Video summary

I Tested EVERY iPad in 2026 — Here’s the One You Should Buy

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product Reviewed

The video compares Apple’s iPad lineup sold in 2026, focusing on which iPad you should buy based on features, AI support, portability, display quality, and creator/pro use.

Key iPads & What the Video Says to Buy

1) Base iPad (A16) — Entry-level

Price: starts at $449

Main features mentioned:

  • 11-inch Liquid Retina display
  • A16 chip
  • Supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and Magic Keyboard Folio
  • Solid for everyday tasks: web browsing, YouTube/Netflix, notes, reading, email, social media, games, light productivity

Major limitation / con:

  • Does NOT support Apple Intelligence / Siri AI (called out as a bigger deal because iPadOS 27 pushes AI features and Siri AI needs compatible hardware)
  • Display compromises vs premium models: no P3 wider color gamut and no anti-reflective coating

Overall take / verdict for this model:

  • Best if you want an affordable iPad for “simple tasks,” especially for kids/students/parents or users who won’t rely on AI.
  • Not recommended if you specifically want Apple Intelligence.

2) iPad mini (A17 Pro) — Portability-first

Price: starts at $599

Main features mentioned:

  • 8.3-inch display (very easy to carry; “ridiculously easy to take with you”)
  • A17 Pro chip
  • Supports Apple Intelligence and Siri AI (unlike the base A16 model)
  • Better display than base iPad: P3 wide color + anti-reflective coating
  • Supports Apple Pencil Pro
  • Use cases highlighted: travel companion, reading (replaced Kindle), movies on plane, gaming, note-taking, sketching/drawing

Pros:

  • Excellent portability without sacrificing AI features
  • Nicer display than base iPad
  • Great as a small creative/notetaking device

Con / trade-off:

  • Not best value; it costs a premium for being small
  • If you want it as your primary productivity device, the 8.3” screen may feel cramped

Overall take / verdict for this model:

  • Best recommendation if portability/travel is the top priority and you want AI support.

3) iPad Air (M4) — “Best for Most People”

Price: starts at $749 (11”) / $949 (13”)

Main features mentioned:

  • Upgraded to M4 chip (positioned as “Mac-class Apple silicon” in an iPad under the Pro)
  • Supports Apple Intelligence + Siri AI
  • Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
  • Two sizes: 11” (more portable) and 13” (bigger “canvas”)
  • Positioning: for the 13”, it’s “laptop territory” and can replace a laptop for iPadOS-based workflows

Pros:

  • Strong all-around performance and modern AI support
  • Big step toward “computer replacement,” especially with keyboard + 13” screen

Con implied:

  • iPad Pro has a superior display, so some buyers may “want to spend more” for that.

Overall take / verdict for this model:

  • The speaker’s top pick for most people: M4 iPad Air.

4) iPad Pro (M5) — Creators/Pros / Best Display

Prices mentioned (oddly formatted in subtitles):

  • “11‑in starts at $11.99” and “13‑in starts at $14.99” (likely subtitle/caption error; however the video clearly treats this as the premium, very expensive tier)

Main features mentioned:

  • M5 chip
  • The key reason to buy Pro: Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED
    • “Incredibly deep blacks,” amazing contrast
    • 120Hz ProMotion
    • up to 1600 nits for HDR
  • Nanotexture glass available on higher storage configs to reduce reflections

Creator/pro connectivity & audio:

  • Thunderbolt
  • four-speaker audio
  • studio-quality microphones
  • Pro camera system with LiDAR

Premium accessories:

  • “Much more premium Magic Keyboard”
  • Praised like a laptop keyboard: backlit keys, larger trackpad, aluminum palm rest

Portability note:

  • Despite “Air” vs “Pro” naming, iPad Pro is thinner and lighter than iPad Air.

Major con / why not to buy it:

  • For casual use (YouTube, Safari, notes, reading, games), spending $1,000+ on Pro is “probably unnecessary”
  • You’re paying for the display, performance, pro features, and ability to push the iPad harder
  • The speaker says Air gets you “surprisingly close,” so Pro is only worth it when you use what Pro offers.

Overall take / verdict for this model:

  • Best for creators/professionals: M5 iPad Pro, but only if you’ll take advantage of its strengths—especially the display and pro capabilities.

Comparisons / Decision Framework (Explicit in Video)

  • Base iPad vs AI: Base iPad lacks Apple Intelligence/Siri AI; mini supports it.
  • Mini vs productivity: Mini supports AI and has a better display, but can feel cramped for primary productivity.
  • Air vs Pro: Pro’s standout advantage is the display and pro features; Air is the better “value for most.”

Who should buy what (direct recommendations):

  • Casual user: A16 base iPad
  • Portability/travel: iPad mini
  • Best for most people: M4 iPad Air
  • Creators/pros: M5 iPad Pro
  • “Don’t buy Pro because it’s best”—buy it because you need what makes it best.
  • “Gaps aren’t about speed anymore”—it’s mostly size, display, AI support, and how far you’ll push the device.

Unique Points Mentioned (Distinct Claims)

  1. Tested every iPad Apple sells in 2026; each iPad is good for different users.
  2. iPadOS 27 introduces/refines Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI; compatible hardware is required.
  3. Base iPad (A16) supports typical tasks: web, streaming, notes, reading, email, games, light productivity.
  4. Base iPad (A16) does not support Apple Intelligence or Siri AI.
  5. Base iPad display lacks P3 wider color gamut and anti-reflective coating.
  6. Base iPad can still serve as a main computer for some people (tested/claimed).
  7. iPad mini is praised heavily for portability (8.3” and easy to travel with).
  8. iPad mini (A17 Pro) supports Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
  9. iPad mini offers better display than base iPad: P3 + anti-reflective coating.
  10. iPad mini supports Apple Pencil Pro for sketching/digital notebook.
  11. iPad mini replaces Kindle for reading (speaker claim).
  12. iPad mini is great for movies on planes (speaker claim).
  13. Mini may feel cramped for primary productivity due to smaller screen.
  14. Speaker recommends Paperlike 3 screen protector for writing/sketching (sponsor segment).
  15. iPad Air (M4) is recommended as best for most people.
  16. iPad Air uses M4 and is positioned as “Mac-class Apple silicon” below Pro.
  17. iPad Air includes Apple Intelligence + Siri AI, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard.
  18. Air has two sizes (11” portable, 13” laptop-like canvas).
  19. Speaker suggests Air can replace a laptop for iPadOS workflows (especially 13”).
  20. iPad Pro is positioned as best for performance, mainly for its display.
  21. iPad Pro display: Ultra Retina XDR, tandem OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, up to 1600 nits HDR.
  22. iPad Pro may include nanotexture glass on higher storage configs to reduce reflections.
  23. iPad Pro includes Thunderbolt, four-speaker audio, studio microphones, LiDAR Pro camera system.
  24. Pro Magic Keyboard praised (backlit keys, larger trackpad, aluminum palm rest).
  25. iPad Pro is thinner/lighter than iPad Air (speaker claim).
  26. Speaker’s personal use: Pro has been their main machine for years (professional creator).
  27. Pro is likely unnecessary for casual users; high cost overkill unless you need pro features.
  28. Final buying advice maps user type to model.
  29. Closing recap: choice is about size, display, AI, and how much you’ll push the device, not raw speed.

Pros / Cons (By Model, Condensed)

Base iPad (A16)

  • Pros: cheapest; good everyday performance; supports Pencil USB‑C + Magic Keyboard Folio
  • Cons: no Apple Intelligence / Siri AI; display not as premium (no P3/anti-reflective)

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

  • Pros: best portability; supports Apple Intelligence/Siri AI; better display; Pencil Pro support
  • Cons: premium pricing for small size; cramped for heavy productivity

iPad Air (M4)

  • Pros: best balance for most; AI + Siri AI; Pencil Pro + Magic Keyboard; can replace laptop for some workflows
  • Cons (implied): Pro still has better display/features

iPad Pro (M5)

  • Pros: best display experience; top-tier performance + creator features; premium keyboard; portable/thin
  • Cons: expensive; overkill for casual use unless you use the “Pro” strengths

Verdict / Overall Recommendation

  • Best for most people: M4 iPad Air
  • Best casual value: A16 base iPad (if you don’t care about AI/Siri AI)
  • Best for portability/travel: iPad mini (A17 Pro)
  • Best for creators/pros (and only if you’ll use it): M5 iPad Pro

Overall recommendation: choose based on AI compatibility (A16 lacks it), display quality, size/portability, and whether you’ll truly use pro-level features.

Speakers

  • Single primary speaker (the same host) provides recommendations, comparisons, and personal use claims.
  • No other distinct speakers are credited in the subtitles provided.

Original video