What to Know
- The first iPad was released in 2010.
- The latest iPads were released in 2022.
- The current lineup includes the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Generation), iPad Air (5th Generation), iPad (10th Generation), and iPad mini (6th Generation).
If you want to know when iPads were invented, how many generations of iPads there are, or anything else about iPad history, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll go over the history of the iPad, from the first-gen iPad in 2010 to the sixth-generation iPad Pro, released in 2022.
The History of iPads: iPad Generations List
There was a time, not so very long ago, when the idea of a device you could carry around in your hands and use to watch movies, read books, look up any piece of information you desire, and even have conversations with your friends hundreds or thousands of miles away was something straight out of sci-fi. Now, every toddler eating Cheerios out of a Ziploc baggie in their car seat has one. There have been dozens of iterations of the iPad since it was introduced in the spring of 2010. In this article, we'll take an exhaustive look at iPad history and go over every single iPad since the device's inception.
Below, you will find all the generations of the iPad in reverse chronological order, with details and specifications, including their model numbers. If you're wondering what is the newest iPad, that will depend on whether you mean the iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, or iPad Pro. To learn more about what you can do with your iPad, sign up for our Tip of the Day newsletter.
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iPads in Order
This is a list of the standard-model iPads in order. You can find lists of iPad Air models, iPad mini models, and iPad Pro models below.
iPad (10th Generation)
Announced: October 18, 2022
Model: A2696, A2757, A2777
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The tenth-generation iPad is the first standard-model iPad to feature no Home button. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, a front camera on its landscape edge, a USB-C connector, Smart Connector, a nano-SIM tray on the right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD, 12 MP cameras, Touch ID in the top button. The housing is aluminum and comes in silver, yellow, pink, or blue. First-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support.
iPad (9th Generation)
Announced: September 14, 2021
Model: A2602, A2604, A2603, A2605
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The ninth-generation iPad features a black front bezel, 10.2-inch Retina Display, Lightning Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on its right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver or space gray, first-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.
This model looks very similar to the previous models, the seventh- and eighth-generation iPads. This model may be difficult to distinguish from its predecessor, the iPad (8th generation), simply by looking at it. The 9th Generation iPad is identical in all physical features and even comes in the same colors. The largest difference is in processing capabilities: the ninth-generation iPad uses an A13 bionic chip, making it even faster and more powerful. Use the model number for accurate identification.
iPad (8th Generation)
Announced: September 15, 2020
Model: A2270, A2428, A2429, A2430
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB
The eight-generation iPad can have a white or black front bezel. It features a 10.2-inch Retina Display, Lightning Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, first-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard support.
The eighth-generation iPad may be difficult to distinguish from its predecessor, the iPad (7th Generation), and successor, the iPad (9th Generation), simply by looking at it. The eighth-generation iPad is identical in all physical features and even comes in the same colors. The largest difference is in processing capabilities: the iPad (8th Generation) uses an A12 bionic chip. Use the model number for accurate identification.
iPad (7th Generation)
Announced: September 10, 2019
Model: A2197, A2200, A2198
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB
The seventh-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 10.2-inch Retina Display, Lightning Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side for Cellular and Wi-Fi, FaceTime HD, 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, first-generation Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard support.
iPad (6th Generation)
Announced: March 27, 2018
Model: A1893, A1954
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB
The sixth-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 9.7-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the right side for Wi-Fi and Cellular, FaceTime HD and 8MP cameras, Touch ID, aluminum housing in silver, gold, or space gray, and Apple Pencil support.
iPad (5th Generation)
Announced: March 21, 2017
Model: A1822 (Wi-Fi), A1823 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB
The fifth-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 9.7-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the right side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, Touch ID, and aluminum casing in silver, gold, or space gray.
You might notice a big gap between this iPad's release in 2017 and the fourth-generation iPad's release in 2012. In the intervening years, Apple released the iPad Air line in lieu of standard-model iPads. However, with the release of the fifth-generation iPad (also called the iPad 9.7-inch), Apple brought back the standard, base-model iPads, while the iPad Air line continued as a higher-end device, positioned between the base-model iPad and the iPad Pro.
iPad (4th Generation)
Announced: October 23, 2012
Model: A1458 (Wi-Fi), A1459 (Wi-Fi and Cellular), A1460 (Wi-Fi and Cellular (MM)
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
The fourth-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 9.7-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a micro-SIM tray on the right side, FaceTime HD, and iSight cameras.
iPad (3rd Generation)
Announced: March 7, 2012
Model: A1416 (Wi-Fi), A1430 (Wi-Fi and Cellular), A1403 (Wi-Fi and Cellular (VZ))
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
The third-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 30-pin connector, a micro-SIM tray on its right side, FaceTime, and iSight cameras
iPad (2nd Generation)
Announced: March 2, 2011
Model: A1395 (Wi-Fi), A1396 (GSM Model), A1397 (CDMA Model)
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
The second-generation iPad has a white or black front bezel, a 30-pin connector, a micro-SIM tray on the right side, FaceTime, and rear cameras.
iPad (First Generation)
Announced: January 27, 2010
Model: A1219 (Wi-Fi), A1337 (Wi-Fi and 3G)
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
This, finally, is the first-ever iPad. As evidenced by Steve Jobs' comments at the 1983 International Design Conference in Aspen, Apple had been working on something resembling the iPad, in some capacity, for almost thirty years! The first iPad came loaded with 12 "Multi-Touch applications" (all of which you can see in the screenshot above) and access to the App Store, where users could download (almost) any of the 140,000 apps that were available at the time. It featured a 9.7-inch, LED display. Just like now, you could purchase a Wi-Fi-only model or a model that included both Wi-Fi and cellular access on the 3G network.
The first-generation iPad has a black front bezel, a 30-pin connector, and a SIM tray (standard size).
How Do I Know What iPad I Have: iPad mini
The iPad mini was introduced in 2012 as an even more portable version of the iPad you could hold in one hand. We are now on the sixth generation of iPad minis, the most recent of which was released in September 2021.
iPad mini 6
Announced: September 14, 2021
Model: A2567, A2568, A2569
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The sixth generation iPad mini has an 8.3-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing (in space gray, pink, purple, or starlight), USB-C connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, and second-generation Apple Pencil support.
iPad mini 5
Announced: March 18, 2019
Model: A2133, A2124, A2126, A2125
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The fifth-generation iPad mini has a 7.9-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing (in silver, space gray, or gold), Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, and first-generation Apple Pencil support.
iPad mini 4
Announced: September 9, 2015
Model: A1538, A1550 Wi-Fi and Cellular
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
The fourth-generation iPad mini has a white or black front bezel, 7.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.
iPad mini 3
Announced: October 16, 2014
Model: A1599, A1600 Wi-Fi and Cellular
Capacity: 16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
The third-generation iPad mini has a white or black front bezel, a 7.9-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the left side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.
iPad mini 2
Announced: October 22, 2013
Model: A1489 Wi-Fi, A1490 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1491 Wi-Fi and Cellular (TD-LTE)
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
The second-generation iPad mini has a white or black front bezel, a 7.9-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the left side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in space gray or silver.
iPad mini
Announced: October 23, 2012
Model: A1432 Wi-Fi, A1454 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1455 Wi-Fi and Cellular (MM)
Capacity: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
The original iPad mini has a white or black front bezel, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the left side, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in slate or silver.
What Kind of iPad Do I Have: iPad Air
The iPad Air was first announced in 2013, and initially, it served as a replacement for the base-model iPad, which ceased production from 2013-2016 (inclusive). Though the base-model iPad was reintroduced in 2017, the iPad Air continued production as a higher-end option, somewhere between the iPad and iPad Pro. The most recent iPad Air model is the fifth-generation iPad Air, which was released in 2022.
iPad Air (5th Generation)
Announced: March 8, 2022
Model: A2588, A2589, A2591
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The fifth-generation iPad Air features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina edge-to-edge display and next-generation Touch ID on the top button. It offers new colors Pink, Purple, and Blue and includes no Home button.
iPad Air (4th Generation)
Announced: September 15, 2020
Model: A2316, A2324, A2325, A2072
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The fourth-generation iPad Air has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina edge-to-edge display (the most obvious identifier for this model, as edge-to-edge display is new to iPad Air as of fall 2020). It offers new colors Green and Sky Blue, no Home button, and next-generation Touch ID on the top button.
iPad Air (3rd Generation)
Announced: March 18, 2019
Model: A2152, A2123, A2153, A2154
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB
The third-generation iPad Air has a 10.5-inch Retina display, wide color display, True Tone display technology, aluminum housing (in silver, space gray, or gold), Lightning connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, and support for first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.
iPad Air (2nd Generation)
Announced: October 16, 2014
Model: A1566, A1567 Wi-Fi and Cellular
Capacity: 16, 32, 64, 128 GB
The second-generation iPad Air has a white or black front bezel, a 9.7-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in space gray, silver, or gold.
iPad Air (1st Generation)
Announced: October 22, 2013
Model: A1474 Wi-Fi, A1475 Wi-Fi and Cellular, A1476 Wi-Fi, Cellular (TD-LTE)
Capacity: 16, 32, 64, 128 GB
The original iPad Air has a white or black front bezel, a 9.7-inch Retina Display, a Lightning connector, a nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, and aluminum housing in space gray or silver.
What iPad Do I Have: iPad Pro
The iPad Pro was introduced in 2015, the last of the major iPad models. Like the MacBook Pro, the iPad Pro comes in two different sizes. Right now, the screen sizes offered are 12.9-inch and 11-inch, but this has varied over the iPad Pro's history. This is why you'll see some confusing generation labels in the list below: the iPad Pro 12.9-inch is on its sixth generation, but the iPad Pro 11-inch is only on its fourth generation since previous iterations of the smaller iPad Pro came with 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch screens.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation)
Announced: October 18, 2022
Model: A2436, A2764, A2437, A2766
Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
The sixth-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 12.9-inch XDR Liquid Retina Display, mini LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, 2D backlighting system with 2596 full‑array local dimming zones, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, Thunderbolt Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10MP ultrawide camera and 12MP back cameras, four microphones and four-speaker audio, second-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Generation)
Announced: October 18, 2022
Model: A2759, A2435, A2761, A2762
Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
The fourth-generation iPad Pro 11-inch features Edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10 MP ultrawide camera and 12 MP back cameras, four microphones and four-speaker audio, second-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 12.9 inch (5th Generation)
Announced: April 20, 2021
Model: A2378, A2461, A2379, A2462
Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
The fifth-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 12.9-inch XDR Liquid Retina Display, mini LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, 2D backlighting system with 2596 full‑array local dimming zones, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, 10 MP ultrawide camera and 12 MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, second-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd Generation)
Announced: April 20, 2021
Model: A2377, A2459, A2301, A2460
Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
The third-generation iPad Pro 11-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10 MP ultrawide camera and 12 MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation)
Announced: March 18, 2020
Model: A2229, A2069, A2232
Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
The fourth-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 12.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10 MP ultrawide camera and 12 MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, second-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Generation)
Announced: March 18, 2020
Model: A2228, A2068, A2230
Capacity: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
The second-generation iPad Pro 11-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, antireflective coating, aluminum housing in space gray or silver with fingerprint-resistant coating, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, new 10 MP ultrawide camera and 12 MP back cameras, five microphones and four-speaker audio, LiDAR Scanner, 2nd-generation Apple Pencil support, Smart Keyboard Folio support, and Magic Keyboard with trackpad support.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Generation)
Announced: October 30, 2018
Model: A1876, A2014, A1895, A1983
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
The third-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, black front bezel, 12.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, ProMotion technology, TruTone display, Wide color display (P3), USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Face ID, TrueDepth camera and 12 MP back camera, aluminum housing in space gray or silver, four-speaker audio, second-generation Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard Folio support.
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation)
Announced: October 30, 2018
Model: A1980, A2013, A1934, A1979
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
The first-generation iPad Pro 11-inch replaced the iPad Pro 10.5-inch. It features edge-to-edge display, no Home button, Face ID, black front bezel, 11-inch Liquid Retina Display, ProMotion technology, Wide Color Display (P3), True Tone Display Technology, aluminum housing in space gray or silver, USB-C Connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Pro Wi-Fi and Cellular version, TrueDepth camera, 12 MP back camera, four-speaker audio, second-generation Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard Folio support.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd Generation)
Announced: June 5, 2017
Model: A1670, A1671 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
The second-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features a white or black front bezel, 12.9-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, ProMotion technology, Wide color display (P3), Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight cameras with flash, aluminum housing (in space gray, silver, or gold), four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard support.
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
Announced: June 5, 2017
Model: A1701, A1709 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
The iPad Pro 10.5-inch features a white or black front bezel, 10.5-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, ProMotion technology, Wide color display (P3), Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular version, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight cameras with flash, aluminum housing (in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold), four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard support.
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
Announced: March 21, 2016
Model: A1673, A1674 (Wi-Fi and Cellular), A1675 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
The iPad Pro 9.7-inch features a white or black front bezel, 9.7-inch Retina Display, True Tone display technology, Lightning connector, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on right side on Wi-Fi and Cellular versions, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight camera with flash, aluminum housing (in space gray, silver, gold, or rose gold), four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard support.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st Generation)
Announced: September 9, 2015
Model: A1584, A1652 Wi-Fi and Cellular
Capacity: 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
The first-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch features a white or black front bezel, 12.9-inch Retina Display, Lightning port, Smart Connector, nano-SIM tray on the right side, Touch ID, FaceTime HD camera and iSight camera, aluminum housing (in space gray, silver, or gold), four-speaker audio, Apple Pencil support, and Smart Keyboard support.
And there you have it! That is every generation of every model of iPad. Now you know as much as anyone needs to about iPad history. Or do you? If you still have lingering questions, read on in our frequently asked questions section.
FAQ
- What is the history of the iPad? The first iPad was released in 2010, but it had been in development for years—decades, even—before that. Apple's Newton MessagePad from 1993 might look familiar to an iPad fan.
- Who invented the iPad? While Steve Jobs is frequently credited with inventing the iPad, and he seems to have had ideas that would eventually develop into the iPad as early as 1983, it is hard to say that one single person invented the iPad. Many Apple designers, engineers, and executives worked on tablets and, eventually, the iPad.
- How many generations of iPad have there been? In total, there are 33 different models of iPad, including all the iPad minis, Airs, and Pros. There are 10 generations of the standard-model iPad, 12 models of iPad Pro, five generations of iPad Air, and six generations of iPad mini.
