Which iPad should I buy? A model and price guide

The iPad guide you didn’t know you needed

At Back Market, we’ve created the definitive model guide, with all the information that will interest you to make the best possible purchase decision. A big part of your decision would normally come down to price (or rather its usual price). However, since we are the best in the industry when it comes to refurbished, you can actually make a decision where price isn’t the overarching factor, and you can start to compare specs side-by-side to know which one you truly need.

You’ll hardly notice any difference in appearance between a refurbished iPad and a new one. Some look like they just came out of the factory and others may just have minor scratches, but overall it won’t limit your user experience at all. And fortunately, due to the nature of our business, it is not only a smart and ethical way to shop, but also the cheapest.

How iPads are classified

As mentioned earlier, there are actually four different versions of the iPad, each one with different characteristics and, therefore, focused on a specific type of user:

• Original iPad or simply iPad: it is the standard version, although it is not “standard” by any means. Even the most basic version of the Apple tablet is extraordinary.

• iPad Mini: the smallest version of the bunch, designed to be held in one hand and brought everywhere you go.

• iPad Air: by far the lightest version, with the thinnest dimensions to match. Designed to serve those that want to travel light but without compromise on the screen size.

• iPad Pro: As its name suggests, it is intended for users with high performance demands, so it is the most powerful of the lot.

Also, there are variations within each version. The first, in terms of device connectivity: some are only Wi-Fi compatible and others come equipped with mobile network connectivity to surf the web anytime, anywhere, as they have a SIM card slot.

The second variation is the internal storage capacity. And this is a fundamental aspect, since you already know that Apple products cannot expand their memory using an SD card. They are generally available in several different capacities, including 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, although this detail may change with each new model.

And of course, an obvious variation is the color: although the first fleet of iPads were mostly silver or gray, white was later introduced and for a long time they have also been available in black, gold, rose gold and even more daring colors such as sky blue and green.

Below we’ve reviewed all the versions that are available on the Back Market website, where all iPads on sale have been fully repaired, tested and certified refurbished, plus attached with a 24-month warranty for an added peace of mind.

Introducing the standard iPad

The iPad revolutionized the world of electronics and, although it has seen the new competitors come in with their own version to try and usurp it, the iPad is still a crowd favorite thanks to its continuous cycle of ground-breaking innovations. At the time of writing this, Back Market's earliest model available is the fifth generation.

iPad model specs, launch price and refurbished prices

*Prices found on www.backmarket.com/en-us as of July 2024 - subject to change

What is an iPad mini?

The iPad mini Series was introduced as the little brother of the iPad family, with a smaller screen, but with the same features as its older brother. Therefore, it is ideal for those who prefer to hold the device with one hand and do not mind consuming content on a smaller screen.

iPad mini model specs, launch price and refurbished prices

*Prices found on www.backmarket.com/en-us as of July 2024 - subject to change

Light as iPad Air

Lightness - that is the main feature of the iPad Air, which is thinner than the rest of the versions. For example, between the iPad 4 and the iPad Air 1, both released in 2013, the difference was clear: 9.4 mm thick for the iPad 4 and 7.5 mm for the iPad Air 1. And each iteration of the iPad Air keeps improving to become lighter and lighter, without sacrificing too much of the performance.

iPad Air model specs, launch price and refurbished prices

*Prices found on www.backmarket.com/en-us as of July 2024 - subject to change

More power with the iPad Pro

With this last name, the iPad Pro needs no introduction: it is the most powerful and most advanced, both in terms of processor and screen. In addition to this, Apple delivered two options to choose from: one with the same dimensions as the standard iPad and a larger one, with several extra inches.

iPad Pro model specs, launch price and refurbished prices

*Prices found on www.backmarket.com/en-us as of July 2024 - subject to change

The iPad stat that fills us with pride: the grams of waste saved

At Back Market, there is a stat that makes us more proud than the prices: the amount of grams of electronic waste that we helped save the planet from (together). A refurbished iPad is an iPad that doesn't end up in the trash or, worse yet, in some landfill, which has an adverse impact on nature that lasts hundreds of years.

Grams of e-waste Back Market has saved by iPad model

• iPad 2: 607g

• iPad 3: 652g

• iPad 4: 652g

• iPad 5: 469g

• iPad 6: 469g

• iPad 7: 483g

• iPad Mini: 312g

• iPad Mini 2: 331g

• iPad Mini 3: 341g

• iPad Mini 4: 299g

• iPad Mini 5: 308g

• iPad Air: 469g

• iPad Air 2: 437g

• iPad Air 3: 456g

• iPad Pro: 437g / 713g

• iPad Pro 2: 469g / 677g

• iPad Pro 3: 468g / 631g

As you can see, gram by gram and grain by grain... we avoid mountains of e-waste on the planet. Rest assured that all sellers listed on Back Market are officially certified and only sell devices which have a lot of life ahead of them. We hope the information above has helped clarify what iPad you should buy.