Which iPad should you buy in 2026?!

Product(s) reviewed: Which iPad to buy (2026 guide)

The video is a buying guide covering multiple iPad models and recommending which type of user should choose each one, with prices and key tradeoffs.

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1) A16 iPad (lowest-cost option)

Key features

• A16 chip
• 11-inch display
• 60Hz screen (not 120Hz)
• Supports productivity accessories (keyboard case + USB‑C Apple Pencil (1st gen) mentioned)
• Good for light gaming (example: Fruit Ninja)
• Positioned as an easy, affordable iPad for everyday use and kids

Pros (as stated)

• “One of my favorite iPads” and recommended to most people
• Great value at the price
• 60Hz isn’t a dealbreaker for typical use
• Affordable enough that replacing it won’t “destroy the budget” if damaged

Cons (as stated)

• 60Hz is worse than 120Hz models

User experience notes

• Great for couch use, quick games, basic web/consumption
• Productivity is doable with keyboard + pencil, but it’s not aimed at heavy creative work

Price

• Starting at $349
• Claim: delivers about 90–95% of what an iPad Pro does (framed as “value” vs Pro cost)

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2) iPad mini (best “in your hand” / consumption pick)

Key features

• A17 Pro chip
• 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD
• 60Hz display
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro
• Positioned for reading, note-taking, meetings (“infinite notes” without a notebook)

Pros (as stated)

• Very portable—“hold this thing in one hand”
• Strong performance for everyday use, gaming, and “photo editing just fine” (not video-heavy workflows)
• Efficient battery/charging behavior: can be used throughout the week with minimal standby loss (mentioned as ~1–2% loss while sitting)
• Great for reading at night (mentions red mode for comfort)

Cons (as stated)

• Not the most powerful iPad (no high-end specs emphasis)
• Not positioned as a productivity powerhouse

User experience notes

• Best for couch use, reading, and portable note-taking
• Good for handwritten productivity, but less ideal for heavy creators

Price

• $499
• Claim: will last about 5 more years
• Recommendation: best for consumption; also good for handwritten notes/productivity-lite

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3) iPad Air (best “for 99% of people” mainstream pick)

Key features

• Uses M4 chip
• Comes in 11-inch and 13-inch
• 60Hz screen (no 120Hz)
• Very bright screen (described as vibrant)
• Strong battery/standby time

Pros (as stated)

• Recommended for 99% of people
• 11-inch preferred because the 13-inch is “massive” for regular daily holding/use
• Excellent battery life:
  • If it’s your only device: 2–3 days
  • If not: about 7 days due to standby time
• Never felt overheating; felt plenty powerful for typical work/consumption
• Works well with video apps (60fps capability mentioned; most content is 30fps, so it’s a smooth match)

Cons (as stated)

• Still 60Hz (not for people who specifically need 120Hz)

User experience notes

• Great for content consumption, reading, general productivity
• Creative/production on iPad Air is possible, but the creator says iOS still holds back some creative workflows

Price

• $599 for 11-inch
• $799 for 13-inch (but strongly recommended to skip the 13-inch)

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4) iPad Pro (the “Grand Poobah” / creator-grade premium)

Key features

• 120Hz display
• Tandem OLED screen tech described for deep blacks/no bleed
• Very high-end build quality (“paper thin,” “solid”)
• Magic Keyboard called out as the best accessory
• Mentioned chip: M5 (positioned as especially strong for photo/video workloads)

Pros (as stated)

• “Nothing bad” said about performance/display—highly impressed overall
• 120Hz smoothness and “inky jet black” OLED quality
• Strong for pro creative work:
  • artists, writers (writers advised to go less than Pro, but Pro is capable)
  • content creators (Lightroom mentioned as great on iPad)
  • videography/photography workflows
• Magic Keyboard “makes this thing where you can finally say, ‘What’s a computer?’”

Cons (as stated)

• Price is the main drawback; “crazy” and “expensive”
• Not for most people

Price

• $999 for 11-inch
• $1299 for 13-inch
• Recommendation aligns with professional/paid creative output use

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5) Sponsored accessories (EIP) mentioned for the A16 iPad

(Not iPads; included as product details from the subtitles.)

HyperKeys keyboard case

• Keyboard with lots of travel
• Full RGB keyboard (rare vs most iPad cases)
• Full-surface click-anywhere trackpad (not just corner clicking)
• Customizable shortcut keys (example: Procreate quick menu)
• Strong magnet; designed to not fall out in a backpack

“Pencil X” (Apple Pencil replacement)

• Price: $36
• Performs “perfectly well”
• Single/double click with app customization (example: home screen / search)
• Comes with a metal tip; supports different tip sensitivities
• Battery status via color light; can show battery status light

Nanotech 2 paper-feel screen protector

• “Feels like paper”
• Uses nanotech for smooth application
• Claimed washable and removable multiple times

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Overall comparisons / decision framing (main takeaways)

• Best budget/value: A16 iPad ($349)
• Best portable/reading/handheld: iPad mini ($499)
• Best default for most people: iPad Air ($599 for 11”)
• Best for pro creators and max display smoothness: iPad Pro ($999+, 120Hz + tandem OLED)

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Unique points list (all distinct claims mentioned about the iPads)

• A16 iPad: A16 chip; 11-inch; 60Hz acceptable; light gaming (Fruit Ninja); good for kids; keyboard case + USB‑C Pencil 1 support mentioned; $349 value; ~90–95% of iPad Pro value claim.
• iPad mini: A17 Pro chip; 8.3-inch 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD; efficient battery/standby (1–2% standby); supports Apple Pencil Pro; best for reading (red mode comfort); supports “infinite notes”/meeting use; great gaming; claims 5-year longevity; $499; not for heavy productivity.
• iPad Air: M4 chip; 11-inch recommended over 13-inch for everyday handling; 60Hz only; extremely bright and vibrant; good for streaming (supports 60fps); excellent battery (2–3 days if primary; ~7 days otherwise); no overheating; iOS limits some creative workflows; $599 (11) / $799 (13).
• iPad Pro: tandem OLED screen with deep blacks; 120Hz smoothness; premium build; Magic Keyboard makes it feel like a computer; best for creators who earn from their work; Lightroom/p photography/videography praised; M5 chip noted; only downside is price; $999 (11) / $1299 (13).

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Speakers/views

• Single main narrator is present throughout; no separate speaker perspectives are clearly identified in the subtitles.

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Verdict / recommendation

• If you want the simplest “buy this” choice for most users: iPad Air (11-inch).
• If you’re budget-focused: A16 iPad.
• If you want the best handheld/reading experience: iPad mini.
• Only pick the iPad Pro if you’re doing serious professional creative work and can justify the high cost.