad was 33 percent faster, had nine hours of battery life, and was half an inch thicker at 0.34 inches. This model also ran on iOS 4.2.1.
3rd Generation iPad
The third generation iPad was released in 2012, and was a drastic change from the previous two generations. This iPad model contained the first Retina display which allowed for much clearer and sharper image quality. Its processor was upgraded to a 1GHz quad-core A5X processor and its hard drive sizes were available as 16, 32, and 64GB.
The battery life was also improved with this model, as it could last up to 10 hours on a single charge. The 3rd Gen iPad ran on iOS 5.1.1
4th Generation iPad
The fourth generation iPad was released in 2012 and contained many of the same features as the 3rd Gen iPad. It was the first iPad to include the Lightning connector and was available in 16, 32, 64, and 128GB sizes.
It also had an improved A6X processor and battery, which allowed for up to 10 hours of battery life. This iPad ran on iOS 6.1.2.
5th Generation iPad
The fifth generation iPad was released in 2017 and was the first iPad to include the Apple A9 processor. This gave users a much-improved performance, as it was 70 percent faster than the fourth generation model.
This model also contained a 9.7-inch Retina display and was available in 32, 128 and 256GB hard drive sizes. It had an estimated 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 10.3.3.
6th Generation iPad
The sixth generation iPad was released in 2018 and contained many of the same features as the fifth generation model. It had an A10 Fusion processor, a 9.7-inch Retina display, and a 10-hour battery life. Its hard drive sizes were also available in 32, 128 and 256GB.
This model also contained Apple Pencil compatibility, which made it the first non-Pro iPad to feature such a feature. It ran on iOS 12.4.
iPad Air
The first iPad Air device was released in 2013 and contained the same A7 processor as the 5th and 6th generation models. However, this model was made out of aluminum, making it significantly thinner than previous generations.
It also contained an improved 9.7-inch Retina display and was available in 16, 32, 64, and 128GB sizes. Its battery life was estimated to be around 10 hours and it ran on iOS 7.
iPad Air 2
The second iPad Air device was released in 2014 and contained new features such as Touch ID and Apple Pay. It had a 9.7-inch Retina display and was available in 16, 32, 64, and 128GB hard drive sizes.
This iPad was also incredibly thin at just 0.24 inches and it contained an A8X processor and a 8-minute battery life. When compared to the first iPad Air, the second generation Air was 40 percent faster and 30 percent more energy efficient. It ran on iOS 8.
iPad Air 3
The third iPad Air was released in 2019 and contained the same features as the previous two generations. It had a 9.7-inch Retina display, was available in 32, 128, and 256GB hard drive sizes, and had an A12 Bionic chip.
This iPad was slightly thicker than the Air 2, measuring 0.29 inches. This model also contained an improved 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 12.4.
iPad Air 4
The fourth iPad Air was released in 2020 and contained many improvements over the previous model. This iPad featured a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and an A14 Bionic chip, making it incredibly powerful and efficient.
The iPad Air 4 was available in 64, 256, and 512GB hard drive sizes. It also contained 11 hours of battery life and ran on iOS 14.1.
iPad Mini
The first iPad mini was released in 2012 and contained a 7.9-inch display and A5 processor. It was available in 16, 32, and 64GB hard drive sizes and had an estimated 10 hours of battery life.
This iPad was incredibly thin at just 0.28 inches and ran on iOS 6.1.2.
iPad Mini 2
The second iPad mini was released in 2013 and contained many of the same features as the first mini. It had the same 7.9-inch display but included an improved A7 processor and a higher resolution. Its hard drive sizes were also available in 16, 32, and 64GB sizes.
The second iPad mini also had an estimated 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 7. It was also slightly thicker than the first mini, measuring 0.29 inches.
iPad Mini 3
The third iPad mini was released in 2014 and contained many improvements over the second mini. It had the same 7.9-inch Retina display but featured an improved A7X processor and available in 16, 64, and 128GB sizes.
This iPad also had an estimated 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 8. It was slightly thicker than the second mini, measuring 0.03 inches.
iPad Mini 4
The fourth iPad mini was released in 2015 and it contained the same 7.9-inch Retina display as the previous three generations. The processor was upgraded to an A8 processor and it was available in 16, 64, and 128GB sizes.
The fourth iPad mini also had an estimated 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS9. Its estimated thickness was 0.28 inches.
iPad Mini 5
The fifth iPad mini was released in 2019 and it was a much improved version of the previous mini models. It had the same 7.9-inch Retina display, but the processor was upgraded to an A12 Bionic Chip. The hard drive sizes were also available in 64, 256, and 512GB.
This model had an improved 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 12.4. It’s estimated thickness was 0.24 inches.
iPad Pro
The first iPad Pro was released in 2015 and it had a 12.9-inch Retina display. It was also the first iPad to feature the Apple A9X processor and it was available in 32, 128, and 256GB sizes.
This model also had an estimated 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 10. It was slightly thicker than the iPad Air, measuring 0.27 inches.
iPad Pro 2017
The second iPad Pro was released in 2017 and it was the first iPad to include Apple’s A10X Fusion processor. It had a 12.9-inch Retina display and was available in 64, 256, and 512GB hard drive sizes.
It also had an improved 10-hour battery life and ran on iOS 11. It was slightly thicker than the first, measuring 0.27 inches.
iPad Pro 2018
The third iPad Pro was released in 2018 and it featured the same 12.9-inch Retina display as the previous generation. The processor was upgraded to an A12X Bionic chip, and the hard drive sizes were available in 64, 256, and 512GB.
The battery life was improved up to 10 hours and it ran on iOS 12. This iPad was slightly thicker than the 2017 version, measuring 0.23 inches.
iPad Pro 2020
The fourth iPad Pro was released in 2020, and it was made out of all-new materials. It had a 11-inch or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display and was powered by the A12Z Bionic chip. The hard drive sizes were available in 128, 256, 512, and 1TB.
