Apple now has released a total of 33 different iPads, and it's getting harder to keep them straight. So this user tip is aimed at maintaining a list divided by sub line, that includes screen size, CPU, release year, charge port type, Apple Pencil model it is compatible with if any, discontinuation date and iOS / iPad OS versions they can run now.
Official Name | Generation | Screen Size | CPU | Release Date | Latest iOS/iPadOS version | Port Type | Pencil Compatibility | Status
"Regular" iPad (not mini, air or pro)
iPad | First | 9.7" | A4 | 2010 | 5.1.5 | 30 Pin Dock | None | Discontinued March 2011
iPad 2 | Second | 9.7" | A5 | 2011 | 9.3.5/9.3.6(CDMA) | 30 Pin Dock | None | Discontinued March 2014
iPad | Third | 9.7" | A5X | 2012 | 9.3.5/9.3.6(CDMA) | 30 Pin Dock | None | Discontinued October 2012
iPad with Retina display | Fourth | 9.7" | A6X | 2012 | 10.3.3/10.3.4(Cellular) | Lightning | None | Discontinued October 2014
iPad | Fifth | 9.7" | A9 | 2017 | 16.7.7 | Lightning | None | Discontinued March 2018
iPad | Sixth | 9.7" | A10 | 2018 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued September 2019
iPad | Seventh | 10.2" | A10 | 2019 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued September 2020
iPad | Eighth | 10.2" | A12 | 2020 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued September 2021
iPad | Ninth | 10.2" | A13 | 2021 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Currently Sold
iPad | Tenth| 10.9 | A14 Bionic | 2022 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil via an adapter / New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Currently Sold
iPad Mini
iPad Mini | First | 7.9" | A5 | 2012 | 9.3.5/9.3.6(CDMA) | Lightning | None | Discontinued June 2015
iPad Mini 2 | Second | 7.9" | A7 | 2013 | 12.5.7 | Lightning | None | Discontinued March 2017
iPad Mini 3 | Third | 7.9" | A7 | 2014 | 12.5.7 | Lightning | None | Discontinued September 2015
iPad Mini 4 | Fourth | 7.9" | A8 | 2015 | 15.8.2 | Lightning | None | Discontinued March 2019
iPad Mini | Fifth | 7.9" | A12 | 2019 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued September 2021
iPad Mini | Sixth | 8.3" | A15 | 2021 | 17.4.1 | USB-C | Second Generation Apple Pencil / New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Currently Sold
iPad Air
iPad Air | First | 9.7" | A7 | 2013 | 12.5.7 | 30 Pin Dock | None | Discontinued March 2016
iPad Air 2 | Second | 9.7" | A8X | 2014 | 15.8.2 | Lightning | None | First Generation Apple Pencil |Discontinued March 2017
iPad Air | Third | 10.5" | A12 | 2019 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued September 2020
iPad Air | Fourth | 10.9" | A14 | 2020| 17.4.1 | USB-C | Second Generation Apple Pencil / New Apple Pencil (USB-C) Discontinued March 2022
iPad Air | Fifth | 10.9" | M1 | 2022 | 17.4.1 | USB-C | Second Generation Apple Pencil / New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Currently Sold
iPad Pro
iPad Pro 12.9" | First | 12.9" | A9X | 2015 | 16.7.7 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued June 2017
iPad Pro 12.9" | Second | 12.9" | A10X | 2017 | 17..1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued November 2018
iPad Pro 12.9" | Third | 12.9" | A12X | 2018 | 17.4.1 | USB-C | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued March 2020
iPad Pro 12.9" | Fourth| 12.9"| A12Z| 2020| 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued April 2021
iPad Pro 12.9" | Fifth| 12.9"| M1 | 2021| 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued October 2022
iPad Pro 12.9" | Sixth | 12.9" | M2 | 2022| 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Currently Sold
iPad Pro 9.7" | First / Only | 9.7" | A9X | 2016 | 16.7.7 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued June 2017
iPad Pro 10.5" | First / Only | 10.5" | A10X | 2017 | 17.4.1 | Lightning | First Generation Apple Pencil | Discontinued November 2018
iPad Pro 11" | First | 11" | A12X | 2018 | 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued March 2020
iPad Pro 11" | Second | 11" | A12Z | 2020 | 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued April 2021
iPad Pro 11" | Third | 11" | M1 | 2021 | 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Discontinued October 2022
iPad Pro 11" | Fourth | 11| M2 | 2022 | 17.4.1 | Second Generation Apple Pencil \ New Apple Pencil (USB-C) Currently sold
*Latest updates: iPadOS 17.4.1, iPadOS 16.7.7, iPadOS 15.8.2
Useful Links:
Apple security updates - Apple Support
About iPadOS 17 Updates - Apple Support
About iPadOS 16 Updates - Apple Support
About iPadOS 15 Updates - Apple Support
iPadOS 17.4.1 addresses 2 security issues: About the security content of iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 - Apple Support
iPadOS 16.7.7 addresses 2 security issues: About the security content of iOS 16.7.7 and iPadOS 16.7.7 - Apple Support
iPadOS 15.8.2 fixes several vulnerabilities: Link coming soon
iPadOS 17 was revealed on June 5th 2023 at the WWDC conference. It supports iPad Pros 12.9" Second Generation and later as well as the 10.5" iPad Pro and the 11" iPad Pro First Generation and later, although the support section at iPadOS 17 - Apple is not very clear about this. The rest of the iPad support is below and clear.
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iPadOS 17 was released on September 18th 2023.
