At the risk of offending some, when we talk about touch pad, we immediately think iPad, as the Apple device dominates this category. In the world of Android, only Samsung is still trying to offer up-to-date models, some of which have excellent quality screens, easily rivaling those of the best iPads. Going even beyond what Apple offers since there is now a model with a 14.6-inch (37 cm) screen, the Galaxy Tab Ultra! But the comparison stops there, because the Android system itself has not been able to create the momentum necessary to create applications truly designed for tablets. As a result, we find ourselves too often, on an Android tablet, with enlarged or poorly adapted smartphone applications. Here again, only Samsung is really making an effort by offering “in-house” apps to get the most out of its large-screen tablets. While the iPad has a rich catalog of applications specially designed to take advantage of the screen size and specific multitasking functions of iPadOS.
As much to say it right away, this does not mean that the choice is simple. Because even if there are only five models in the catalog overall, the multitude of options and differences in equipment between the models are enough to overheat the neurons. Fortunately, we can still say that all iPads have at least one characteristic in common: versatility. In other words, there are no wrong choices: all iPads will allow you to check your emails and websites, to play games, to watch videos, to work and even to replace a laptop under certain conditions. What changes is the comfort with which you will be able to carry out all these tasks, which varies according to the size of the screen, the storage capacity, the power of the processor, etc.
What are the differences between iPad screens?
Let’s start with the obvious difference: the size of the screen (represented by its “useful” diagonal, as always in this area). As its name suggests, the iPad mini is the smallest of the range, even if it has grown little this year in its 6th generation, with its 8.3 inch (21 cm) diagonal screen, against the 10.2 inches (26 cm) of the 9th generation iPad. It is also the lightest with just under 300 grams compared to 498. In other words, if you are looking for the most manageable iPad model, all you have to do is choose the color and the memory capacity of your iPad mini. . Note that the mini isn’t the cheapest of the bunch. The “just short” iPad, said to be the 9th generation, remains by far the most affordable of the family. And it now comes with 64GB of storage, which is significantly more comfortable than its predecessor, which was limited to 32GB, too meager an amount these days.
Let’s continue on the differences in size, both of the screen and of the entire tablet. The 5th generation iPad Air offers a 10.9-inch (27.7 cm) diagonal screen, while that of the first iPad Pro reaches 11 inches (27.9 cm), while nevertheless retaining, overall, exactly the same width and height. Normal: The 11-inch iPad Pro has very slightly thinner edges around the screen. Note, however, that the iPad Air is slightly thicker than the 11-inch iPad Pro (6.1 mm against 5.9 mm), but yet a little lighter (462 grams against 471).
To finish with the physical differences, the iPad Pro 12.9 inches dominates the category with a screen therefore reaching 32.7 cm diagonally. This makes it the most comfortable model for watching movies or TV series, and of course working provided you have the budget, because it is also the most expensive of all, necessarily. Finally, note that the 9th generation iPad is the only one in the entire range that does not have an anti-reflective coating.
What is the most powerful iPad?
Looking for the most powerful iPad? The answer to this question has become both simpler and more complex since the appearance of the replacement for the iPad Air 4. To everyone’s surprise, in fact, the iPad Air 5 is now equipped with the M1 chip, which was previously reserved for iPad Pro. This chip, designed by Apple, and which also equips Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, breaks records in terms of performance, even when compared to Intel or AMD processors found on computers. Raw power is therefore no longer enough to decide between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air. However, the other Apple chips, such as the A15 Bionic of the iPad mini are not left out. Only the A13 of the “very short” iPad is an outsider.
Is there a quality difference between the screens of all iPads?
Since the iPad is above all a screen, let’s talk about the quality of the latter. Those of the iPad Pro are the best in addition to being the largest (see above). They are the only ones to benefit from the technology called ProMotion by Apple and which allows them to achieve a screen refresh rate of up to 120 frames per second. The first advantage is to offer smooth scrolling, whether it’s sliding web pages vertically or moving horizontally from one home screen to another. A real visual comfort that you quickly forget, but which is missing as soon as you pick up a non-pro iPad in your hands. The switch to 120 frames per second is also very useful and efficient when using an Apple Pencil: it allows to further improve the reaction time of the Apple stylus for greater comfort when writing or drawing on the computer. ‘screen. Conversely, it also allows the screen to reduce its refresh rate down to 24fps to accommodate certain types of video, like movies. This is of particular interest to purists, and also allows the iPad to save a little energy.
Which Apple Pencil for which iPad?
The Apple Pencil is unsurprisingly the best stylus for the iPad. But, if you are interested in this accessory, it is advisable to choose the one that corresponds to your iPad. Thus, the 9th generation iPad is only compatible with the 1st generation Apple Pencil. While, from now on, all the other iPads in the range are compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. Yes, including the iPad mini 6! The difference between the two is mainly due to the charging methods used. The first plugs directly into the iPad’s Lightning port. While the second attaches magnetically to one of the flat edges of the iPad Pro, Air or mini to charge “wirelessly”.
Lightning or USB-C socket on iPads?
iPads also differ in the connector(s) they offer. In the beginning, all iPads used the same connector as iPhones. Later, iPad Pros adopted the USB–C connector, leaving the Lightning connector to non-pro iPads. The iPad Air has also adopted the USB–C connector. This is also the case with the very latest iPad mini 6. It must obviously be understood that the Lightning connector is destined to disappear, both on iPads and on iPhones for that matter, even if Apple seems to really want to take its time in it. matter. We can regret it, because the USB-C connector still has several advantages. For example, it allows direct connection to the iPad of USB keys or external disks using this USB-C connector without the need for an adapter. And this, taking advantage of all the transfer speed of USB-3, while the Lightning connector is limited to USB-2. Moreover, even if the transition is slower than expected, USB-C will become the new connector standard for smartphones, tablets and computers, and therefore make the Lightning connector obsolete.
In terms of similarities, we note that all iPads currently in the catalog, with the exception of the iPad mini, are equipped with the Smart Connector. We notice the latter by the presence of three small circles on the edge or on the back of the iPad, depending on the model, which make it possible to magnetically connect certain types of keyboards, for example. This connector then takes care of supplying energy to the keyboard and also, in the case of the Magic keyboard compatible with the iPad Pro and the 4th generation iPad Air, of splitting the USB-C socket.
Which is the best iPad for Zoom or FaceTime?
All iPads come with two or three photo/video lenses. Starting of course with the front camera, essential for videoconferencing. The 9th generation iPad no longer has to be ashamed of its little comrades from the rest of the range since it is now equipped with a 12 Mpx front camera, making it compatible with the Centered frame function, which takes care of keep the correspondent(s) placed in front of the lens in the center of the image. We now find this function throughout the range, now that the iPad Air 5 is also equipped with it. Audio is also very important for video conferencing. Unsurprisingly, the iPad Pro will provide the best result both for listening and recording. Both models are indeed equipped with four loudspeakers and five microphones, equipment which makes them largely the most efficient in this field. The fifth-generation iPad Air has two microphones, just like the ninth-generation iPad. Both for listening and for sound recording, you can also use headphones: be careful, only the iPad 9 is equipped with a mini jack audio socket. For all the others, you will therefore have to use Bluetooth headphones, or else a wired headset with a USB–C socket.
What is the best iPad for taking photos?
As for the rear-facing camera lenses, the 9th generation iPad produces 8MP images. The 4th generation iPad and iPad mini 6 feature a single lens with a 12MP sensor. While the iPad Pro has two lenses: a 12MP wide-angle and a 10MP ultra-wide angle. Another advantage of the iPad Pro, both in its 11 and 12.9-inch versions, is the presence of a LiDAR scanner for better distance detection. In other words, if you plan to use your iPad as a camera, especially to take advantage of a large viewfinder, then the iPad Pro is a must.
Finally, note one last difference between the iPad Pro and the others: only the latter offer a Face ID sensor to unlock the tablet using your face, as on the iPhone since the iPhone X. The others use a Touch ID sensor to unlock your device using a fingerprint. In the case of the 9th generation iPad, this sensor is located in the home button located below the screen, as on the iPhones before the iPhone X. In the case of the iPad Air and the iPad mini 6, since there is no longer a home button, Apple has integrated a fingerprint reader into the On/Off button, located on the upper edge.
There, you know everything or almost: now consult our selection to help you make your choice.