Every single i Pad is on sale for Memorial Day — here’s which models I’d recommend (and which I’d avoid) as an Apple expert | Tech Radar

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Every single i Pad is on sale for Memorial Day — here’s which models I’d recommend (and which I’d avoid) as an Apple expert

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Memorial Day is just around the corner, but Memorial Day sales are already well underway at retailers across the US — and if you’re in the market for an Apple i Pad, this is probably your best chance to bag a discount outside of Black Friday.

Amazon, in particular, has seen fit to discount not one, not two, but all six of Apple’s latest i Pad models — including the newly released i Pad Air 13-inch (2026) — so whether you’re after a casual movie-watching slate or a productivity powerhouse, there are meaningful savings to be snagged before Memorial Day proper rolls around on May 25.

Here are Amazon’s i Pad deals in full (which I’ve cross-referenced against equivalent deals from Walmart, Best Buy, and Target):

So, which model should you buy? We’ve got a dedicated guide to the best i Pads elsewhere on Tech Radar, but in this article, I’ll give you a quick run-down of which i Pads to consider, and which to avoid, depending on your use case.

The i Pad 11-inch (2025), aka the i Pad A16 (Image credit: Future)

If you’re looking for an i Pad for streaming movies, scrolling social media, and Face Timing family and friends, the i Pad 11-inch (2025) is the way to go. This is Apple’s most basic i Pad, but its 11-inch LED display and capable A16 chipset make it as good as any other tablet in its price range for casual movie-watching and light gaming. Seriously: if you’re just planning on using your i Pad for Netflix, you don’t need to go above and beyond the i Pad 11-inch (2025) — especially when it’s available for just $299.

The smaller i Pad mini 8.3-inch (2024) actually has a more powerful chipset than the base model, as well as Apple Intelligence compatibility, but you won’t benefit from these features unless you’re planning on demanding more from your i Pad than streaming and light gaming. And if that is you, then I’d recommend looking towards the new i Pad Air instead.

The i Pad Air 13-inch (2026), aka the i Pad Air M4 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The i Pad Air 13-inch (2026) hits the sweet spot between value and performance. Its Mac Book-level M4 chipset means it can power through productivity-focused applications with ease, it’s compatible with Apple Intelligence, and it also boasts a tidy 12GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.

Those three features make it a better tool for college students and office workers than the i Pad 11-inch (2025), and it’s available in two more work-friendly sizes than the 8.3-inch i Pad mini. In other words, if you want to draw up documents, create presentations, and edit photos, get the i Pad Air.

The i Pad Pro 11-inch (2025), aka the i Pad Pro M5, is overkill for most people (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

As for the i Pad Pro 11-inch (2025), you should only be considering this freakishly powerful product if you’re a digital artist or full-time video editor. It’s got the best display of any tablet on the market (it’s a 120 Hz OLED, as opposed to a 60 Hz LED), as well as the most powerful chipset in the Apple M5. The latter means the i Pad Pro can tackle 3D modeling and advanced video rendering, where other i Pads can’t, but if you’re not planning on doing either of those things, then this tablet is probably overkill — even at Amazon’s $899 deal price.

As for which models could get replaced this year, Apple is reportedly planning on releasing an Apple Intelligence-compatible base model and an OLED-equipped i Pad mini in 2026. Neither will be anywhere near as cheap as their respective predecessors are currently, but if you’d rather have AI capabilities on your movie-watching tablet or a smaller i Pad with an OLED display, then they may be worth waiting for.

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Axel is Tech Radar's Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and Four Four Two, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining Tech Radar in 2020, where he earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

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