Wired updates iPad buying guide for 2025 lineup
WIRED has refreshed its guide to Apple's iPad models, highlighting the latest releases and features amid the arrival of iPadOS 26 in September 2025. The update covers current options like the A16-powered base iPad and M4 iPad Pro, while advising against older models. It also notes rumors of an upcoming M5 iPad Pro.
Apple's iPad lineup in 2025 offers choices for various needs, from casual entertainment to professional work, as detailed in WIRED's updated buying guide from October 2025. The base iPad, now in its 11th generation with an A16 chip released in 2025, features an 11-inch LCD display, 6 GB of RAM, and starts at $349 for 128 GB storage. It supports iPadOS 26's new windowed apps and multitasking but lacks Apple Intelligence due to insufficient RAM and is compatible only with first-generation or USB-C Apple Pencils.
For more power, the iPad Air (7th generation for 11-inch, 2nd for 13-inch, both with M3 chip from 2025) provides 8 GB RAM, LCD screens in two sizes starting at $599, and full Apple Intelligence support. WIRED rates it 7/10, praising its performance for graphics-intensive tasks like 3D art, with 10 hours of battery life claimed by Apple.
The compact iPad Mini (7th generation, A17 Pro from 2024) at $499 suits reading and portability with an 8.3-inch display and Pencil Pro compatibility, also supporting Apple Intelligence. WIRED recommends it 8/10 for small form factor users.
The premium iPad Pro (M4 from 2024) in 11-inch ($999) and 13-inch ($1,299) models introduces OLED Ultra Retina XDR displays with 1,600 nits peak brightness, the thinnest design yet at 5.1-5.3 mm, and M4 chip with up to 16 GB RAM. However, WIRED scores it 6/10 as overkill for most, noting incompatibility with older accessories.
iPadOS 26, released September 2025, enhances multitasking with resizable windows, menu bars, and Exposé mode on compatible models from 8th-gen iPad onward. Apple Intelligence is limited to M1-or-later chips. WIRED advises avoiding pre-2020 iPads due to outdated software and performance. Rumors suggest an M5 iPad Pro launch by November 2025, potentially prompting sales on current Pros.