Apple has a reputation of being stingy when it comes to discounts and sales, but you'll be still be able to take advantage of significant savings on iPads during the holiday season. Black Friday deals on select Apple iPads - including new 2024 models - have already begun despite the fact Black Friday is still a number of days away. The only problem is that these prices fluctuate daily, so it's important to jump on a fabulous deal when you see one. These are just some of Apple's Black Friday deals, so check out the rest if you're in the Apple ecosystem.
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The list of iPads and their lowest prices are listed above. For a breakdown of each iPad model, then read on below.
iPad 10th Gen 10.9" 64GB
The 10th gen iPad was released in 2022 at a launch price of $449, but it's all the way down to $279. This is potentially one of the best iPad deals we'll see for all of Black Friday. This model has significant improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it boasts a larger 10.9" screen without adding to the overall dimensions thanks to a slimmer bezel. It also has a faster A14 Bionic chip, which is a 20% increase in CPU performance and 10% increase in GPU performance over the A13. It's now compatible with the Magic Folio keyboard so you can convert it into a mini laptop for better workflow (making it one of the best iPads for students). Other welcome features include the transition to a universal USB Type-C port, a better camera, and an updated Wi-Fi 6 protocol.
iPad Pro (M4)
The 2024 iPad Pro is the best tablet, iOS or otherwise, thanks to the new M4 processor which is both powerful and power efficient. Amazon has dropped the prices by as much as $200 and I think these are the best Black Friday deals we'll get for these two models. In our 2024 iPad Pro M4 review, Jacqueline Thomas wrote, "For creative professionals, the 2024 iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market and is going to shine if your work revolves around a touchscreen. For the rest of us, though, the iPad Pro is simply the most beautiful display you'll find in a tablet, with hardware that's powerful enough to be a top-end device for years to come."
Compared to the previous generation iPad M2, it performs about 20% better. However, the biggest update of the iPad Pro is not the M4 chip, but instead the tandem OLED panel which hadn't previously been seen on an Apple product. Tandem OLED is better than traditional OLED in two ways: (1) it's far brighter and (2) it's less prone to burn-in. If you're wondering why this technology hasn't found its way into TVs, the answer is simply because it's not cost effective. The iPad can get away with it because the 11" screen is much smaller, but that's also why the iPad Pro is priced much higher than the other iPads in Apple's 2024 lineup.
iPad Mini (A17 Pro) 8.3" 128GB
The new iPad Mini was released in October of 2024, and it's already on sale. The iPad Mini may be the most diminutive tablet of the bunch, but that doesn't mean it's hindered in any way. This is the most compact and portable iPad and it's not that much bigger than an iPhone Pro Max. It sports a 8.3" Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 Wide Color. It has some pretty significant improvements that are well worth the $50 surcharge over the previous generation model. Upgrades include a more power A17 Pro processor, double the base storage capacity, the newer and faster Wi-Fi 6e protocol,a higher bandwidth USB Type-C port, compatibility with the newer Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), and upcoming Apple Intelligence support. If you're looking for a powerful yet pocketable iPad, this is definitely your pick.
iPad Mini 6th Gen (A15 Bionic) 8.3" 64GB
Even with the release of the new 2024 model, the 2021 6th gen iPad Mini is still relevant and costs $100 less. It's powered by an Apple A15 Bionic processor that's superior to the A14 Bionic found on the newest standard iPad. It has a USB Type-C port for non-legacy charging and supports the Apple Pencil 2 for better workflow.
iPad Air (M2)
The 2024 iPad Air is nearly as powerful as the iPad Pro but at a much lower price point. It comes in two sizes, an 11" display with 2360-by-1640 (264ppi) resolution and a 13" display with 2732x2048 (264ppi) resolution. The display is superior to the one found on the standard iPad model with more premium features like P3 wide color, True Tone, and an ultra-low reflectivity film that helps combat glare and direct sunlight. Upgrades over the previous gen iPad Air include an M2 chip that's 15% faster in CPU performance and 25% faster in GPU performance over the M1, compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, and adoption of newer connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 6E and USB Type-C.
Should I wait for better prices on Black Friday?
Black Friday is the best opportunity to score some great deals on electronics, and Apple products are no exception. You might be wondering just how low these prices can go. Although we have no direct feedback from Apple themselves, we have years of our own historical price trends to back up our predictions. At this point, Black Friday is close enough that there's certainly no harm waiting. The iPads I don't think will drop in price right now are the iPad 10th Gen and the iPad Pro. The iPads I think may drop in price are the iPad Mini A17 Pro and the iPad Air. If Amazon isn't your preferred vendor (or if they run out of stock), I expect these deals to be available at Best Buy and Walmart as well. The Apple Store is also hosting its own Black Friday Sale, although these deals won't be nearly as good as the third party retailers.
Looking for more iPad resources?
If you're not sure which iPad is best for you, we have an iPad guide which details which iPad is ideal for which use case. If you intend want to get an iPad for schoolwork, we have an iPad guide for students as well. If you're looking for options outside of iOS, check out the best Android tablets of 2024.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
