The iPad lineup from Apple has something for everyone, whether you’re a casual user, a creative professional, or someone looking for a budget-friendly tablet. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, and iPad Pro 13, comparing their features, performance, and value to help you decide which one fits your needs in 2025. These devices—iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, and iPad Pro 13—are some of the most popular tablets on the market today, and we’ll break down everything you need to know for an SEO-optimized, user-friendly guide.
Overview of the iPad Lineup
Apple’s iPad range in 2025 includes the affordable iPad 10th Generation, the versatile iPad Air 13 inch, the compact yet powerful iPad 10.9, and the premium iPad Pro 13. Each model caters to different users, from students and casual browsers to artists and power users. Let’s explore how the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, and iPad Pro 13 stack up against each other.
iPad 10th Generation: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
The iPad 10th Generation, released in 2022, remains a solid choice in 2025 for those seeking value without compromising on performance. With its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, the iPad 10th Generation offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and light productivity tasks.
Key Features of iPad 10th Generation
- Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (2360×1640 resolution).
- Processor: A14 Bionic chip—fast for everyday use but not as advanced as newer models.
- Price: Starts at $349 (often discounted to ~$300), making it the most affordable option.
- Accessories: Supports the 1st-gen Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio.
The iPad 10th Generation is often confused with the iPad 10.9, but they’re the same device—Apple markets it as the iPad 10th Generation with a 10.9-inch screen. It’s perfect for students or casual users who don’t need the cutting-edge power of the iPad Air 13 inch or iPad Pro 13. However, it lacks Apple Intelligence support, which might be a dealbreaker for some in 2025.
Who Should Buy the iPad 10th Generation?
If you’re on a budget and want a reliable tablet for Netflix, web browsing, or note-taking, the iPad 10th Generation is a no-brainer. It’s not as powerful as the iPad Air 13 inch or iPad Pro 13, but it gets the job done.
iPad Air 13 Inch: The Middle Ground with Big Potential
The iPad Air 13 inch, introduced in 2024, takes things up a notch with its larger display and enhanced performance. Available in both 11-inch and 13-inch variants, the iPad Air 13 inch is a sweet spot between the iPad 10th Generation and iPad Pro 13, offering pro-level features at a more accessible price.
Key Features of iPad Air 13 Inch
- Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina (2732×2048 resolution), with P3 wide color and anti-reflective coating.
- Processor: M2 chip—significantly faster than the A14 in the iPad 10th Generation.
- Price: Starts at $799 for the 13-inch model.
- Accessories: Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
The iPad Air 13 inch stands out with its larger screen compared to the iPad 10.9 (aka iPad 10th Generation), making it ideal for multitasking, video editing, and creative work. Unlike the iPad 10th Generation, it supports Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI suite, which enhances productivity with features like smart text editing and image generation.
Who Should Buy the iPad Air 13 Inch?
The iPad Air 13 inch is perfect for users who want more screen real estate and power than the iPad 10th Generation offers but don’t need the premium features of the iPad Pro 13. Think graphic designers, students with heavy workloads, or anyone who loves a big, beautiful display.
iPad 10.9: Clearing the Confusion
Let’s address the iPad 10.9—it’s just another name for the iPad 10th Generation. Apple markets this device with its 10.9-inch display size, so when you hear iPad 10.9, it’s the same budget-friendly tablet we’ve already covered. To avoid redundancy, we’ll keep referring to it as the iPad 10th Generation, but know that iPad 10.9 and iPad 10th Generation are interchangeable.
So, how does the iPad 10.9 (aka iPad 10th Generation) compare to the iPad Air 13 inch and iPad Pro 13? It’s smaller and less powerful but costs significantly less, making it a strong contender for casual use.
iPad Pro 13: The Ultimate Tablet Experience
The iPad Pro 13, updated in 2024, is Apple’s flagship tablet, designed for professionals and power users who need the best of the best. With its 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display and M4 chip, the iPad Pro 13 outshines the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, and iPad 10.9 in every way—except price.
Key Features of iPad Pro 13
- Display: 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR (2752×2064 resolution), with ProMotion (120Hz) and OLED technology.
- Processor: M4 chip—Apple’s most powerful tablet processor yet.
- Price: Starts at $1,299 for the 13-inch model.
- Accessories: Supports Apple Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard, and external displays.
The iPad Pro 13 offers a superior experience compared to the iPad 10th Generation and iPad Air 13 inch, thanks to its OLED screen, which delivers deeper blacks and higher contrast. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth—something the iPad 10.9 and iPad Air 13 inch can’t match.
Who Should Buy the iPad Pro 13?
If you’re a video editor, 3D artist, or someone who needs a laptop replacement, the iPad Pro 13 is worth the investment. It’s overkill for casual users who’d be fine with the iPad 10th Generation or iPad Air 13 inch.
Comparing Performance: iPad 10th Generation vs iPad Air 13 Inch vs iPad 10.9 vs iPad Pro 13
Performance is a key factor when choosing between the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, and iPad Pro 13. Here’s how they stack up:
- iPad 10th Generation (iPad 10.9): The A14 Bionic chip handles everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light gaming with ease. It’s not built for heavy multitasking or pro-level apps.
- iPad Air 13 Inch: The M2 chip offers a massive leap, making it suitable for photo editing, 4K video rendering, and Apple Intelligence features—far beyond the iPad 10th Generation.
- iPad Pro 13: The M4 chip is a beast, outperforming even some laptops. It’s the best choice for demanding workflows, leaving the iPad 10.9 and iPad Air 13 inch in the dust.
For most users, the iPad 10th Generation is sufficient, but if you need more power, the iPad Air 13 inch or iPad Pro 13 are better picks.
Display Differences: Which iPad Wins?
The display is where the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, and iPad Pro 13 really diverge:
- iPad 10th Generation (iPad 10.9): 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits brightness—great for casual use but lacks advanced features.
- iPad Air 13 Inch: 13-inch Liquid Retina, 600 nits, P3 wide color—bigger and better than the iPad 10th Generation, but no ProMotion.
- iPad Pro 13: 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR, 1600 nits peak brightness, 120Hz ProMotion—unmatched quality compared to the iPad 10.9 and iPad Air 13 inch.
If screen size and quality matter most, the iPad Pro 13 is the clear winner, followed by the iPad Air 13 inch. The iPad 10th Generation is still solid for its price.
Price and Value: What’s Worth Your Money?
- iPad 10th Generation (iPad 10.9): $349—best value for casual users.
- iPad Air 13 Inch: $799—great balance of price and performance.
- iPad Pro 13: $1,299—premium price for premium features.
The iPad 10th Generation wins on affordability, while the iPad Air 13 inch offers the best middle-ground value. The iPad Pro 13 is only worth it if you need its advanced capabilities.
Which iPad Should You Choose in 2025?
- iPad 10th Generation (iPad 10.9): Best for budget buyers, students, and casual users.
- iPad Air 13 Inch: Ideal for creatives, multitaskers, and those wanting a bigger screen.
- iPad Pro 13: Perfect for professionals needing top-tier performance and display.
Whether you pick the iPad 10th Generation, iPad Air 13 inch, iPad 10.9, or iPad Pro 13, you’re getting a fantastic tablet. For most people, the iPad 10th Generation is enough, but if you want more, the iPad Air 13 inch or iPad Pro 13 won’t disappoint.