Apple has finally released two new iPads this calendar year: the iPad Air (2024) and the iPad Pro (2024). However, the regular iPad hasn’t been updated since 2022. It’s not bad tablet by all means, but with a little research and know-how you can find other tablets that may be a much better fit.
Here are the best iPad (2022) alternatives you can buy now. A few may surprise you.
iPad Air (2024)
Let’s start with the most obvious alternative: the iPad Air (2024). The sixth-generation model is positioned between the iPad Pro series and the regular iPad. You can choose between an 11-inch and, for the first time, a 13-inch iPad Air.
For the purposes of this discussion, it’s important to highlight the differences between the 11-inch iPad Air and the 10.9-inch iPad (2022), of which there are several.
The M2 chip, a significant leap from the A14 Bionic chip in the previous model, powers the new iPad Air (2024). The M2 chip boasts an 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine — delivering improved power efficiency for a smoother tablet experience. It’s the same chip in the still-impressive iPad Pro (2022).
Also, unlike the iPad (2022), the iPad Air will support Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI tools announced earlier this year. AI is a big deal and something to keep an eye on for years to come.
The iPad Air (2024) has a slightly larger display and includes P3 wide color and an anti-reflective coating. These improvements result in a more vivid and immersive viewing experience.
With the iPad Air (2024), you also get support for the all-new Apple Pencil Pro, which has more features than the Apple Pencil (USB-C), the drawing tool that works with the current iPad.
Finally, iPad Air now comes with more storage, which is great for creatives, gamers, and anyone who needs plenty of storage space on a tablet. You have a choice between 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or a whopping 1TB.
The 2024 iPad Air costs $250 more than the 2022 iPad, but its improved chip, Apple Intelligence support, and bigger and better display justify the higher price. In addition, the iPad Air is two years newer than the iPad, which means it will support more versions of iPadOS in the coming years.
Finally, don’t forget that this time there’s also a 13-inch iPad Air, which offers the same features as the 11-inch model, but with a larger display and battery.
iPad Pro (2024)
iPad Pro (2024) is the best Apple iPad on the market and the best iPad ever made. Available in 11-inch and 13-inch variants. The iPad Pro not only inherits all the features of the iPad Air (2024), but also boasts a set of notable upgrades that set it apart as a top contender in the tablet market.
The iPad Pro (2024) begins its impressive upgrades with the exclusive Apple M4, a chip currently unmatched in the Mac lineup. This powerful chip delivers a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU and an advanced 16-core Neutral Engine — setting a new standard in tablet performance.
iPad Pro (2024) is the first tablet with an Ultra Retina XDR display. This display uses cutting-edge tandem OLED technology to deliver incredible contrast, ProMotion and True Tone. It also offers 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness, making using the iPad Pro (2024) easier in a variety of lighting conditions.
Like the 2024 iPad Air, the 2024 iPad Pro also supports the Apple Pencil Pro. It features a new, more durable Magic Keyboard designed to mimic MacBook keyboards, offering a better typing experience on the go. The iPad Pro (2024) is also the thinnest iPad Apple makes, and one of the lightest.
Unsurprisingly, the 2024 iPad Pro is significantly more expensive than the 2022 iPad, starting at a hefty $999. You’ll have to decide if the advanced features justify the higher price. For some people, the iPad Pro might not be worth that much money. But for others, it will be a no-brainer.
iPad (2021)
iPad Air (2024) and iPad Pro (2024) offer experiences that go far beyond iPad (2022). Now, let’s go in the opposite direction. Instead of buying the current iPad, you might consider the older model, the iPad (2021).
Apple no longer sells this outdated tablet, but it is still available through third-party sellers. In general, you’ll get old iPad (2021) features like the A13 Bionic chip, a smaller 10.2-inch display, a worse rear camera, a Lightning connector vs. a USB-C connector, and Touch ID at the bottom.
All told, the iPad (2021) may be better than the iPad (2022) due to its lower price. It’s often available for under $250, making it a great budget option since it’s about $100 less than the iPad (2022).
We don’t recommend the iPad (2021) as a primary tablet, but it’s an excellent choice for iPad newcomers or as a secondary tablet in the household.
Amazon Fire Max 11
Our last two iPad (2022) alternatives belong to two other companies. The first is the Amazon Fire Max 11, an affordable Android tablet released in 2023.
The 11-inch tablet from Amazon is worth a look for several reasons, as long as you’re willing to use Fire OS 8 (built on Android) instead of iPadOS. It’s priced lower than the iPad 2021 and 2022, but offers a 2K display, an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi 6 for fast streaming. It also includes a fingerprint sensor for easy and secure unlocking and an 8MP rear camera.
Consider another critical factor: battery life. While each previously mentioned tablet offers up to 10 hours between charges, this Amazon tablet offers 14 hours. Its price point makes it an excellent choice for kids, retirees, and anyone who’s often on the go.
Our review praised the Amazon Fire 11 Max as “an excellent Android tablet you should consider buying.” In addition to the points mentioned earlier, the tablet is recognized for its excellent video screen and great accessories like the keyboard and stand case, which only increase its price to about what Apple charges for the iPad (2022) without the two accessories.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2
If you’re an Android fan and want a more powerful alternative to the Amazon Fire Max 11 as an iPad replacement (2022), the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is a compelling choice. Released around the same time as the iPad (2022), this 11.2-inch tablet has seen a significant price drop, with some models now available for under $200.
For that, you get a 2.5K (2560 by 1536) OLED display, an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, and up to 14 hours of battery life. The tablet also has a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. It also offers a sleek two-tone design with its aluminum body.
Like the Amazon Fire Max 11, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is a cheaper iPad (2022) with better battery life and a slightly larger display. While most models ship with Android 12, the Lenovo tablet supports Android 13 and Android 14.
