The beginning of September last year didn’t just see the announcement of new iPhones and Apple Watch models, it also saw Instagram finally reveal a native version of its app for iPad.

It took 15 years to arrive – Instagram launched as a platform in 2010, six months after the first iPad arrived in stores – but when the app did finally land in September 2025, it was surprisingly different to the iPhone version – its layout, anyway.

Instead, Instagram opted for a controversial Reels-first approach, opening up straight onto the short videos rather than photo posts like you got on iPhone.

At the time, the announcement post read: “With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment.

"Now, when you open the app, you’ll drop into Reels, so you can get the entertaining content you love on a bigger screen. You’ll also see Stories at the top, so you can easily connect with the people that matter to you, and messaging is one tap away.”

The Instagram iPad app now looks like what we wanted all along

Six months on though, and that’s changed.

A new update to the Instagram app on iPad sees three main changes and we are thrilled. First, the Home tab works in a similar way to iPhone, presenting a feed of posts from people you follow, along with suggested posts you might like.

Secondly, Reels have been pushed into a separate navigation tab, just like you’ll see on iPhone.

And now, the "Following" tab has disappeared from the iPad app altogether, resulting in a very similar basic layout and design to what you get on iPhone, but with the advantage of the larger display.

The update to the Instagram app on iPad has rolled out globally, so if you’re still seeing the older layout, head to the App Store on iPad and search for Instagram.

You should then be able to force the update to the latest design by tapping "Update".

The iPad Air is in many ways the Goldilocks of tablets. It’s big but lightweight, fast but still affordable. It sits just below the iPad Pro, which now features the M5 chip and above the iPad mini, which runs the A17 Pro chip, and the standard iPad A16, which sits as the budget option.

Its price is identical to the MacBook Neo and the iPhone 17e, which gives users either an interesting choice for their money or the potential of two products for the price they might normally spend on one. Of the three, the iPad Air is the most powerful and arguably the most adaptable.

Thanks to the M4 chip, the iPad Air is powerful enough for all your computing tasks, and paired with a Magic Keyboard, it could replace your laptop. With an Apple Pencil, or even just your finger, it becomes the perfect creative tool for designers, sketchers or just those looking to take notes. It’s also perfect for watching movies, playing games or just browsing pages, wherever you are.

While changes from last year’s iPad Air M3 are minimal outside of the new M4 chip, those upgrading from older machines will see a huge boost in performance, especially when it comes to graphics and AI tasks. I spent a few weeks using the iPad Air M4, and I believe this is the best iPad for most people.

How much is the iPad Air M4?

The iPad Air M4 was announced on 2 March 2026 and went on sale on 11 March 2026. It comes in two sizes, with the smaller 11-inch model starting from £599 in the UK, $599 in the US, €649 in Europe and A$999 in Australia. The larger 13-inch model starts from £799 in the UK, $799 in the US, €849 in Europe and A$1349 in Australia.

Both sizes come in four colours, including space grey, blue, purple and starlight. There is a choice of four storage options from 128GB up to 1TB, and also between the Wi-Fi-only and the Cellular model, which adds the ability to use data from an eSIM.

Even with all options chosen on the larger 13-inch model, the maximum price is £1449 / $1449 (€1649 / A$2499), which is the same price as the MacBook Air 15-inch with the same storage. If you do want to get the most out of the iPad Air, you will want to add either the Apple Pencil Pro (£129 / $299) or the Magic Keyboard (from £269 / $269) – ideally both. Even with these, the price starts from under £1000 / $1000.

What’s new on the iPad Air M4?

Physically, there’s no change in the design of the iPad Air from the M3 model. It still features either an 11 or 13-inch liquid retina display, with P3 wide colour, true tone and an anti-reflective coating. It still has a centre-mounted 12MP Centre Stage camera on the longer edge and uses Touch ID for authorisation on the top button.

Small discrete volume up and down buttons still sit on the top right of the longer edge, and on the bottom is still a USB-C port for charging and a smart connector on the back for keyboard connectivity. Also on the back is a single 12MP wide-angle camera that can shoot 4K video.

It always surprises me how large the bezels still are on the latest iPad models, compared to the iPhone and MacBooks, and that’s still the case here. The only advantage of this is that it doesn’t require a notch to house the camera and light sensors.

One thing you’ll notice when holding the iPad Air is just how light it is. Even the larger 13-inch model weighs just 617 grams (1.36lbs). Unexpectedly, though, it’s heavier than the iPad Pro equivalent, which weighs 35g less than the 13-inch or 19g less than the 11-inch.

It’s also 1mm (0.04 inches) thicker than the iPad Pro, not that you’d really notice that when holding it. This size and weight likely come down to the screen tech on the devices, and it is minimal in practice. It perhaps says more about the iPad Pro’s advancements than anything against the iPad Air.

There’s only really one feature missing from the iPad Air, in my opinion, and that’s Face ID. Having had this on the iPad Pro for some time, and taking it for granted on all iPhones – even the iPhone 17e – it seems strange to revert back to Touch ID here. The same could be said for MacBooks, but as a device that sits halfway between a Mac and an iPhone, it makes sense to come here first.

Inside the iPad, the biggest change is the M4 chip, but there’s also two more new features. The N1 is Apple’s own wireless connectivity chip, and takes care of all Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as Bluetooth and Thread. It ups the standards to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for this model, giving you faster and more reliable connections.

The C1X chip is Apple’s cellular modem, and therefore only features on the cellular version of the iPad Air. This is also upgraded from the previous C1 chip, giving 50% faster cellular performance compared to the iPad Air M3.

iPad Air display

While the iPad Air doesn’t have the tandem OLED display of the iPad Pro, the Liquid Retina screen looks really impressive. I was testing the larger 13-inch model, which has 600 nits of brightness, while the smaller 11-inch model has just 500 nits. Both feature a True Tone display with P3 wide colour and have the same resolution density (264ppi). The display is also fully laminated with an anti-reflective coating.

What you don’t get on the Air is the nano-texture glass option, which gives a matte effect to the screen and extra-low reflections. Again, this feels a bit of a shame, as it makes the tablet more suited for creative stylus work and becomes an alternative to the Kindle Scribe Colourfast or ReMarkable Colour tablet.

It’s also worth noting that the iPad air display doesn’t feature ProMotion, meaning the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz rather than 120Hz. This is only really noticable with fast movement, such as gaming and video editing, though you can see the difference when scrolling fast through web pages too.

That said, I was really impressed how good content looked on the iPad Air M4. Colours really pop in photos and video, and even make ordinary websites stand out. Using the device on the move, including on trains and planes, I watched episodes of Disney+’s Daredevil Born Again and Apple TV’s new series of For All ManKind. I also played Civilization VII from Apple Arcade.

With the graphics and resolution set to their maximum on games and movies, the quality is very high, giving you crisp clear images with tons of detail, even in shadows. Watching shows on a 13-inch screen feels quite a luxury while travelling, compared to the 11-inch model I tend to travel with. It definitely gives you more impact.

It’s also worth noting that the sound from this iPad is very good. While it only uses stereo speakers, rather than the four-speaker system of the iPad Pro, there’s plenty of bass and it sounds good for both video and audio tracks.

Accessories for the iPad Air

There are two main accessories you will want to consider for the iPad Air. The Magic Keyboard is ideal if you want to use the Air for any form of writing. It turns the tablet into a very capable laptop, complete with a trackpad. While I didn’t use the Magic Keyboard on this test, I have previously used it with both the iPad Pro M5 and the iPad Air M3 and would highly recommend it. With this attached, the iPad Air becomes a worthy competitor to the MacBook Neo, and even the MacBook Air.

The second accessory I would recommend for the iPad Air is the Apple Pencil. This model is compatible with both the top-of-the-range Apple Pencil Pro as well as the more basic Apple Pencil USB-C. There are definitely creative benefits to the Apple Pencil Pro, including the barrel roll, to change the angle of your brush and a squeeze function to bring up the tool palette and haptic feedback. However, perhaps the most useful is that it will charge wirelessly when attached to the side of the iPad magnetically. For the USB-C model, you have to plug the stylus in.

Even if you don’t need the keyboard or stylus, it’s worth investing in a folio cover for the iPad Air. This protects the screen when not in use – essential if placing it into a bag – and also provides a stand for the device when in use. As nice as it is to use the iPad without any attachments, you do run the risk of accidental damage and tired hands from holding it.

How does it perform?

The iPad Air M4 might look the same as the older version on the outside, but under the surface, it’s very different. That is mostly down to the new M4 chip inside it, as well as the N1 wireless chip and C1X cellular modem.

The M4 chip in the iPad Air features an 8-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 5 efficiency cores, and a 9-core GPU. It also features a 16-core neural engine and hardware-accelerated ray tracing. This is a slightly less powerful chip than the one featured in last year’s iPad Pro models and MacBook models. The MacBook Air M4 featured a 10-core CPU, while the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro both ran 10-core CPUs and 10-core GPUs.

There is a step up in performance from the M3 chip, and if you push the device with processor-heavy tasks, such as video processing and editing, you will see improvements in speed. Equally, the graphics processor means it is more capable for everything from 3D imaging to AAA gaming.

For general use, the improvements are likely to be more subtle, unless you are upgrading from an older iPad. Compared to an M1 model, it offers 45% faster CPU performance and 65% faster GPU performance. If you are accessing AI features, the performance is three times faster.

To get some comparison, I ran the Geekbench 6 test for the CPU and the GPU. The iPad M4 produced a multi-core score of 13,230, which was 13.9% higher than the M3, or a single-core score of 3722, which is 21.9% higher. That’s quite a jump for one generation of chip, and shows just how much faster it can run. The M5 is another 11% to 17% higher again, but as to whether you really need that speed is questionable for most.

Equally on the graphics processor test, the iPad Air M4 scored 53,327 in the Metal test, which is a 16% increase on the M3 chip. The ray tracing allows for faster rending of 3D modelling, which helps not only for designers, but also for gamers.

While the chip is running faster, the battery life remains the same for the M4 model. It still offers a 10-hour runtime for watching video or surfing the web using Wi-Fi. If using a cellular connection, that reduces to nine hours, due to the modem use. Battery life is one area where MacBooks – with their space for a larger battery – beat iPads. Even the MacBook Neo can give you up to 11 hours of Wi-Fi use, or 16 hours of streaming.

Should I buy the iPad Air?

The iPad Air M4 is a seriously powerful tablet that combines a great screen with top performance. It strikes a nice balance between power and price that makes this an appealing option for anyone wanting a tablet capable of laptop tasks.

While the iPad Pro is a considerable jump up in both screen and power, the Air does more than enough for the majority of users. Arguably the standard iPad and iPad mini would also be plenty for most users, but the Air offers the larger screens without increasing the weight.

Apple is adamant that there is no canibalisation between the iPad and the MacBook, and while they do fulfil different tasks, I think some users will still be picking between the iPad Air and the MacBook Neo – especially as they are the same price.

In many ways, the Neo has carved out its own market, but that also includes those who were looking to buy an iPad in place of a cheaper laptop. Using an iPad in place of a laptop still requires some compromise, not least dealing with the limitations of iPadOS for those tasks – though this has improved and I suspect it will further with iPadOS 27.

The iPad Air, however does offer a few clear advantages over the Neo. It has a touchscreen display for starters, which opens up the potential, not just for touch control, but for full stylus creativity with an Apple Pencil – something not even the MacBook Pro can do. It also offers a more powerful processor in the M4. While the A17 Pro has proved more capable in a laptop than many imagined, there’s no disputing that the M4 is one of the best there is (apart from the M5 and the various Pro, Max and Ultra versions).

So while the iPad Air might no longer be the go-to device for users looking for a cheaper alternative to the MacBook Air, it is the best hybrid solution for the money. It’s a lot of tablet for the price, and this update will ensure it stays on top.

Also consider

As the iPad Air offers both 11-inch and 13-inch models, it covers a lot of ground, but there are always other options, especially within the Apple ecosystem. For those considering the smaller 11-inch model and not requiring the M4 firepower, the iPad (A17) offers the same screen size but with a more basic spec, while saving you nearly 50% of the price.

For those considering the 13-inch model, the MacBook Neo now offers one of the most compelling alternatives, at least for those looking for day-to-day tasks. While it doesn’t have the same level of power or the touchscreen, it’s a considerably cheaper option once you factor in the keyboard.

If, of course, the touchscreen and stylus capabilities are paramount and you want this as a creative tool, it’s the iPad Pro that offers the ultimate experience. While costing considerably more (by at least £400 / $400), it has a marked improvement in screen quality, a faster chip and is both thinner and lighter.

It has already been a busy month for the good folks at Apple. We saw a suite of product launches a few weeks ago, including the new MacBook Neo and the iPhone 17e, which offered more affordable options for those less concerned with top specs.

Some were suggesting that a similar ethos could come to the iPad lineup, with the launch of a new base model device there. That didn't happen – but fresh reports from Mark Gurman suggest it isn't too far away.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says, "Since last year, Apple had been on track to launch a refreshed version of the entry-level iPad in the first half of 2026. The product has long been on the road map for a release in the iOS 26.4 time frame, which runs until May."

That suggests that we could still see a new version of the entry-level iPad, which would be a welcome boost for cost-conscious Apple lovers. As Gurman also notes, the major expected change is a new A18 chip, replacing the older A16 in the current iPad (11th Generation).

Notably, that change would enable the support of Apple Intelligence features, which would be marketed as quite the coup for such a budget device. Whether or not that's really adding value will depend on your perception of the software, but it's certainly opening the door to something which cannot currently be used.

It will also offer improved performance and efficiency, which is generally pretty handy for everyday use. With just a few weeks left until May is upon us, we shouldn't have to wait too long for more details.

While it's unlikely to be a ground-breaking release from the brand, it's probably quite a sensible one in terms of keeping its portfolio up to date.

If you thought the new iPad Air (M4) was the only exciting thing to happen in the world of tablets this month, then you thought wrong. Sure, the new iPad Air brings a bump in performance, extra memory and new connectivity upgrades, but there’s a new stand hub that could be the best accessory to accompany it.

The stand hub is named as such because it not only acts a stand for iPad, Android tablets or Windows tablets, but it has a hub at the bottom, giving you what is effectively a two-in-one accessory, and more really.

Made by Satechi and spotted by Yanko Design, the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub claims to offer "every port you need on the go".

The base has a 3.5mm audio jack on the right edge, and a microSD 4.0 reader and SD 4.0 reader on the left edge. At the back, you’ll find a USB-C data port, USB-C PD port, USB-A data port and an HDMI 2.0 port.

The USB-C and USB-A data ports deliver 10 Gbps on supported devices, while the HDMI port supports 4K@60Hz for tablets, laptops, and smartphones. The other USB-C port, meanwhile, allows 100W pass-through to keep your tablet charged during any marathon work or watching sessions you plan to take part in.

Even as a hub alone, the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub would be a valuable accessory to your iPad or Android tablet, but as its name suggests, there is also a stand built into it.

This can be folded up to rest your tablet against and folded back down flat when you’re finished. It means you can snap the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub shut when work is over for the day, pop it in your bag and be on your merry way.

The OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub works with a range of USB-C devices too, including iPads with USB-C, tablets, smartphones, laptops with USB-C, gaming consoles and Samsung DeX-supported devices.

It comes in black only, or Space Black as it is officially called, and it costs $79.99 (around £60).

There has been plenty of speculation about a folding iPhone, which many expect to launch later this year, but there is also word that Apple continues to work on a larger foldable device.

The iPad and Mac are currently quite separate devices, running different software and form factors, but according to a new report, the “gigantic” foldable could blur the lines between the two ranges, and arrive in the next few years.

What could Apple's larger folding device be?

This comes from Apple expert Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter (via MacRumors) and suggests that while there were rumours claiming the large folding device had been paused, that’s not actually the case.

Gurman believes that problems with weight and display technology could see it being pushed back to 2029, rather than follow the initial rumoured timeline of 2028, but it is still in the works, he says.

Rumours suggest it will have an 18-inch folding display, which is said to be made by Samsung, and it is thought that Apple is focusing on reducing the crease visibility, which it has been rumoured to be doing for the iPhone Fold, too.

It’s thought it will look like a MacBook when closed, featuring an aluminium shell, but when open it will be around the same size as the MacBook Air 13-inch. There won't be a physical keyboard, though.

Current prototypes are said to weigh around 1.59kg, which is quite a bit heavier than the current 13-inch iPad Pro.

It is also expected to be significantly more expensive than the iPad Pro, with reports suggesting this foldable iPad, or all-display MacBook, will cost nearly $4,000 if components don’t reduce in the next couple of years. If true, it means this folding iPad could be nearly three times the price of the iPad Pro.

Nothing is confirmed on the folding iPad front for now, but Apple has announced a new iPad Air running on the M4 chip.

Recently, Apple announced that it was set to hold an experience day in three cities around the world. There's no word on exactly what was to launch there, but given the flurry of rumours in recent weeks and months, we could offer a few educated guesses.

The successor to the iPhone 16e should be here soon, for example, as well as a band of new MacBook Pro models. Now, a new report suggests that the event could be the culmination of a few days of press releases, with no actual livestreamed keynote.

It was suggested by John Gruber, in a post on Daring Fireball yesterday. Gruber is a prominent voice in the world of Apple, and posits this suggestion based on experience with how Apple usually does business.

In the post, he says, "What strikes me is that March 4 — the “experience” day — is a Wednesday. So my spitball guess is that they announce all these products via Newsroom press releases, day-by-day.

"Then the “experience” will be a hands-on thing with in-person demos. Spread the announcements out across a few days, but then have in-person events for members of the media to get a hands-on experience with all of them, station-by-station, without needing to produce an Apple Event keynote film."

If Gruber's theory proves true, I think I can see why. Recently, brand CEO, Tim Cook, spoke about the upcoming 50th anniversary of Apple, and confirmed that – while he couldn't share details – there would be some kind of celebration.

Now, I would have put money on that being something more low-key, and the brand flooding its usual resources into new product releases. But perhaps I've got that wrong. Instead, the brand could offer a handful of new products, and then put on a major production to celebrate its birthday.

Whatever happens, it seems likely to be an exciting few months for the Cupertino-based brand.

There have been a couple of rumours lately to suggest Apple is on the verge of a few new announcements. Last week, we heard plenty about new MacBook Pro models being just around the corner, with references of M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips appearing in the iOS 26.3 beta software. While this week, all eyes are on the iPad.

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg (via 9to5Mac), we can expect a new regular iPad and iPad Air early this year. Gurman claims both will see a performance increase compared to the current models, though that seems to be it.

What can we expect from the next iPads?

The regular iPad currently runs on the A16 processor, which means it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence – that requires the A17 Pro or later, like the iPad mini.

Gurman says the next model of this standard iPad will see a jump to the A18 processor, therefore, which will bring Apple Intelligence powers with it.

There was a time when that might not have mattered too much, but with the smarter Siri due to arrive with iOS 26.4, it could bring some worthwhile tricks to the base model.

Elsewhere, the iPad Air is expected to see a jump to the M4 processor, with the currently model running on the M3 at the moment. The iPad Pro sits on the more powerful M5, so it makes sense.

This may not make a huge difference to casual users, but the extra power could come in handy for those looking to do more demanding tasks, like image or video editing.

But based on Gurman’s report, there isn’t due to be a redesign for either the standard iPad or the iPad Air. That means there'll be no laminated display for the regular model or Face ID for the Air at the moment, although nothing is official as yet.

As to when we can expect these devices to launch, nothing is concrete. However, Apple announced the iPad (A16) and iPad Air (M3) in the middle of Mobile World Congress last year, and that starts at the beginning of March – so soon.

Apple Creator Studio is more of a collection of apps than one single offering. It puts its biggest applications for video, audio and photo editing into a single monthly or yearly subscription to put all the tools at your disposal.

There have always been both pro and amateur solutions for creative work. For video, iMovie provides a free solution while Final Cut Pro caters for the pro, and for audio, GarageBand is the consumer option while Logic Pro is more advanced. For most users, the free options are more than adequate, with editing now built into the Photos app and the office suite of Keynote, Pages and Numbers providing your presentation, word processing and spreadsheet options.

The Creator Studio, then, is for professionals, or at least those wanting professional results. It combines Final Cut Pro, one of the best video editing options available, with Logic Pro, a leading audio recording, editing, and mixing suite. Pixelmator Pro is an image editor that combines photo manipulation with graphic design and illustration, as an enhanced version of the free Pixelmator Classic. There are also versions of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers included in the package that offer more premium features than the free versions.

The subscription is designed for both Mac and iPad use, with all applications available for both platforms. Also included are three Mac-only apps: Motion lets you generate animation, Compressor provides output options for your videos, and Main Stage is designed for live music performances.

With such a comprehensive offering, it’s no surprise that it has garnered comparisons to Adobe’s Creative Suite. This also offers video, audio and photo editing, plus web and design tools in a more à la carte form. Premiere, Audition and Photoshop are largely equivalent to Apple’s offerings, though aside from Acrobat, Adobe doesn’t cover office products in the same way.

I spent a week trying out the new features both on iPad and on Mac to see how it performs. These were the five features that really stood out.

1. Beat detection in Final Cut Pro

Whatever video you’re creating, a soundtrack can really add to the effect, and a good editor always takes the music into account when cutting clips. When a scene changes on the beat, or you get a quick succession of clips that match that beat, it really lifts the video. What Final Cut Pro now offers is a way to make this process easier.

This isn’t a completely automated process, as you might expect, but it does take the hard work out of the edit. With your clips on the timeline and the soundtrack below it, selecting beat detection analyses the track and places markers on the timeline for the beat. You can then very quickly adjust the length of your clips, or slice up longer clips, to switch on those beat markers. The result is very effective.

2. Generative session players in Logic Pro

There are some newer tools in this version of Logic Pro, including the ability to import a video in order to create your own soundtrack, which is very cool. However, my favourite feature here remains the generative session players, which were introduced in version 11 last year.

This all starts with a chord track, which Logic Pro can generate from your first recording – whether that’s a guitar track, piano or other instrument. You can then fine-tune the chord track if needed to make sure it matches your intent. Then by adding a new track, you can introduce a session player, in the form of a drummer, bassist or piano player. This will follow your chord structure, tempo and time signature to create the relevant notes to play along.

It’s a very quick way to build up a full recording from a single track, and allows you to get a really professional finish in minutes.

3. Mock-ups in Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro is quite different from straight photo editors, as it feels more like a publishing tool. Yes, there are all the photo editing capabilities, but its strengths lie in creating pieces that are either ready for print, for online or for presentation.

Because of this, Pixelmator makes it really quick to create posters and social media posts, thanks to the included templates. One of the most interesting options though, is what it calls mock-ups. This is an easy way to display your created photo or graphics on a range of products.

The layers are already set up in such a way that, once you select your mock-up picture, you can just replace a layer with your creation in a single click, and then adjust the sizing to make it look how you want it. Mock-ups include t-shirts and bags, device screens, bottles, mugs and other product packaging, book covers, magazine covers and more.

4. Enhanced slideshow creations in Keynote

One of the biggest upgrades to the versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote in Creator Studio is the Premium templates. These not only look great, but they also come with an option to generate your slides using what it calls Intelligent Content Creation.

This allows you to add the title and key points for the presentation, like speech notes. It then uses AI to summarise these into a number of slides and lays them out for you. You still need to then go in and adjust, as well as add images, but it’s a quick way to get started.

5. Content Hub for Pages

Another feature shared across Pages, Keynote and Sheets is the new Content Hub. This gives you access to royalty-free stock images, which can be used in your presentation, report, newsletter or whatever it is you’re creating. There are terms for image use of course. You can’t use them for corporate logos or trademark items, or use them on their own, outside of the program. However, they are still valid for commercial use in whatever you create – so you could use an image as part of a book cover.

Should I buy it?

The Creator Studio is available now from the App Store for iPad and Mac, priced £12.99 / $12.99 per month or £129 / $129 per year. Considering the price of the Adobe offerings and the individual prices of the included apps here, this is extremely good value for money. It’s also good to see that you can still buy the individual applications if you only want one of them.

Creating separate premium versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote does feel a bit strange, though. These feel like a different offering to the main editing apps here (Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator Pro). It’s a shame if the free versions of these don’t benefit from at least the AI generation tools.

There’s also a lack of a dedicated photo app here. While Pixelmator Pro is competent for editing, it needs an equivalent of Adobe Lightroom for the professional photographer. Apple used to offer Aperture, which was an excellent photo tool, and the Photomator tool has been a popular replacement. It would be great to see a Photomator Pro added to this package in the future.

We don't have long to go before the Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales are over, but there's still enough time left to snag a bargain on a device or two – including iPads.

Apple itself is offering its traditional vouchers with purchases made before the end of play tomorrow (1 December 2025), but several other retailers are also offering iPad models – including the latest iPad Pro M5 – with big discounts.

So check out the ones we've found below. But remember, you'll need to be quick if you don't want to miss out.

Best places to find iPad deals

• Apple: get an Apple gift card worth up to £80 with eligible iPad purchases
• Amazon: get more than £100 off an iPad Air
• Argos: has a wide selection of iPads on offer
• Currys: also get up to £100 off select iPads
• John Lewis: you can find deals across the iPad range, including iPad Pro
• Very: iPad mini is amongst the devices available in deals here

Best UK Cyber Monday iPad deals

There are also deals on Apple iPad accessories, including the Apple Pencil (USB-C).

Amazon currently lists it at £59 as part of its Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. That's down from the usual £79 price point.

You can also check out all the amazing iPhone deals for Cyber Monday in our regularly updated round-up.

The next generation of the flagship iPad could be set to enjoy a substantial internal upgrade. That's according to a new report from Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter.

That suggests that the next-gen M6 iPad Pro will incorporate a vapour chamber for cooling. Such a move would improve performance and efficiency, which has long been a big focus for the brand.

The news comes as the brand debuted its vapour chamber cooling technology on the iPhone 17 Pro models this year. That may well have been a first from the Californian outfit, though it doesn't look like the last iteration of the technology.

The brand has already employed some new cooling technologies on other versions of the iPad Pro. The M4 variant already packed in a copper heatsink, and it looks as though the next model will take that even further.

According to Gurman's report, the technology is on the roadmap, though it won't be arriving anytime soon. Given that the most recent M5 iPad Pro was only unveiled last week – and those models are currently on an 18-month cycle – we're anticipating this technology hitting the market around spring of 2027.

It's going to be a long wait for those who are eager to see the new technology implemented, then. That demographic is likely to include gamers and those who use the iPad for power-intensive tasks like music production and video editing.

For those endeavours, the vapour chamber design has a secondary benefit. It should negate the need for a cooling fan, which will ensure the device can be operated noise-free. It's one of the things which drew me to the M1 MacBook Air many years ago, and is something I really couldn't do without at this point, so it's great to see other devices get that treatment.

If, like me, you saw the announcement of Apple's new M5 chips and decided now could finally be the time to upgrade your laptop, it is – but maybe not with the machine you were thinking of.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch now features an M5 chip, making it extremely fast, but it's not the only new offering. The iPad Pro also now comes with an M5 chip, making the already super-powerful tablet that bit better. Could it ever really replace your laptop, though?

Having used this new model for a few days, I really think it can. There's now no part of my daily workflow that I can't do on this machine. Plus, compared to a new MacBook, it's lighter and considerably cheaper. The latest iPadOS 26 makes the experience far more Mac-like, too.

So, if you're considering an upgrade, here are five reasons the iPad Pro is all the machine you need.

1. Touchscreen display

The iPad Pro M5 features a tandem OLED touchscreen display. This uses two layers of OLEDs to provide a brighter image with higher contrast and great colour accuracy. That means 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness, 1000 nits of standard peak brightness and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio – twice that of the MacBook Pro display.

Both the 11-inch (2420-by-1668-pixel) and the 13-inch (2752-by-2064-pixel) models have a 264 pixel per inch resolution and adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz up to 120Hz using ProMotion technology.

There's also the option to feature a nano-texture display on both sizes of iPad Pro with the 1TB or 2TB storage options. This gives a matte finish to the screen, which drastically reduces reflections, making it ideal for creatives working in bright conditions.

2. Operates like a Mac, at last

Thanks to the new iPadOS 26, the iPad Pro has the most Mac-like operating system to date. Using the Stage Manager option, you can have floating windows that you can resize by dragging the bottom corner, and stack on top of each other, rather than having to send background windows to the dock.

Of course, you can turn the Stage Manager function off and fill the screen with your apps. This is perhaps even more useful on the smaller 11-inch model. Or when you don't need to multitask with your windows.

Plus, if you add the Magic Keyboard to the iPad Pro, it looks much like a mini MacBook, with the benefit of a keyboard and trackpad that feels laptop quality to type and navigate on.

3. M5 chip

The M5 chip has has 3.5x the AI performance and 1.5x the 3D rendering speed of the M4. Plus if you compare it to either the M1 or M2 variants the performance increase is even more extreme, from ray tracing to image generation.

Thanks to this, the iPad Pro can zip through just about any task, from image and video editing, professional audio mixing, to AI processing and gaming. This is a professional grade machine, designed for professional level tasks.

4. Apple Pencil turns this into a creative tool

The other advantage of the iPad Pro's touchscreen is that it is compatible with both the Apple Pencil USB-C and the flagship Apple Pencil Pro. Both give potential for drawing, writing and sketching on the iPad, with precision, though the Pencil Pro gives you pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback and barrel roll for calligraphy pen work.

Whether you're using dedicated illustration apps or doodling straight into Notes or Freehand, the Apple Pencil opens up the iPad Pro to creative uses. With the latest Apple Intelligence functionality of iPadOS 26, sketches can be transformed into slick images, handwriting into typed text and mathematical equations solved instantly.

5. Smaller and lighter

Perhaps the best thing about using the iPad Pro for me is how much smaller and lighter it is than carrying a laptop. The 11-inch iPad Pro weighs 444 grams (0.98 lbs), while the larger 13-inch model weighs 579 grams (1.28 lbs). Even if you opt for the cellular version (up to 582g) and add on the Magic Keyboard, it weighs considerably less than the 14-inch MacBook Pro. In fact, even with the case it weighs around the same as a 13-inch MacBook Air.

While Apple may be better known for its iPhone range, the iPad is my favourite product in its catalogue. The large-screen design is a perfect middle ground, offering something big enough to be productive, but without being as cumbersome as a MacBook.

The brand rarely involves itself in deals events like Amazon Prime Day, but I have spotted a killer deal on the base model iPad. Right now, a 14% price cut takes the cost down to just £284 at Amazon!

That's a killer price for a proper iPad, and makes the most cost-effective option on the market even more appealing. That's the sort of money you could spend on a dinner in a big city, and instead, you're getting a piece of tech that will stand the test of time.

Inside, the A16 chip powering things should be more than capable of handling a wide range of tasks. That's the same chip you'd have seen in the iPhone 14 Pro or the iPhone 15, which should give you an idea of just how powerful it is.

Add onto that the 12MP Centre Stage camera, which is designed to keep you in frame for some seriously professional-grade video calling, and an all-day battery life, and this looks like an even more appealing device. Elsewhere you'll find Touch ID and WiFi 6 compatibility, while a 12MP rear-mounted camera allows for some traditional camera action, too. It can even work as a makeshift scanner, which is handy.

Whether you're looking for a larger screen to binge content, something to get work done, or just a general use device to do all manner of things, this is a great option. We might not see it at a price like this again, either, so it's well worth snapping up if you're in the market for a no-frills tablet on a budget.

Apple's iPad is an exceptional tool for a number of things. It's great for watching movies, note taking. and if you're someone with a creative flare, it's fantastic for drawing and editing photos on once you find your flow.

There are a number of apps you can use to take advantage of the latter, such as Adobe Photoshop, which is optimised for the larger display and touchscreen. There's also the likes of the Canva-owned Affinity suite, which if you have ever considered buying but haven't quite taken the leap yet, now is your time.

Should you buy Affinity Photo 2, Publisher 2 and Designer 2?

As spotted by 9to5Google, Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Publisher 2 and Affinity Designer 2 are all currently free on iPad. Previously, you've been able to try them out for a 7-day trial, after which they cost $18.49 (or the local equivalent) per app to buy.

But once downloaded, the purchase price is now $0.00 (or £0.00, for example). You just have to sign up for the 7-day trial, then hit the "Buy Now" button in your account settings.

Unlike some apps, this is a full purchase not just a subscription fee.

It's worth noting however, that while the three apps are currently still available on the App Store for iPad, you can no longer get them on the Mac App Store so it's possible they might vanish soon for iPad too. Affinity is also promoting an event on its website for 30 October, where it's possible a new suite of apps could launch.

The website says: "Creative freedom is coming. Sign up to be the first to know. True creative freedom is just around the corner. 30 October. See the future first."

There's no mention of new apps here, but the wording does suggest they could be on their way.

The timing is also slightly suspicious. Apple hasn't announced an October event yet, but it was only yesterday we wrote about the possibility of new iPad Pro models and new MacBook Pro models launching this month, so there's a chance Affinity is planning to introduce new apps to coincide with those devices.

Still, with Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Publisher 2 and Affinity Designer 2 all free rather than just discounted, do you really have anything to lose by downloading them and giving them a go ahead of any new announcements? In our eyes you don't, but we would advise you do it quickly before they vanish.

When it comes to leaks and rumours in the world of tech, Apple sits as something of an outlier. While many other brands are susceptible to seeing their as-yet-unreleased products paraded around ahead of time, the Cupertino-based brand tends to stay a little tighter, avoiding too many concrete leaks.

But rare doesn't mean never, and earlier today, we reported on a seriously high profile leak from a Russian YouTuber. That showcased the M5 iPad Pro, with an unboxing and some Geekbench testing.

Today, I'm digging a little more into the latter half, as those benchmarks tell us a lot about Apple's next generation of processors. The video shows the M5 iPad Pro tested against the current M4 iPad Pro model of the same size, which is about as controlled a test subject as you could ask for.

First up was the CPU performance. That saw some fairly modest gains – about 10% in single-core and 15% in multi-core – which is certainly welcome, but unlikely to be the kind of thing you'd write home about. It's the sort of generation-on-generation gain we'd come to expect these days.

Once we move into the GPU performance, however, we see a more marked change. There, a boost of around 35% should be much more noticeable in daily use.

It's an upgrade which is especially pertinent for Apple's gaming contingent. The brand has really pushed the envelope there in recent years, in a bid to escape previous stigma's surrounding gaming using its devices.

With the processor expected to make an appearance in the next generation of iPads and MacBooks, there should be ample opportunity for users to get hands on with it. It's also going to be a welcome spot of good news for the range, which had previously been touted as a last iterative update before the M6 processor arrives.

That's said to make use of a 2nm chip architecture, which should make it a seismic shift in terms of efficiency.

While leaks about new technology products are fairly common in this day and age, Apple does tend to be something of an outlier. The Cupertino-based brand runs a tight ship, and has earned itself a reputation as an iron-clad bunker of new products.

Still, even those bunkers get a leak or two, and Apple has just had a pretty major one. That comes courtesy of a Russian channel, which unboxes the new M5 iPad Pro live on screen.

That's an incredible feat, as previous rumours about such a device have been almost non-existent. And it's not your average unboxing video, either.

The video goes on to put the new device through a range of different benchmark tests, to gain an understanding of what the new processor is capable of. That shows a performance boost of between 10-15%, while the GPU looks set to be up to 35% more impressive.

The other major confirmation we see is the styling and design, which is reassuringly familiar. That is to say, it's basically identical to the M4 iPad Pro, though given the recent spate of design shake-ups in the Apple catalogue, that's actually quite refreshing.

That's crafted from the same aluminium as the new iPhone 17 Pro models, which is unchanged from the previous iPad Pro generation also. As the video continues, we get a look at iPadOS 26 right out of the box.

All in all, then, it doesn't seem like the most tantalising leak in the world. Rather, it seems that this next generation of iPad models will be more of a iterative update than a major refresh.

Still, the familiarity of design will be welcomed by some, and the upgrades brought about by the M5 processor should be just enough to warrant having your head turned from the previous model.

If you're in the market for a new tablet, you've probably got a fair chunk of change saved. Like most things in life, the good ones don't come cheap, and the cheap ones are rarely any good, so it pays to make a solid investment.

Fortunately, that's not the case with OnePlus. After the roaring success of its OnePlus Pad 3 – a tablet which boasts lightness and killer tech among its key selling points – the brand is back with another device ready to steal your heart.

The OnePlus Pad Lite takes the same ethos, but packs it all into a much more affordable end product. From today, the model is also available to pre-order in the UK, with a range of fantastic deals on offer. For starters, you'll get £30 off the list price, plus a free gift and an extra £30 when you trade-in!

The device sits just 7.39mm thick, and weighs just 530g, making it perfectly slim and light enough for daily carry. The 11-inch display offers 500 nits of peak brightness – which is certainly not the best offering out there, but should do fine indoors – with a 16:10 aspect ratio offered. There's even 10-bit colour depth, a 90Hz refresh rate and 180 touch sampling rate, all of which spell a lovely experience in the hand.

For audio lovers, the brand offers a quad speaker array inside. All of those are hi-res audio certified, too, ensuring you can enjoy truly terrific sound quality at all times.

The 9,340mAh battery should ensure you have enough charge for longer sessions, while 35W SUPERVOOC charging will also keep it topped up quickly.

But perhaps the most inviting part of this device is the price tag. With the base model starting at just £199 / €229 (approx. US$266 / AU$409) this model offers a really compelling value-for-money proposition.

Okay, it might not go toe-to-toe on every spec point, but there's enough of the good stuff here to warrant interest for most people. Whether or not the added 5% is enough to push you towards a higher priced model is down to you – but if you're content, this is a killer deal.

Believe it or not, even as a long-time tech reviewer there are plenty of devices that I still have to watch out for in sales events if I want to get my hands on them. In some cases, I've been waiting years for a chance to get one for a good price, and that certainly applies to the basic Apple iPad.

Sure, an iPad Air is more powerful, but all me and my girlfriend really need is a simple tablet for travelling with, and the iPad seems perfect, but is rarely discounted. So, imagine my pleasure this morning when I found an Amazon Prime Day deal to help out – now the only challenge is to work out if I actually have the budget, before the deal ends at the end of today.

Apple iPad UK Deal

Apple iPad USA Deal

I've long been a fan of the basic iPad, and remain convinced that the vast majority of users don't need much more than it. As I mentioned before, the iPad Air and iPad Pro have more power to spare, but the simple fact is that the bulk of people don't need that power, because they don't edit videos, game heavily or work from their iPad.

Rather, most of us just want a tablet that we can watch movies, YouTube and TV on, whether it's curled up in bed or while we're travelling, to avoid relying on in-flight entertainment screens that almost always look pretty terrible.

My girlfriend currently has an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet from a good few years ago, and I've been looking to upgrade it for a while, which means I'm bookmarking this iPad deal for after I check my bank balance, later. I'm not saying I'll definitely buy it, but I'm extremely tempted.

The only problem is that this is now the final day of Prime Day, which Amazon stretched to four days this time around – so I don't have long to decide, and neither do you!

Apple's WWDC 2025 event is a chance to get a sneak peek at what's coming to its products later in the year, both new and current in the form of software updates. It's also often a hint to what we might see product-wise and shows the direction the company is going. No more so than with the upcoming iPadOS 26.

Now adopting a unified number relevant to the year (instead of what would have been iOS 19), all of Apple's devices will run a '26 version in 2026. That goes across the iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, Apple Watch and Mac – though the MacOS also gets a new name of Tahoe.

iPadOS has previously aligned itself closer to the iPhone OS than anything else. However, in recent years as the iPad has become faster and more frequently used with a keyboard, it has developed more Mac-like features.

Using your iPad as a laptop

The iPad Air and iPad Pro devices now run Apple silicon chips (M3 and M4), making them as powerful as MacBooks. This has allowed you to use them for serious video and audio editing, illustration and gaming with ease. However, for general use, it has never been as easy to operate as a Mac – at least with a keyboard and mouse.

Changes this year might seem relatively small on the surface. The iPad already has a task bar and using Stage Manager, the ability to have multiple windows open at once. Now, though, in iPadOS 26, on top of the new liquid glass design language, it features a new windows system, allowing you to resize and place windows anywhere, or even tile multiple windows on your screen.

This works in much the same way as windows do in MacOS, with the three coloured dots in the top left of each window, to close, minimise or resize, plus the ability to drag the bottom right corner of the window too.

New features make keyboard and trackpad easier

You can run background tasks when you switch to a new window, which hadn't been the case before, and it now features the Preview app. Preview is easily one of the most useful tools on the Mac for previewing images and PDF, as well as editing, resaving and signing documents.

iPad OS 26 also gets an open with command and the enhanced Files app, allowing you to colour-code folders, add emojis to them, and even drag them to the dock for easy access. Something that Mac users will be used to.

While I still love to use the iPad as a handheld touchscreen device, I more regularly use it with a keyboard these days, so these features feel really helpful. I think with these additions, it will make using the iPad instead of a Mac even more achievable.

One device, two ways to work it

I've always liked the idea of the iPad offering two modes – one for simple touchscreen operation, and another for more Mac-like operation. With this update, that dream feels almost realised. The choice between an iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro becomes much tougher.

I do wonder how much longer it will be before we see a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, especially if macOS can adopt some features from iPadOS. In the meantime, we could see a foldable iPad that bridges that gap even more. For me, though, 2026 is definitely the year of the iPad.

If you're a fan of Android phones, OnePlus is probably a brand you're aware of. Their handsets are widely regarded as some of the best out there, offering an enviable blend of specs and design.

Now, the brand has unveiled its newest tablet – the OnePlus Pad 3. And for those seeking a viable iPad alternative to pair with their Android setup, this might just be it.

First things first, let's talk size. The tablet sits a meagre 5.97mm thick, which should make it effortless to slip into bags without bulking them up too much. It also weighs just 675g – thanks, in part, to an aluminium construction – so you won't need to hit the gym before carrying it around all day, either.

Inside, you'll find a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. That's pretty much the gold standard for modern mobile processing, and should be good enough to power through just about any task you can think of.

That's married up with a 12,140mAh battery, which offers up to 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. You also won't need to fear running out of charge, either. 80W Supervooc charging offers a full top up in just 92 minutes.

Because its a OnePlus tablet, you'll also get up to 60 days of standby time. That means you won't pick it up one day and find that the battery died while you weren't making use of it.

Elsewhere, you'll find a 13.2-inch display, complete with a 144Hz refresh rate. That also tops out at 900 nits of peak brightness, and it TUV eye care 4.0 certified.

Last but not least, you'll find a whopping eight-speaker array inside. That's constructed from four pairs of bass units and tweeters, for a truly sumptuous sonic experience. It also enables Holo Audio, which lets users place different sounds within the sonic space.

Priced from £529 / €599 (approx. US$720 / AU$1,100) this certainly seems like an excellent offering for Android users seeking a pro-grade tablet experience.

There's some big news for WhatsApp fans this week (that includes me): owner Meta has finally added a dedicated iPad app to the App Store. Seriously, I think I have been waiting for this announcement for the last decade!

The messaging platform launched way back in 2009, but while it was available on iPhone from the end of that year, followed by Android in 2010, there hasn't been a version for those that wanted to use the service on iPad. Until now.

Given the first iPad launched in 2010, that's rather a long time.

You could still access WhatsApp on iPad if you used the browser, but the launch of a dedicated app for Apple's tablet should make for a much more streamlined experience, and that's something I am all for.

WhatsApp had teased on X that the app for iPad was coming using the eyes emoji, but while that's one of the most unsubtle emojis you can use, there was no indication it would arrive this soon.

What does the WhatsApp app for iPad offer?

And yet here it is. The WhatsApp app for iPad brings many of the same features you will find on iPhone, including the ability to make group audio and video calls with up to 32 people, share your screen and use the front and rear cameras.

It's optimised for multitasking on iPadOS too, supporting features like Stage Manager, Split View and Slide Over, so you can use the WhatsApp app alongside other apps, whether that be your emails, Safari or Notes. The app will also work with Apple's Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil if you have either of those accessories for your iPad.

It's worth mentioning that Stage Manager is only available on iPad Pro with M4, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and later) and iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later). However, Split View and Slide Over work with other iPads like the iPad (A16) and iPad mini (A17 Pro).

The WhatsApp for iPad app is available to download now from the App Store. Happy big-screen chatting.

The iPad Air sits in the sweet spot of Apple’s tablet range. Much like the MacBook Air, which remains the best iPad for most people in the laptop range, the iPad Air is likely to be the perfect trade-off between the performance of the iPad Pro M4 and the price of the standard iPad (A16).

With the latest model, the iPad Air M3 has pushed the performance part of this tablet even further, providing it with more power than most users will ever need. Aside from this new chip, little has changed on the iPad Air. The biggest difference actually being the new Magic Keyboard that is compatible with it, turning this touchscreen tablet into something closer to a laptop, or a hybrid device.

Until 2019, Apple had three options in its MacBook range. The 12-inch MacBook sat below the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, offering a more basic spec for a lower price. For most people, though, it was still more than powerful enough and relatively affordable.

The iPad range still has three versions, with a standard iPad – the iPad A16 – sitting below the iPad Air and iPad Pro. There are plenty of reasons why you would choose the iPad Air M3 over the iPad A16, not least the M3 chip and the Apple Intelligence features that brings.

But what if the iPad M3 is now also filling the space left by the standard MacBook? Thanks to its fast performance and new keyboard, that is exactly what it is doing. I’ve been using the 11-inch iPad Air M3 for a couple of weeks now. I wanted to see not only how it performed as a touchscreen tablet, but also as a laptop replacement. So, as well as using it with the Magic Keyboard attached, I used it to write this review.

How much is the iPad Air M3?

Originally announced on 4th March, the iPad Air M3 went on sale on Wednesday, 12th March 2025. It is available in two sizes, the 11-inch model starting from £599 / $599 / A$999 and the 13-inch model from £799 / $799 / A$1349.

There’s a choice of four colours (starlight, purple, blue and space grey), and a choice of four storage options ranging from 128GB up to 1TB. You can also choose between the standard Wi-Fi only model and the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, which allows you to add a data connection in the form of an eSIM to the device.

The top-spec 13-inch iPad Air with 1TB storage and cellular will cost you £1449 / $1449 / A$2499. There’s also the option to add either the Apple Pencil Pro or the Apple Pencil (USB-C) for £129 / $129/ A$219 and £79 / $79 / A$139 respectively. The Magic Keyboard is an extra £269 / $269 / A$449 for the 11-inch version, or £299 / $299 / A$499 for the 13-inch version.

I tested the 11-inch model, with 1TB storage and cellular connection, which retails at £1249 in the UK.

What's new on the iPad Air M3?

As with the iPad Air M2, the new version comes in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. That 13-inch model gives you 30% more screen space than the 11-inch, which is perhaps more suited if you are looking for a laptop replacement. However, as the smaller model is £200/$200 cheaper, it’s likely to be the more popular choice for those regular tablet users.

Having used last year’s 13-inch model, I actually quite like the smaller 11-inch option. I found I would pack it in addition to a laptop rather than instead of one, and use it when space didn’t allow for the larger footprint of a laptop, such as on a train or plane, or when I just wanted to watch a film, play a game or check a website.

There are two 12MP cameras on the device, on on the rear, which is handy for taking snaps or to scan documents, and one on the front for video calls or selfies. As with the M2 version, the front camera is mounted on the longer edge, so it sits centrally while using the iPad Air on the Magic Keyboard or the folio in its standing position. This also includes the Centre Stage function, which allows the camera to reframe as you move around, thanks to the larger sensor.

For wireless data connections, it uses Wi-Fi 6E and 5G. None of Apple’s devices has yet to opt for the new Wi-Fi 7 connection, but this is still a way off being a common format for Wi-Fi routers. The Wi-Fi is dual band though, so you can connect to another device via Wi-Fi while maintaining a data connection. For cellular connection, it uses an eSIM rather than a physical SIM slot.

There’s a USB-C port for charging and data connection. This is capable of 10Gb/s speeds and even allows you to connect to external displays, such as the Studio Display, to provide 5k resolution (or 6k on the Pro Display). There’s also Bluetooth 5.3 for connection to compatible devices, such as AirPods or the Apple Pencil.

Physically, the 11-inch iPad Air has changed very little from either the 4th or 5th generation iPad Air devices, before the M2. With dimensions of 247.6mm (9.74in) x 178.5mm (7.02in) x 6.1mm (0.24in) for the 11-inch and 280.6mm (11.04in) x 214.9mm (8.46in) x 6.1mm (0.24in) for the 13-inch, it is exactly the same as the M2 model. The only small change is that both are fractionally lighter, by 2 grams (0.071oz) and 1 gram (0.035oz) respectively.

Interestingly, the iPad Pro models are both thinner and lighter than the respective 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Airs. This is contrary to the set-up with the MacBook Air and Pro models.

iPad Air M3 display

The Liquid Retina display on the iPad Air does look fantastic, with its P3 wide colour and True Tone. While it has an anti-reflective coating, there’s no nano-texture glass option here, like there is on the Pro models.

The 13-inch has a higher SDR brightness than the 11-inch, of 600 nits compared to 500 nits, but this is still more than bright enough for general use. I currently have it set to less than half brightness for indoor use.

With 2360 x 1640 pixels and 2732 x 2048 pixels respectively, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air’s both provide a 264ppi resolution, which is the same as the Pro screens. The difference is the the Pro models use a tandem OLED display, which is both brighter and has a faster refresh rate. You need to put them side by side to notice any difference, but in isolation, the quality looks great.

I watched the first long running scene of Severance season 2 episode 1 and the last episode of Silo season 2, which is practically in darkness. Both looked incredible, even on this smaller 11-inch model. I’ve also watched seasons of For All Mankind while on a plane, and it still looked great.

Accessories

It’s the accessories for the iPad Air M3 that transform this device from a regular tablet to something with both creative potential and MacBook possibilities. First let’s look at the cases.

There are two main options that Apple offers for protecting your iPad Air, the first is the Smart Folio. This provides a cover for both the front and back of the device and comes in a choice of four colours (light violet, denim, charcoal grey and sage). The front cover folds back in three sections, allowing it to work as a desk stand with four angles of elevation.

The more advanced option is the Magic Keyboard. This also provides cover for the back and front. However, the front cover is solid and features a built-in keyboard. Like the Folio keyboard, it attaches to the iPad magnetically, but the three pin connectors line up with those on the back of the iPad to provide connection for the keyboard, automatically turning off the onscreen keyboard.

This Magic Keyboard is a new design on last year’s version, as it now includes a row of function keys above the numbers, much like on a Mac. These give you quick access to brightness, volume and media controls. Side by side, it looks almost identical to the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard, except that it isn’t back-lit and doesn’t have haptic feedback on the trackpad.

I did find the trackpad a little small on the 11-inch Magic Keyboard, and the half-sized plus and minus keys took some getting used to, but it is very usable, even for longer periods of writing (like this review). Ultimately, if you want to use the iPad Air M3 as a laptop replacement, you would probably pick the 13-inch model, for the keyboard as much as the larger screen.

The second major accessory is a stylus. There are two options that are compatible with the iPad Air M3: the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C). For basic drawing and note-taking, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is more than capable, and as the name suggests, charges easily through USB-C.

Apple Pencil Pro has a number of advantages, though, if you are looking to use it creatively. The biggest factor is pressure sensitivity, allowing you to alter the brush based on how hard you press. It also has barrel roll sensitivity, which allows you to use the stylus like a calligraphy pen or angled brush. There’s also a quick menu that you can access via a squeeze of the pencil, a double tap to change tools and haptic feedback.

The fact that the Apple Pencil Pro also charges wirelessly when attached the side of the iPad also makes it easier to keep the charge topped up. The Apple Pencil (USB-C) also attaches magnetically but won’t charge that way.

Performance and battery

It’s the performance which is the main update from the previous M2 model. To test just how much better the M3 chip is, I ran the Geekbench 6 benchmark tool on the device. The step up from the M2 to the M3 in terms of CPU performance is significant.

The M3 model has a multi-core score of 11606, compared to an average of 9789 for the M2 version. On the graphics side, the difference is smaller but still significant. The M3 has a metal test score of 45954 compared to 42001 on the M2.

For most users, you probably won’t notice that difference. The M2 is already an extremely powerful chip for this device. However, if you’re upgrading from an older iPad, you will notice how much faster this model is, from general use to heavy processing in apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.

Battery life remains the same on the iPad M3 as it was on the M2 model. You get 10 hours of general Wi-Fi operation, or nine hours on cellular. This is one area where the iPad falls down against a MacBook. The MacBook Air offers up to 18 hours of battery life, and the MacBook Pro up to 22 hours.

In practice, though, I found the iPad Air M3 does hold its battery life pretty well. Over a couple of days of gentle use, I’ve seen the battery drop down to 60%, and even when watching films on flights, I didn’t have to worry about plugging the device in.

Should I buy the iPad Air M3?

For most users, the iPad Air M3 represents the most sensible choice of iPad to buy. There’s a considerable jump in performance from the entry-level iPad (A16), and the iPad mini is certainly too small to be any form of laptop replacement.

While the Air isn’t the thinnest or lightest of the range, the price difference between it and the Pro models means that despite the faster chip and superior screen, it’s not worth paying the extra for the iPad Pro. In fact, the iPad Air M3 has a truly impressive performance that outstrips many laptops.

It wins on creativity, too, thanks to the Apple Pencil Pro compatibility and general touchscreen ability. You really can use this as a graphics tablet for illustration, painting or sketchwork. It’s also ideal for photo, video and audio editing, using one of the iPad versions of the professional programs.

I love the compactness of the 11-inch iPad Air M3, though its still the 13-inch model that offers the promise of a true alternative to a MacBook. The new Magic Keyboard is really impressive, if not quite as good as the one for the iPad Pro. Once again, the biggest limitation here is the way that iPadOS works, even with Stage Manager.

I would really like to see Stage Manager develop into a macOS Lite. Especially on the larger 13-inch iPads, it would work brilliantly and there’s more than enough power here to run a more in-depth OS.

Also consider

This review really covers both the iPad Air M3 11-inch and 13-inch models, but the best alternative to the 11-inch model is the 13-inch model. It costs £200/$200 more, but that screen feels so much bigger, and combined with the larger keys on the Magic Keyboard, it provides a more laptop-like experience.

Of course, if you really want the best iPad experience, the iPad Pro M4 steps things up a notch. Not only is the screen far superior, it’s faster, thinner and lighter too, making it a real workhorse of a machine that you could take anywhere.

For those who don’t want a laptop replacement, and actually just want a second machine for browsing the web, watching films and gaming, the iPad mini A17 Pro is also worth considering. It’s considerably smaller but it’s a big step up from using your phone, and the A17 Pro chip is still capable of Apple Intelligence features.

It finally happened: Apple revealed the new iPhone 16 at a video-only launch event this week. And, no, that's not a typo: the widely expected 'iPhone SE 4' has instead manifested as the iPhone 16e, offering an all-new naming convention, lower price owed to pared back features, yet delivering on Apple Intelligence to keep up with the times.

But it got me thinking: is this the beginning of a new 'e-era' for Apple? Will we get all manner of 'iProducts' with e-appends to their names? I, for one, am all for it – especially as an also-rumoured new iPad did not appear alongside the new iPhone 16e's reveal. Probably for the best, though, to keep all eyes on this new budget iPhone.

Could a budget iPad be next?

Personally, when I'm looking for the best iPhone, I do want the most sophisticated model with the latest and greatest features – but I'm the same with the best phones in general, whether Apple or Android. So I'd skip the iPhone 16e for the base iPhone 16 – even if just for the sake of MagSafe charging.

Tablets, on the other hand, I think about rather differently. I'm far more inclined when buying one of the best slates to bypass super-powerful processors and all the bells and whistles. Sure, Apple's best iPads – the iPad Pro range, in particular – are, in part, geared up as laptop replacements, which is great for the right users. But I just want something simpler – a large screen for watching the best streaming services, frankly.

That's why I'd be all over an 'iPad 11e'. Imagine an 11-inch iPad, as an upgrade to 2022's 10.9-inch model (pictured above), and keeping with the lower-priced focus of an 'e' version. The '11' works on multiple levels, too: it'd be the 11th Gen model, for one; and it'd be an 11-inch display, for another.

iPhones and iPads for all

The last iPad I reviewed came in a yellow finish, as you can see from the picture further up page. The iPhone 16e? It's not nearly so fanciful (well, 'divisive' is probably the more apt descriptor), coming in Black or White options only. Apple isn't even going down the Space Grey route here, it's gone super simple – which I think is admirable.

If not having blue, pink, yellow or whatever other colour options means a lower price, then sign me up already. A would-be iPad 11e in a simple black finish? I'll take it, thanks! That'll lower overall production costs for sure, while giving the 'e' models a distinct and simpler visual appearance, separating such models from the wider range.

While iPad models have been trailblazing in delivering top-tier power in the Pro variants, I really think there's scope for a model much lower down the ranks. One where Apple Intelligence is still part of the package, where the design tidies up the more aged looks of the basic iPad model, and appeals to a whole new audience. So while the iPhone 16e isn't for me, I do want an iPad 11e already...

After months of speculation, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to launch soon, but previous suggestions that it could appear this week have been reassessed. In addition, the new entry-level iPad is yet to make an appearance, along with some other tweaks to Apple devices.

So, when can we expect to see the firm's new budget iPhone and the other products? Well., Bloomberg's Apple expert, Mark Gurman has provided some clarification.

Taking to X, he now believes the iPhone SE 4 will be announced "by next week", as Apple has started to invite journalists to product briefings. It was previously suggested that the handset could launch as soon as yesterday (through a press release rather than actual event), but that clearly failed to materialise.

In our own experience, Apple tends to book in briefings on the day of the announcement or soon after, so Gurman's latest timeline makes sense.

However, unlike the new iPhone, the new iPad could still make an appearance this week – today, in fact.

Gurman is convinced that a "smaller announcement" is expected, and that could well be for the first entry-level iPad refresh in over two years.

As for other Apple products, he claims the Vision Pro could get an announcement on Valentine's Day – this Friday, 14 February – and the M4 MacBook Air should finally be made official "within weeks".

It's not yet known what the Vision Pro announcement could be, although 9to5Mac suggests that it might be the confirmation of compatibility with Sony's PSVR2 controllers, as previously rumoured.

We guess we'll see in the coming days – or from later today, if the Apple-focused journalist is spot on with his guesswork.

There's been a lot of chatter online about Apple launching new devices this week. It is understood that we'll finally get the iPhone SE 4 that's been rumoured for quite some time. However, it's unlikely to appear on its own.

It has also been claimed that the company is planning to refresh its entry-level iPad too – something that's taken a while considering the iPad 10th gen was released in 2022.

Apple-centric site 9to5Mac states that the 11th gen version will be unveiled in the coming days, alongside the new entry-level iPhone. But while that device is expected to bring about several key changes, including a more iPhone 16-like design, you shouldn't expect the same level of upgrade with the iPad.

Indeed, it could be very similar to the tablet released over two-years ago, at least on the outside. Specifications will improve though, not least to introduce Apple Intelligence to the family.

Apple's AI system is only capable of running on devices featuring the A17 Pro or Apple's own M1 silicon or above. That means the new iPad is more than likely to sport the latter – the same chipset as the latest iPad mini released at the tail end of last year.

It's also claimed that the RAM will be bumped from 4GB oto 8GB – again, to run Apple Intelligence smoothly.

Other than those, 9to5Mac can't see many more hardware updates. Bluetooth 5.3 might be adopted along with Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless connectivity, but don't expect much else.

Still, the look and feel of the existing entry-level iPad continues to be great, so why fix it? It'll also surely come in at the same price of around £329 / $349 / $AU599 for the Wi-Fi only 64GB version. And who knows, there could even be a storage increase for the same cost.

Either way, if current rumours are true, we could find out sooner than later, as some even suggest that Apple's new devices will be unveiled tomorrow, 11 February. We'll naturally let you know as soon as we hear more.

Last year was busy for Apple, not just in terms of the number of products it announced but we also saw the launch of the company's artificial intelligence solution – Apple Intelligence.

Pretty much all of Apple's newest devices support Apple Intelligence, and a few older products too, including the iPhone 15 Pro models and any iPads and Macs that are running M-series chips.

But, there is one standout device in Apple's current portfolio that doesn't support Apple Intelligence – the base level iPad.

Despite the iPad mini seeing a refresh in 2024, the iPad 10th generation didn't, and with it currently running on the A14 Bionic, it's not powerful enough to support features like Writing Tools or the Priority Notifications that come with Apple Intelligence.

What can we expect for the iPad (11th generation)?

It looks like things could could be about to change for the humble entry level iPad though. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter that the iPad (11th generation) will run on the A17 Pro chip, like the iPad mini. He also believes it'll see a jump to 8GB of RAM and gain support for Apple Intelligence.

According to Gurman: "The new entry-level iPads – J481 and J482 – will get faster processors and Apple Intelligence.

"Look for the new versions to have the A17 Pro chip, matching the iPad mini, and a bump to 8 gigabytes of memory. That’s the minimum needed to support the new AI platform."

The A17 Pro chip was first seen in the iPhone 15 Pro models, though 9to5Mac reports that Apple used a "binned version with a 5-core GPU" for the iPad mini 7, suggesting the same could be the case for the iPad (11th generation).

Of course, nothing is officially confirmed for now, though it is thought Apple will announce the iPad (11th generation) alongside a new iPhone SE, new iPad Air models and new Magic Keyboards in the first half of this year.

A new Android tablet has arrived at CES 2025, with the TCL NXTPaper 11 Plus packing the firm’s latest NXTPAPER 4.0 screen technology, giving it a leg-up on Apple’s iPad range.

TCL’s NXTPaper full-color electronic paper display technology has been around since 2021, combining a traditional smartphone/tablet display with an E-Ink style, paper-like screen. Users can instantly switch between screen states with the press of a button – called the NXTPaper Key (more on this shortly).

For 2025, this technology has been improved further with the inclusion of the AI-powered Smart Eye Comfort mode. This mode intelligently responds to the environment you’re in, and adjusts the brightness, contrast, saturation, colour gamut and colour temperature of the screen for optimum viewing.

This allows the screen to mimic natural light and cuts out blue light, reducing the strain on your eyes and enhancing visual comfort compared to screens you find on other tablets.

TCL has also improved screen clarity with NXTPaper 4.0, with nano-matrix lithography technology enhancing fine details in images and text and providing smoother, richer transitions which feel more natural and put less strain on the eyes.

World’s first NXTPaper 4.0 device

The first opportunity you’ll have to try out the NXTPaper 4.0 technology is on the TCL NXTPaper 11 Plus.

Once you’ve got the tablet you’ll be able to take an on-screen test to create personalised settings to best suit your preferences, usage, and specifically your eyes, for ultimate comfort and clarity.

Toggling between the full-color display and the paper-like greyscale offering is as easy as pressing the NXTPaper Key - but this button also gets an upgrade here.

As well as switching between screen modes, the NXTPaper Key can now be customised to offer shortcuts to key features on the tablet, including AI tools and frequently used apps.

TCL is packing its new tablet with a suite of AI tools, including text assist, Google’s circle to search, writing assist, smart voice memo (which can record and summarise meetings), smart translator and real-time subtitles.

The real-time subtitles feature is particularly interesting, as it supports translations for dozens of languages, and works whether you’re watching or streaming video, or in a video conference.

Further information is limited, but we do know the NXTPaper 11 Plus comes with an 11.5-inch display with a 2.2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Everything is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, there’s T-Pen stylus support, and the upgraded NXTPaper Key.

The NXTPaper 11 Plus tablet will be available later this year, with the release date and price due to be announced at MWC 2025.

As the NXTPaper 11 cost $229.99 / £179.99 at launch in 2023, we expect the new Plus model to carry a higher price tag – although it will likely still undercut Apple’s $349 / £329 10th gen iPad.

Android tablets are enjoying something of a resurgence. With most manufacturers dipping a toe in the tablet waters in the mid-2010s, it was the global pandemic that brought many back to the segment.

Samsung didn’t waver, however, behind some of the best tablets in the Android space – and enjoying the lion’s share of sales too. While the cheap end of the market is well served by the (admittedly forked Android) Amazon Fire tablets, Samsung dominates much of the rest of the Android tablet space.

The Galaxy Tab S Ultra was first launched in 2022 in the guise of the Tab S8 Ultra and the almost comically-large tablet continues in 2024 with the Tab S10 Ultra. It sticks to the 14.6-inch display, dwarfing the largest 13-inch iPad Pro – and if you’re in the market for a large tablet then there are few other choices at this size.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Price & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra costs a not insignificant £1,199 / $1,199 / AU$2,099 – although it’s already attracted discounts since it was announced in September 2024. We've been living with our review sample for a long time before publishing this review.

There’s just the starting price for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage – which brings it in cheaper than Apple's iPad Pro equivalent (although not by much at launch). But Samsung does produce discounts regularly, so you should be able to get it for quite a bit less – check the widget above to see real-time pricing.

Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs S10 Ultra: What's different?

While some manufacturers are a little inconsistent with their tablet upgrades, Samsung has been a lot better. That means that a comparison to the Galaxy S9 Ultra is valid, because you’ll find that it’s an iterative update.

There’s very little difference in the physical design of these two tablets, the only real difference being that the Tab S10 Ultra is 0.1mm slimmer – at 5.4mm. There is a couple of grams difference in the weight too – it's 14g lighter than the older tablet – but still rather hefty, at 718g.

Naturally, there’s an updated processor, here using the MediaTek Dimensity 3900+, compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 of the Tab S9 Ultra. That gives it a slightly higher clock speed on the big cores.

While the display is the same, there’s a slightly different finish, so the Tab S10 Ultra's screen will handle reflections better than the older slate – making it a little more useful in brighter conditions.

There’s still support for microSD, now up to 1.5TB. Other than those major differences, there's now a Moonstone Grey or Platinum Silver finish rather than the Graphite of old.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: Design & Display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tops the range of Samsung tablets, not only offering the largest display, but also the narrowest bezels around the screen. That adds one element to the design, which is a notch at the top (on one of the long sides) housing the two front-facing cameras.

Slim is definitely the thing for the Tab S10 Ultra – although it is beaten by Apple, with iPad Pro (at 5.1mm), not that it makes a huge difference. The real takeaway is that tablets this slim fit better into their keyboard cases without everything getting too thick. Here that’s the £339 / $349 / AU$599 AI Book Cover Keyboard, which includes a trackpad and a kickstand at the rear – so you can use your Tab Ultra as a laptop.

But – just like the iPad Pro – that keyboard cover doesn’t come in the box; once you put together the tablet and the keyboard, the price rivals what you might pay for the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge, which I’d argue will give you a better computing experience if you intend to use the keyboard a lot.

Back to the tablet, though, and the S Pen stylus is included in the box, for note-taking or if you want to turn your hand to a bit of digital artistry. It attaches to the rear of the tablet magnetically – which is fine for light storage, but it won’t stay in place if you’re putting it into a back, as it will get knocked off.

The Tab S10 Ultra is finished in aluminium with a premium build, but that 718g is certainly heavy, so this isn’t really a tablet you want to hold for long if you’re doing anything – it’s definitely the sort of tablet that likes to be resting on a desk. It also has an IP68 rating, so it’s protected against water damage if you drop it into the bath.

The display on the Tab S10 Ultra is stunning. It’s an AMOLED panel, something that Samsung is well known for, with a 2960 x 1848 pixel resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. That makes this very much a landscape-orientated tablet. The display has a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and it’s adaptive so it will adjust to what you’re doing to help save battery while looking its best.

The display has a peak brightness of 930 nits, which isn’t as bright as the best phones of today, but there is a coating on the display surface designed to reduce glare compared to the previous model. That helps to cut down on reflections a little, but there’s no avoiding that this is a large glass expanse, so bright surroundings will reflect off it.

The screen aspect ratio is good for consuming video content, as there’s slightly less chance of black bars top and bottom compared to the iPad (which is a 4:3 ratio). Movie content looks great, helped by the fact that you’re usually watching it at close range, so it’s really immersive on that big screen – but you’ll definitely need something to prop it up, because leaning it against something will just see it slide away.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra delivers those rich colours that you expect and those deep blacks, so it’s great for entertainment on the move. Just keep a cloth handy to wipe away those inevitable fingerprint smears – just as you have to with the best iPads too.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: Features & Camera

At the time of writing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1. But this tablet comes with Samsung’s promise of 7 years of software support. It’s expected that the Android 15 update will arrive with One UI 7 in early 2025 – and there'll be plenty of updates thereafter.

One of the features that Samsung highlights on the Tab S10 Ultra is Galaxy AI, bringing with it a range of features for smarter note-taking, photo editing and translations. There’s support for Split View editing as well as the AI-powered Circle to Search, to make it really easy to identify things you see when browsing.

It’s also really easy to open apps in a split-screen view – and on a tablet of this size that’s actually useful, as you can refer to information in a different app, while taking notes elsewhere. That gives the size of this tablet purpose, but it’s not a unique feature – it’s something that Samsung has offered for many years.

That also includes DeX, where the user interface behaves more like a desktop computer – and you can have this launch whenever the keyboard attaches. It’s another option for working on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and I get the feeling that most people interested in it will be producing something, rather than it just being a giant TV-watching slab.

With that, there are the same drawbacks working on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra as you get elsewhere on Android. The optimisation of apps isn’t as comprehensive as it is for iPad, and there are fewer to choose from.

While the handling of external devices you might connect through the USB-C port is considerably better than it is on iOS and the iPad, I can’t help feeling that your work needs to have a fairly simple workflow for the Tab S10 Ultra to be your tool of choice. Certainly, it won’t do everything that you can do on a Windows laptop or Mac – and that’s often the problem.

There are two 13-megapixel cameras on the rear of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: the main camera, supported by an ultra-wide camera. As I’ve often said before, I don’t put much stock in tablet photography. I know some people have a requirement as part of a work process to take photos and using these cameras is really about the convenience of just using one device.

If you actually want a good photo to share, your phone will give you significantly better results. The tablet's front camera, however, is a slightly different proposition – as video calling is popular and having a decent camera certainly helps. The option for an ultra-wide view to get more people into a video call is great – and apps like Zoom will default to the wider view. You don’t get to choose within most video calling apps, but at least the hardware is there if it is supported.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: Performance & Battery

There’s no lack of power in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The MediaTek hardware makes everything slick and fast for a premium experience. There’s no problem using apps side-by-side or switching between them. While Samsung suggests that you might use the tablet for gaming, it’s not a great device for touch-optimised games designed for a phone, just because it’s so big.

But the great display quality makes everything you view look rich and sumptuous, while the speakers that Samsung has packed into this slim device are also pretty good. Firing up a movie in a hotel room and freeing yourself from headphones isn’t a bad experience.

The battery comes in at 11,200mAh, with the promise of 10 hours of internet use or 16 hours of video playback. That’s comparable to the iPad Pro M4 and I found that the battery life on this tablet was solid. I also found that the hardware didn’t appear to heat-up when under load – it just got on with whatever tasks I threw at it.

Charging comes in a 45W – the same top speed as you’ll find on the Galaxy S24 Ultra phone – and that means it will take a couple of hours to charge your tablet. There’s no charger in the box though, which is all part of current regulations.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review: Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a quality large-scale tablet experience. It’s loaded with performance and in terms of build quality, display, battery and entertainment scope, it doesn’t put a foot wrong.

Like all Android tablets, however, it’s slightly hampered by a smaller selection of apps optimised for the larger screen – where Apple's iPad still has an advantage.

Practically speaking, this Samsung tablet is too large to use without a stand: holding it for any period of time soon becomes a chore – unless you’re scribbling notes, in which case it’s fine – so for those wanting to consume media, you’ll have to factor in a case to protect the expanse of screen.

But if you’re looking for the biggest and the best, then look no further: Samsung dominates Android for a reason and all those reasons play out in the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra's overall experience.

Also consider

Few tablets sit in a rivalling position to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra – and we’d be remiss not to mention the Apple iPad Pro. It’s the benchmark in the tablet space, it costs about the same and even as an Android user, the iPad is still a great choice because Google’s apps work so well on it. You can, literally, use an iPad without getting tied into any of Apple’s apps, so it’s always worth considering.

Or you might consider the older Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. As there are few physical differences between these tablets – and Samsung’s software support rolls back to the Tab S9 family too, you could save yourself a chunk of change by opting for the older model.

Yesterday, we reported that Apple is working on a folding iPad Pro with a very big screen. And now there are new claims that it's also working on a much smaller tablet – an OLED version of the iPad mini.

The recently released iPad mini isn't dramatically different, but the arrival of OLED – which is tipped to happen in 2026 – could make a big difference to Apple's small device. OLED panels are very thin, and as we've seen in the top-end M4 iPad Pro, it enables Apple to make its tablets much thinner and much lighter.

For a highly portable tablet like the mini, that's a big plus.

What do we know about the OLED iPad mini?

The prediction comes from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), as reported by MacRumors. Speaking to supply chain insiders from organisations involved in Apple device components, DSCC has concluded that there will be an 8.5-inch OLED iPad mini on sale in 2026.

The organisation is focused on the display sector, not the whole supply chain, so that's as much information as it can offer.

DSCC does have some other nuggets, though. It says that the panels for the 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Air are scheduled for models in 2027. That means by the end of that year, all of Apple's mobile devices bar the entry-level iPad will be packing OLED panels.

The organisation also corroborates other reports about Apple's folding iPad. It expects an 18.8-inch folding iPad Pro to launch in 2027. Some of the specifics differ, though.

Bloomberg says the launch date is 2028, not 2027, and the Wall Street Journal seems unclear as to whether the folding Apple device is an iPad or a MacBook. Bloomberg is hedging its bets on that one: it suggests that the device is an iPad, but says that by the time it's released iPadOS will run macOS apps.

It's been a fascinating couple of days for news about Apple's foldable devices – two separate reports in big-name publications have cast light on Apple's plans for the next few years.

As we reported earlier, the Wall Street Journal has described a folding iPhone that's bigger than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and also revealed that Apple is working on a large folding laptop. Now, a second report, from Bloomberg, says that Apple is working on a folding iPad.

Previous rumours had predicted an iPad Fold for launch in 2026, but the latest say it's taken longer than Apple expected – the launch is now expected to happen in 2028.

It seems that there's some overlap between the two most recent suggestions. The folding iPad described by Bloomberg sounds similar to the folding laptop described by the WSJ. But, while the WSJ claims that the device as a MacBook, Bloomberg disagrees.

Is Apple making a folding iPad?

We've heard rumours of a folding iPad for several years now, and according to Bloomberg, that's where Apple is setting its sights: "Apple knows that customers – gamers, software developers or just people watching movies – want the biggest screen possible. And the only way to sensibly ship a mobile product with a large display (one approaching 20 inches or so) is to make it foldable," it writes.

We've seen plenty of devices like this already from the likes of Microsoft and Lenovo. But, Apple is apparently thinking different, with an 18.8-inch display that doesn't have a visible crease and doesn't appear to be two separate panels. It will look like a single, uninterrupted sheet of glass, it is alleged.

The next bit is a prediction rather than a leak, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says he expects the device to run iPadOS – with an important difference.

By the time this device launches, which Gurman suggests will be in 2028, he believes that iPadOS will be advanced enough to run macOS apps. He also argues that the new device will be sold as an iPad alternative rather than a MacBook Pro alternative.

If you're an iPad user then it's been a good week for you. Not only has iPadOS 18.2 arrived, bringing a host of new Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground and Genmoji, but the Microsoft Teams app has also been updated to add a new feature.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, those of you who use Microsoft Teams on your tablet will now be able to connect and use an external webcam for your video calls, rather than having to use your iPad's built-in camera.

Apple announced support for external webcams connected via USB-C back in 2023 when it revealed iPadOS 17. The feature was detailed at WWDC23 and Apple released an API back then too, allowing third party app developers to work on delivering support.

It might have taken over a year for Microsoft to then bring that to the table for Teams but good things come to those who wait and here we are. In a blog post, Microsoft said: "We’ve made connecting an external camera to your iPad a seamless experience.

"With support for iOS 17, Teams users can now easily leverage the capabilities of USB-C-connected cameras for higher-quality video conferencing."

Many of the more recent iPads offer decent built-in cameras, as well as features like Center Stage that will keep you in the frame even if you move around the room on a video call. An external webcam can be beneficial if you want a higher resolution however, as well as if you want a different position for example.

The Microsoft Teams app is available for iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro and it can be downloaded from the App Store.

It requires iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, but the support for external webcams needs an iPad with USB-C – like the iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad Air (M2), iPad Pro (M4) or iPad (10th generation) – and that device needs to be running iPadOS 17. The latest software is iPadOS 18.2.

If you’ve been waiting for the Pixel Tablet 2 then there’s some bad news – it seems that Google has cancelled the follow-up device.

Only recently, we were reporting on the news that the company was planning to fix one of the major annoyances with the original device, but now it seems that the Pixel Tablet 2 isn’t going to be launched at all.

The news comes from Android Authority, which reports from a source inside Google, where we learn a lot about the device that is no more. And, as it happens, it seems that the Pixel Tablet 2 was on course to be a great iPad alternative, addressing the problems highlighted with the original Pixel Tablet.

First of all, there was the keyboard that we previously mentioned, but also a move to more powerful hardware in Tensor G4. There was also a plan to include 5G in the Pixel Tablet 2, which would have opened up its use cases, but perhaps move away from its original positioning as a device for the home.

That perhaps is at the route of the problem here: we also learn that there were plans for GPS, which might be useful for locations when out and about, but the inclusion of a Thread radio for smart home functionality points to a device that’s designed to stay at home, docked, like the original model.

That raises the question of what the Pixel Tablet is supposed to be. It launched with a unique selling point with that speaker dock in the box, long before you could just buy the tablet on its own. Now we’re looking at a mixture of features, some suggesting it's going to move towards being a more conventional productivity-enabled device for working or entertainment on the move, but other features suggesting it wants to be the centre of your smart home.

Pixel Tablet 2 hardware updates

Apart from the changes above, it’s said that the Pixel Tablet 2 was destined for a 120Hz display, sticking to the LCD technology used before rather than moving towards anything more fancy. A minor bump in the brightness was also on the cards.

This would be supported by better cameras, including a sensor upgrade for the selfie camera to improve Google Meets calls, but at the same time, face unlock was never planned as an option. Having used the iPad Pro, face unlock is a really attractive feature on a tablet, so why the omission?

The fact that this tablet now seems to have been consigned to the recycle bin is a surprise: Google has talked at length about improving the big screen experience for Android users, and the Pixel Tablet was supposed to be part of that strategy. However, with little action on the Nest Home devices and most of the focus on Pixel phones, it feels like Google’s triumphant return to tablets has faltered.

Today is the day! If you’ve been waiting for the best Black Friday deals, now is the time to press checkout on your basket. While the sales last until Cyber Monday, offers will likely slow down over the weekend.

If you’re using the opportunity to buy one of the best tablets, you're in luck. There have been lots of discounts on slates from top brands, including Apple, Samsung, and Amazon.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 deal on Amazon

One such deal is this offer on Samsung’s iPad Air rival, the Galaxy Tab S9, which has been reduced to $619.48 for the model with 256GB of storage. Its original price was $919.99 – so this deal saves you a massive $300.

Launched in 2023, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is now the previous-generation device, but it’s still one of the best tablets you can buy. It rivals the Apple iPad Air with its slim profile, high-quality display and top-level performance.

The 11-inch display is bright, colourful and smooth, so it’ll be suited to everything from streaming and shopping to editing and drawing. It’s surrounded by tiny bezels, making it look sleek and modern. Plus it’s durable thanks to the Armor Aluminum body and IP68-rated water and dust resistance protecting it from all kinds of little accidents.

Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, it’s fast and efficient so you can run more demanding tasks on it without the tablet heating up or lagging at all. It also has a large battery for all-day use.

Running on Android and Samsung’s One UI, the Tab S9 is very intuitive to navigate, and it even has a whole selection of Galaxy AI features to speed up your workflow. That includes Circle to Search to look up anything on the screen, Transcript Assist to take notes on your meeting or lectures, Photo Assist for advanced photo editing and Note Assist to summarize your Galaxy Notes.

One major perk of buying this over a lot of other tablets is the fact that it comes with the S Pen stylus included in the box.

The cherry on the cake is that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is now at its lowest-ever price in this Black Friday deal at Amazon. We’ve verified this using CamelCamelCamel, and while it’s rarely on sale for its $919.99 launch price, you would usually expect to pay between $750 and $800 for it.

The day has finally arrived and the best Black Friday deals are in full swing. There's plenty to pick from, but if you've been holding out for a decent tablet deal then this 5-star offer is certainly the out-and-out winner that I've seen so far.

View the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 deal on Amazon

Samsung's Tab S9 is the current top-of-the-range 11-inch tablet in the Galaxy range – yes, there's a Tab S10 series, but that was reserved for the Ultra in the UK – and this iPad Air-like rival has now dropped in price massively as part of Amazon's best offers.

Launched back in 2023, the Tab S9 is the best Android rival to the Apple iPad Air, thanks to a slim profile, high-quality display, and top-level performance.

It's an 11-inch display, so the perfect size for most people – the Plus and Ultra models are pretty massive – so whether you're streaming, drawing, editing, or just browsing, it's good for the lot. There's also an S Pen stylus included in the box, so that drawing angle isn't an extra accessory.

Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip – not the current gen, of course, which is Snapdragon 8 Elite – which remains fast and efficient enough. Just like the best Android phones, it means you can run more demanding tasks – such as games – without lag, while expecting decent battery life too.

The Tab S9 runs Samsung’s One UI, which is very smart, making the tablet intuitive to navigate – plus it has a whole suite of Galaxy AI features for artificial intelligence-assisted editing, translation and summaries to speed up your workflow.

This tablet is also durable thanks to an Armor Aluminium body and IP68-rated protection from the elements. But the real take-away is that the price has dropped so significantly: it's now the lowest-ever, as I've verified on CamelCamelCamel, and that makes it a total 5-star bargain.

If you have been scouring the internet and the best Black Friday deals for one of the best iPads then, well, we might be about to put an end to that laborious task for you. Because this one's a 5-star deal.

Check out the Apple iPad (10th Generation) deal on Amazon

Apple's entry level iPad – known as the iPad (10th generation), or iPad (2022) – has just hit its lowest-ever price. And when we say ever, we mean it – during its entire existence since that 2022 launch it's never been this affordable.

In the last six months, according to price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel, the iPad has sat just under the $300 mark. But for Black Friday it's has dropped to under $260.

The best news is that all four colours this iPad comes in are discounted – so whether you want bright yellow, pink, blue or classic silver, the starting price is the same. The pink is my colour of choice – but all the colours are rich and vibrant with plenty of pop.

The Apple iPad is the entry point into Apple's portfolio, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth your attention. It doesn't support Apple Intelligence, but it does have a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display that is great for watching content, dabbling in a bit of work, checking your emails, and browsing the web.

It's the tablet we use in my home as the family tablet, with thousands of apps and games to entertain little ones (and bigger ones), and a decent battery life (10 hours) to survive long car journeys or flights. And while you don't get as much power as the iPad Air (M2), there's still enough here for a slick and smooth performance.

If an iPad is on your Christmas wish list, this deal is one you really shouldn't miss. We can't see this iPad being cheaper than this until it's replaced – so snap it up while you can.

Apple may be one of the biggest companies in the world, but that doesn't free them of criticism. For many, one of the biggest gripes for years has been the slow refresh rate on devices like the non-Pro iPhones.

That's true even on the devices they released this year – the iPhone 16 still only features a 60Hz refresh rate. Rumours emerged yesterday suggesting that could change next year.

Now, it looks as though that move to higher refresh rates won't be limited to just the iPhone. According to an unnamed source on the Upgrade podcast (via 9to5Mac), similar updates will come to some iPads and the 24-inch iMac.

The full quote is as follows, "I have news on screen improvements for the next generation of the M3 iPad Air. Apple is working on a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz. They’re also working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch iMac and a next-gen studio display.”

That's an interesting upgrade. It would certainly be unusual to have a panel fixed at 90Hz. That would do away with all of the benefits associated with an adaptive refresh rate.

There's also no word on how soon to expect these updates. The iPad Air in question is anticipated for early 2025, but there has been no word on another Studio Display. The new iMac was only unveiled last week, too, so the chances of an update to that coming any time soon are slim.

Still, it's certainly a step forward for the range. The lack of faster refresh rates has been a bug bear of potential users for years at this point, with many far cheaper devices outstripping Apple's when compared spec-for-spec.

After a long time spent in the shadows, 2025 may finally be the year when Apple's display technology steps into the light.

The iPad mini has remained a fan favourite in the range, even as models like the Pro and Air got bigger and more powerful. Its smaller form made it easier to carry with you at all times and yet still offered enough screen real estate to make it preferable to using your phone.

Its latest upgrade sees this seventh generation iPad mini get the same A17 Pro chip as used in last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max phones. This is a considerable jump in performance over the A15 chip in the previous generation, and even more so than the A14 chip in the current iPad 10th generation.

Most importantly, that A17 Pro chip makes the iPad mini able to run the new Apple Intelligence features that are coming to iPadOS 18 later this year. That in turn, makes this the cheapest device that Apple currently sells that is AI ready.

Beyond AI though, the new mini has bigger storage options, faster Wi-Fi connection and is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, its flagship stylus. This makes the tablet even more suited for creatives.

How much is the iPad mini A17 Pro?

Starting from £499 / $499 the iPad mini A17 Pro comes in a choice of four colours, three storage sizes and both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus Cellular versions. The Wi-Fi + Cellular option requires a data contract for its 5G connection and starts from £649 / $649.

The base model this year is double that of the 6th generation iPad mini, at 128GB, while a higher capacity 512GB model has also been added to the mix, for those that want to store more files locally.

For the top spec model, with cellular connection and 512GB storage, it will cost you £949 / $949. The model I tested was this highest spec model in the new blue colour. Aside from the capacity and eSIM capability, this performs no differently to the base model.

What's new on the iPad mini A17 Pro?

For those not familiar with the iPad mini, the compact tablet offers some impressive features. The 8.3-inch liquid retina display is roughly a 2:3 format and considerably larger than any of the iPhone displays. This has a relatively high 2266 x 1488 pixel resolution (326 pixels per inch) and 500 nits of brightness.

The display is far from bezel-free, but is much thinner than in some of the original models. This is similar to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air devices. The front facing camera sits in the top bezel while the fingerprint sensor is in the power button on the top edge of the device.

I’m surprised the action button hasn’t made its way onto new iPads – older models used to feature a switch which could be used to stop the screen rotating, or for muting. An action button that could provide a quick way into certain functions might be useful.

The casing is made from 100% recycled aluminium and the back panel comes in a range of four colours, including a new blue (replacing the pink) and a new purple that’s more subtle than the previous purple.

There are speakers at both shorter ends of the iPad mini, to create a full stereo effect as well as two microphones. There are physical buttons on the top for the volume control and a USB-C port on the bottom for charging. There’s no physical SIM slot on the new cellular model, instead it uses just eSIMs.

It’s worth noting that for Wi-Fi connections, the iPad mini A17 Pro now features Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which gives it the ability to use the 6 Ghz band, which is more secure and offers great bandwidth for lag-free connectivity.

The only other feature you might notice on the casing is a new addition on the longer edge. This smooth section is where the Apple Pencil Pro can attach magnetically to charge. Compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro is a key addition to this new model, as it opens the tablet up for high level creative work.

The other major addition for this year’s model is the jump to the A17 Pro chip inside. As I already mentioned, this is a big step up from the 6th generation model and allows it to run all of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iPad OS 18 later this year. The iPad 10th generation will be the only model in the range not able to run these features.

Display

While an 8-inch display might sound small for a tablet, it’s actually a decent amount of real estate to work with. Plus, it features True Tone and a wide colour gamut for accurate colour representation, and an anti-reflective coating.

It’s no match for a 13-inch tablet for watching films or editing but it’s considerably better than even the 6.9-inch display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. For me, it’s the perfect tablet for an economy plane seat or a train. With the screen closer to your face you can get a great movie experience.

What you don’t get on the iPad mini is the ProMotion technology. So there’s no variable refresh rate, or faster 120Hz refresh rate for gaming. Thanks to that A17 Pro chip though, you do get the hardware accelerated ray tracing though, to make those games look even more real.

One of the best things about this display though is that it’s compatible with Apple’s latest Pencil Pro stylus. As with the previous model, it also works with the more affordable Apple Pencil (USB-C) model, but the Pencil Pro offers a lot more for creative users.

A squeeze brings up a quick menu, while a barrel roll allows you to rotate the tip as you would on a manual brush or pen – particularly helpful for calligraphy or unusual shaped brushes. It also has the hover function, so you can see exactly how the brush will land, before it even touches the surface.

The other great thing about using the Apple Pencil Pro with the iPad mini is that it attaches magnetically, and charges on the side of the device. The size of the unit is just long enough to take the full length, before it curls into the corners, making the Pencil Pro look perfect for the mini.

Camera

There are two 12MP cameras on the iPad mini – one on the front and one on the back. The rear camera has a 28mm equivalent focal length, but can also crop in for a 2x zoom (56mm equivalent). The front camera is much wider, with a 14mm equivalent, but automatically crops into around a 28mm equivalent. This allows it to use Centre Stage for video.

Even with this smaller iPad, you’d hope people wouldn’t be using the main camera as a regular camera, but it’s certainly handy to have the ability to. Where this really becomes useful is for scanning documents by simply taking a picture of them from the Notes app.

For this reason, the iPad mini doesn’t need any more than its 12MP camera on the back. The quality is decent for a 12 million pixel image and can be saved in either JPEG or the HEIC file type. The front camera also produces nice images, though here a higher res camera could be useful to allow for a full 12MP image when cropped in.

You can also shoot video on both front and back cameras, with 4K recording at up to 60fps. It will also shoot at 1080P if you don’t need that larger file size. There’s a 3x zoom available for cropping in and slo-mo video in 1080p at up to 240fps. What you don’t get here is the Spatial audio or even stereo sound on the recordings, but again, while the video looks great, you probably won’t be using an iPad to shoot professional video.

Performance and battery

The A17 Pro chip that runs the iPad Pro proved to be hugely powerful in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and is just as impressive here. Using Geekbench 6 benchmarking, it received a 7061 multi-core score on my unit, which is slightly below the average for the iPhone 15 Pro but still not that far behind the M1 chips used for the older iPad Air models.

This is a 30% increase compared to the previous iPad mini and its 6-core design is designed to handle both performance heavy and everyday tasks with ease. Similarly the GPU scores are just fractionally behind those of the iPhone 15 Pro models, but miles higher than the 6th generation iPad mini and its A15 chip. This is a 25% increase and also includes the hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing, which is four times faster than software-based solutions.

The other advantage of this new chip is that it’s more efficient with power usage, which in turns means a longer battery life. Battery life is listed as 10 hours for surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video, or nine hours for cellular use. In practice you can easily get a couple of days use out of the mini, if you’re not using it constantly. It’s certainly an all day battery, and more.

Operating system

While both the 5th and 6th generation iPad mini models are able to run iPadOS 18, the new A17 Pro model is the only one capable of running the Apple Intelligence features it includes. These features include new writing tools, image creation and a more powerful Siri voice assistant.

There’s lots more that iPadOS 18 can do though, especially with the help of the Apple Pencil Pro (or Pencil USB-C). The handwriting recognition in Notes allows you to clean up your handwriting and event convert it into text. You can even write equations by hand and have it solve them for you in your own style of writing. You can also use the Pencil with the calculator app to create expressions or plot graphs.

The customisation of the home screen is also a nice feature on iPadOS 18, with the ability to break the regular grid and have a layout that suits your needs, or background image. Being able to change the colour and size of icons is also pretty neat. I’m a big fan of the darker look or giving them all a tint to match my background image.

My other favourite feature of iPadOS 18 is the new Passwords app, which finally offers a viable replacement to third-party password managers. It allows you to sync the app between devices and keep not only account passwords but also Wi-Fi passwords passkeys and verification codes.

Should I buy the iPad mini A17 Pro?

If you’re looking for a smaller format tablet, the iPad mini remains a great choice. Thanks to the chip upgrade, this is now a hugely powerful device that can easily fit inside a jacket pocket. It’s perfect for travel or just keeping in touch on the move.

What the iPad mini A17 Pro isn’t is a laptop replacement. This is very much designed to touch and draw. There’s no Magic Keyboard option as there is for the Pro and Air models. Even the base level iPad has a Magic Keyboard Folio accessory. For the mini your only choice is a third party model.

If you want to explore Apple’s Intelligence features when they launch later this year, the iPad mini is the cheapest way to get access to them. Though you will need to wait until December in the UK for them to come – and update the software. However, you can preview some of the features using the Public Beta.

Like many iPad mini fans, I would have loved to see an even more powerful chip used to create an iPad mini Pro. However, outside of heavy video and audio editing tools, the A17 Pro chip is more than capable.

Considering that price point, it’s definitely an appealing option and a slight relief to see this form factor stay in the range. I can see the added features here making it a popular alternative to the base level iPad 10th generation, without stretching as far as the iPad Air M2.

Also consider

If you are looking for a laptop replacement, to type and edit on, it’s worth looking at the iPad Air M2 instead. For an extra £100/$100, this 11-inch tablet gives you an M2 chip, that’s faster than most laptops and a central camera for when you’re using it in a landscape format. It’s going to be better for watching films on too, though you’ll need a bit more room on your desk or tray table to do so.

It had been so long since the last iPad mini that I was starting to worry that we’d seen the last of this pocket-sized tablet. I first reviewed the iPad mini 2 many years ago and always found it to be one of the most useful tablets in the range.

While it offered a much larger screen to my phone, it was still a very pocketable device. That meant that you could always carry it with you. While my phone may have got bigger the iPad has largely remained unchanged.

The latest iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the seventh generation of the product and comes with a few key features that make it the best iPad mini to date. Arguably it’s the most useful model in the range, depending on your other devices.

As it goes on sale this week, here are a few reasons I think this is the model to go for right now.

1. Small size

Having a big screen can be handy when you have editing work to do, but a 13-inch iPad is not that much smaller than a MacBook Air, so you’re not really saving that much on space. The iPad mini is less than two-thirds the size and still sports a decent 8.3-inch screen that feels considerably bigger than any phone.

2. Apple Intelligence

The new iPad mini uses the same A17 Pro as featured in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Principally, that means that it is powerful enough to run all of Apple’s new intelligence features, which are due to launch over the next few months. It’s an even cheaper way to get these features than even the iPhone 16.

3. Apple Pencil Pro support

While the previous mini supported the standard USB-C Apple Pencil, this new model allows the advanced Pencil Pro to be used. The Pencil Pro, which can be bought separately, provides more realistic pencil features, such as barrel roll, a squeeze function to bring up a quick menu and hover, to see exactly where you’re about to put a mark. It makes working even on this smaller screen, precise and accurate.

4. More storage

The base level iPad mini is now 128GB, as opposed to 64GB, and there’s a new top spec model with 512GB capacity. That means that you can keep more files locally for use on the move. Whether it’s films, songs, photos or editing projects, you don’t have to rely on cellular or Wi-Fi coverage to access your data – especially useful for travelling.

5. Better video calls

If you’ve ever tried to have a video call on your phone, you’ll know having to hold it in place can get tiring and it’s bound to slip if you rest it on the desk. The iPad mini features an ultra-wide front camera with Centre Stage so you can get perfectly framed. With the smart folio case, it can sit up on its own on the desk and look as professional as it would from a laptop.

The sudden news this week that Apple is to launch its much-rumoured iPad Mini 7 update – which was previously thought to be dead and done – has set the T3 staff into a state of, for better or worse, meltdown. Clearly there's still a lot of love for the small iPad (reviewed here in its 6th Gen version) – some even calling it the best iPad of the bunch!

T3's News Editor has already pre-ordered one, while T3's Social Media Editor has finally been proven correct that Apple would, indeed, upgrade its smallest slate. I, on the other hand, am at the opposite end of the slate-scale-ometer and wondering, "hey, Apple, where's my iPad Ultra?".

I know, there's the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M4 processor that probably does everything under the sun that I could possibly need. It's a great-looking slate, too, as you can see from T3's studio-shot gallery of images, below. Most will kit it out with a Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard as a stand-in replacement for one of the best MacBooks, mind.

So why would I want a so-called iPad Ultra? For me it's not about the power factor. The M4 is already proven to be a beast – indeed, that generation hasn't even made it to the MacBook Pro as yet, but presumably will (in Pro/Max new forms) at Apple's next event, predicted to be a quiet online-only showing at the end of this month.

It's actually about the scale. Samsung has long been invested in its best tablet, most recently the Galaxy S10 Ultra, in offering the most significant scale of current slates. Sure, that's an Android tablet and there's no direct compare to Apple's iPad range in terms of software, but its 14.6-inch display along the diagonal measure, in 16:10 aspect ratio, is huge.

Apple doesn't seem so keen to invest in such a comparable idea in the iPad line-up. But that's exactly the kind of MacBook Air replacement I'd be considering in an iPad purchase, were it to be real.

Although, in the same breath, that highlights why Apple seemingly isn't looking to create such a large-scale iPad: it'd be too close to separate it from other products. Having done away with the 12-inch MacBook some five years ago, the smallest laptop in Apple's range is now the 13-inch MacBook Air (a 15-inch model is also available), with the MacBook Pro models coming in larger-scale 14-inch and 16-inch variants.

Perhaps it's just a pipe dream of mine, then, but I don't think I'm the only one who'd rather have an iPad Ultra than an iPad Mini. Even if the screen size came close to some MacBook models, the key addition of touchscreen control and Apple Pencil compatibility would be enough to set it apart in my view. I'm all for keeping this dream alive, though, so g'warn Apple, let's have an iPad Ultra on the cards already...

We've been waiting years for a new iPad mini and Apple only goes and sneaks one onto its store with very little fanfare.

Not that we're complaining though, as the iPad mini remains among the best iPads and the new model is now available to pre-order with some significant upgrades underneath the hood.

For starters, the new model runs on the same A17 Pro chip that drives last year's top-level iPhones – the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. That's important as the new mini will support Apple Intelligence features when they start to arrive later this month.

You also get faster wireless connectivity, with the tablet now coming with Wi-Fi 6E tech. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model supports 5G too, which uses eSIM to hook-up with the network of your choice. And there's now a USB-C port rather than Lightning for charging, which Apple claims is two-times faster for data transfer.

And finally, the iPad mini 7 supports the Apple Pencil Pro – the sensor-packed latest stylus from the brand that was launched in May. This makes the iPad mini more than just a travel companion, it's now a serious creative tool, too.

Many of the other specifications are similar to its three year-old predecessor. You get an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2266 x 1488) and a 12-megapixel rear camera that is Smart HDR 4-enabled.

The front camera uses a 12-megapixel sensor too, plus an ultra-wide lens. It can record video up to 1080p 30fps, while the rear can capture up to 4K 60fps footage.

Centre Stage is available for video calling, which makes sure you are always in the centre of the frame, even if you're moving around.

Touch ID is on board for security, with the sensor hidden underneath the power button.

The new iPad mini is available to pre-order now in Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Gray.

It's priced from £499 / $499 / AUD$799 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, £649 / $649 / AUD$1,049 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version, and will ship from Wednesday 23 October 2024.

As we reported last week, Apple's M4 Macs are on track for a late 2024 launch. And we may have the exact date for that launch event – 1 November.

That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, whose sources tell him that Apple is planning its next big launch event for the beginning of November. It's also planning to release iOS 18.1 a few days before, on 28 October. This will officially bring Apple Intelligence to US customers.

The UK launch of Apple Intelligence is still planned for December.

In addition to the M4 Macs, Gurman says that Apple is also (finally) planning to launch the revamped iPad mini at the same November launch. Here's what to expect.

Apple November 2024 launch event: what's coming?

According to Gurman, we'll see "at least some of" the following new hardware in November:

• Low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip (code-named J604).
• High-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 chips (J614 and J616).
• Revamped Mac mini in M4 and M4 Pro chip configurations (J773).
• Refreshed iMac with an M4 chip (J623).
• Refreshed iPad mini (J410).

And Apple also plans to launch more devices in early 2025:

• 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M4 (J613 and J615).
• Revamped iPhone SE (V59).
• Refreshed 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models (J607 and J637).
• New Magic Keyboards for the updated iPad Air line (R307 and R308).
• Upgraded AirTag item finder accessory (B589).

There are also new versions of the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, but they're not due imminently. The best guess is currently summer for the Studio and later in the year for the Pro.

We're expecting big things from the iPhone SE 4. According to recent reports, it's set to be one of the most impressive SE upgrades yet, with a specification that'll bring it very close to Apple's flagship iPhones.

It's said to be launching in early 2025, and a new report claims that not only is that launch on track but we'll also see some impressive updates to the iPad Air too.

The news comes via Bloomberg, which says that the iPhone SE 4 will be dumping the Touch ID button in favour of Face ID and the familiar iPhone display notch. The design is deliberately being made more like the most expensive iPhones to "entice budget-minded shoppers", especially in the Chinese market. 

The SE 4 is also reportedly compatible with Apple Intelligence, and that means a significant spec bump. The current system requirements for Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro or any of the iPhone 16 models, so that could imply that the iPhone SE 4 will be quite the pocket rocket.

Apple iPad Air 2025: what to expect

The report also says that there are two new iPad Airs coming in early 2025 with unspecified "internal improvements".

However, the most interesting update may be to the Magic Keyboard for both the 11 and 13-inch Airs. That "will bring some of the features of the iPad Pro keyboard downmarket," Bloomberg says.

There may also be an earlier than expected update to the iPad mini, which may arrive before the end of 2024.

With the iPhone 16 launch out of the way, Apple is preparing a flurry of new products and a move to the M4 processor for all of its Macs. We're expecting to see the first batch of M4 Macs in November 2024, including new MacBook Pros, an iMac and a dramatically different Mac mini.

M4 versions of the Mac Pro and Mac Studio are currently scheduled for 2025.

When it comes to the best tablets, it's clear that Apple has been a dominant force in the game with a successful slew of amazing iPads. But Samsung is the leader in the Android slate space, with its Galaxy Tab line proving a strong alternative – and its latest models have beaten Apple to the artificial intelligence punch, too.

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra are the latest in Samsung's long lineage of tablets, delivering 12.4-inch and 14.6-inch OLED displays respectively, while upgrading the performance compared to the Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra predecessors. We particularly loved the Ultra here at T3, the mega-tablet proving to be mega-impressive. 

You're likely either going to be on team iPad or team Android when it comes to your ecosystem, but Samsung is offering a compelling high-end option in these new tablets – in particular thanks to the bundled S Pen stylus that comes in that box. That will give these new slates more intended purpose from the off – something that some Android tablet competitors haven't capitalised on so well. 

The two new Galaxy Tab S10 slates offer more power – 18% CPU uplift and 28% GPU boost according to Samsung, if you get excited by percentages – but that additional power is there for a distinctive purpose. Yes, it's for better AI performance, with a 14% NPU (that's neural processing unit) improvement on the score sheet too. Apple Intelligence hasn't yet rolled out in full, so Samsung is clearly strong-arming its approach here. 

In some respects the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra are like giant versions of the best Android phones. You get access to the full Google Play Store suite of productivity and Android games, plus Samsung's Galaxy AI features for better productivity across photo editing, transcriptions, summaries and suggestions. 

Specific headline features include Note Assist, which can automatically transcribe PDFs and tweak your handwriting for greater legibility; Sketch to Image, an AI image generating app; Circle to Search for easy S Pen-based search based on anything on-screen you wish to circle for context; and Samsung's Air Command with AI adding a pop-up menu so you can easily navigate between apps without the usual Android rigmarole. 

Interestingly there is also a certified IP-rating, meaning these new Galaxy Tabs can resist a splash, downpour, or even dousing in sand or dust. Samsung's enhanced Armour Aluminium promises further robustness, too, if you're a bit handsy with your tablet treatment. 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra will be available from 4 October, in Moonstone Grey or Platinum Silver finishes. There are Wi-Fi only and 5G variants. Pricing for the 5G range starts at £1149 ($1530 / AU$2240) for the Plus and £1349 ($1800 / AU$2635) for the Ultra (noting those regional prices are equivalents by currency conversion – official US and AU pricing is forthcoming). Wi-Fi variants start at £999 ($1335 / AU$1940) for the Plus and £1199 ($1600 / AU$2330) for the Ultra.

We've had multiple credible reports that Apple is planning an event in October 2024, and that in addition to the M4 Macs it'll also feature a new low-cost iPad. But a well-connected industry insider suggests that the iPad may take longer to arrive.

We might still see a new iPad during the event, but it's likely to be the next generation of the iPad mini. 

The insider in question is Ross Young, who has eyes and ears inside the display panel business. And those eyes and ears tell him that the display panels for the new low-cost iPad won't begin until October. That's when you'd expect shipments to begin for an early 2025 launch, not an October 2024 one.

What to expect from Apple's October M4 event and beyond

If Young is correct and the low-cost iPad is taking a bit longer, we can still expect to see M4 versions of MacBook Pros, the Mac mini and maybe a new iPad mini too at the Apple event in October. After that, the M4 MacBook Air is likely to launch in the first quarter of 2025 – which would fit with display panels shipping in October – with the new iPad appearing either at the same time or slightly before it.

That fits with predictions by other Apple watchers such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who also predicts an early 2025 MacBook Air based on October shipments.

What we don't currently know is why the iPad is slightly later. Apple normally unveils its latest iPads at one of two points in the year: early summer, which is when we saw the latest iPad Air this year, and late autumn, which is when the M4 Mac event is taking place. As yet it's unclear whether the change from the usual schedule is because of practical issues, marketing issues or something more mysterious. But for now it might be wise to hang on if you're thinking of buying Apple's entry-level iPad. The iPad Air, however, is a super-safe buy.

It's taken slightly longer than with the iPhone, but Apple is finally cracking open the floodgates where third-party app stores on the iPad are concerned.

With the arrival of iPadOS 18, which will be available as an update for people to download and install today, Monday 16 September, users who are residents of EU states will be able to install other app stores if they choose to. Unfortunately though, that doesn't apply to US users, nor those in the UK at present. 

This all comes back to the long shadow of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which Apple has been wrestling with since it came into force, along with other tech giants. The DMA insists that platform owners relinquish their monopoly on certain services on those platforms. 

Apple was given six months to modify iPadOS to comply with the regulations, and therefore to add this third-party app store loophole along with a few other changes that aren't quite so user-facing. That deadline is approaching, which is why the change is now going live. 

Given how powerful newer iPad models are, such as the M4 iPad Pro, one big outcome of this change will be on the gaming front, where Epic Games has already confirmed that it'll bring its app store to the platform to let people download and play Fortnite without needing any workarounds. 

So, if you live in an EU country and own an iPad that is compatible with iPadOS 18, this is a great incentive to get the software update downloaded and installed when you can. 

If you need more, another outcome of the DMA, according to Engadget, is that third-party web browsers have been freed up to use more of their own tech, rather than being restricted to Apple's WebKit system.

This could mean that browsers like Chrome or Firefox get to bring a little more of their own personality to the platform down the line. 

Netflix has just cut off a few older iPhone and iPad models by updating its app to a version that can only run on iOS 17 or 18.

Opening the old version of that app on a phone running iOS 16 will now display a message: "We’ve updated the Netflix app! To use the latest version, install iOS 17 or later". That doesn't leave a huge amount of wriggle room.

This means that you either need to update your phone to iOS 17 or later, or face the prospect of an upgrade if you want to keep using Netflix, and it cuts off a few older Apple devices that actually don't have compatibility with the newer operating system software.

These include: 

• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPad 5th-gen (2017)
• iPad Pro 1st-generation

So, it's obviously quite old hardware that's affected, given that Apple typically allows phones to update to new iOS versions for around five years after they come out, if not slightly longer.

However, this will still be bad news for anyone running those older devices – especially in the case of the iPad models that can't update. After all, while a super-old phone can be a bit obstructive in many cases, plenty of us keep older tablets around until they're basically non-functional, so long as they can still stream movies and TV shows.

It would probably have been nice to get some warning from Netflix, admittedly, but this sort of software support ending can't come as a huge surprise on phones that might have been released all the way back in 2017 at the earliest.

The good news is that if this is all relevant to you, and you're therefore in the market for a new smartphone, we've got lists to help you out with buying advice. From our overall list of the best phones on the market to a round-up that specialises in more affordable options, we've reviewed so many phones that you'll struggle to find a model we haven't tested. 

The heyday of the best tablets clamouring to knock Apple off the top spot has calmed down somewhat — many Android tablet-makers have scaled back and reset expectations, given the success of the best iPads on the market right now. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for competition. 

Due out next year, the Acer Iconia X12 is a 12.6-inch tablet — therefore an iPad Pro-rivalling scale — also offers a suite of sold-separately accessories to offer an adjacent alternative to one of the best laptops. Add a stylus pen for Apple Pencil-rivalling control, and a Bluetooth keyboard for easy typing, and Acer’s Android alternative sounds like an alluring purchase. 

Key to its appeal is the price point — as the title of this very piece alludes to — with a confirmed $349 asking price expected for its January 2025 on-sale date. That’s likely to be a £349 like-for-like price, but pricing specifics and wider availability are yet to be confirmed. 

No, the Acer Iconia range isn’t going to offer Apple-rivalling power, nor will it deliver Apple Intelligence features — which are expected to be further elaborated upon at the next Apple Special Event, which you can watch on 9 September — but the MediaTek Helio G99 processor on board the X12 is going to be light on battery, so great for longevity. 

To further support that, the Acer Iconia X12 harnesses a 10,000mAh battery within — making it around double that of the best phones available right now — but which should last for a significant period of time per charge. Acer quotes ‘fast-charging’, too, although there are no specifics provided as to how speedy that offering will be.

There’s plenty of scope to spec out the Acer tablet fairly nicely, too, with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, but really it’s that price point which is going to see this Android tablet sail along. And, at just 6.7mm thick, it’ll be like housing one of the best Android phones in your bag — except, of course, at a much larger 12.6-inch scale.

Apple announced two new iPads earlier this year in the form of the iPad Pro that has been the first Apple device to use the Apple Silicon M4 chip, and the iPad Air, which runs on the M2 chip and came in a new 13-inch model. 

It wasn't just the new iPads that were announced at the 'Let Loose' event in May, however. Apple also revealed the Apple Pencil Pro, which has a nice squeeze gesture, and a new Magic Keyboard that has an aluminium base and extra function row. The Apple Pencil Pro was supported by both the iPad Pro (M4) and the iPad Air (M2), but the Apple Magic Keyboard was exclusive to the iPad Pro (M4). 

With that knowledge in your locker, it might now not come as too much of a surprise that Apple is said to be working on a new Magic Keyboard for the other iPad models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed in his Power On Newsletter (picked out by 9to5Mac) that Apple suppliers were "hard at work on a new iPad keyboard for next year". 

Gurman added that it would be "a low-end version that may be designed for an entry-level iPad or the new iPad Airs" and that it would "lack pricier components like the metal palm rest, but will have some new features – perhaps including a function row". 

According to the newsletter, Gurman says the more affordable keyboard should be released "by the middle of next year if all goes to plan". 

That's quite an interesting timeframe however, as Apple is rumoured to be updating both its iPad mini and the iPad (10th generation) before the year is out. Given the latest redesigned Magic Keyboard arrived alongside the iPad Pro (M4) it was designed for, you might have thought the more affordable version would arrive alongside its respective iPad counterpart too. 

Still, it will likely be worth the wait even if we do have to wait a few extra months after the new entry-level iPad arrives. Hopefully in that time it might lose a few pounds and launch a little lighter than the current Magic Keyboard Folio offering too. 

If you're heading back to class in the next few weeks, there's a whole array of top tech which can help you to settle in. Whether you're about to embark on your first year, or you're headed back for those all important final exams, having the right setup can be crucial to make the process smoother.

For many, having a MacBook or an iPad is the top pick. Pairing seamlessly with other devices like the iPhone or your Apple Watch, these models offer a great option for all kinds of work.

Right now, students can get a range of top deals across the iPad and MacBook range. That includes freebies and discounts when you buy via the Apple Store.

On top of the usual education pricing Apple offers – netting you a cool 10% off the purchase price of your new tech – the current deal adds extra value for students. You'll get 20% off the value of an AppleCare+ plan – perfect for ensuring your device is safe and secure.

As if that wasn't enough, you'll also snag a free gift card. Those picking up a new iPad – like the iPad Air or iPad Pro models – will get an £80 gift card to spend in store.

If you opt for a MacBook – again, including a range of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models – you'll get £120 to spend. That's a great add on, and should help you to pick up some of the peripheral bits and pieces for less.

Oh, and don't think it's only students who get the fun, either. If you're a teacher or staff member at a university reading this and seething – great news! You too can snag the gift card deal when you buy yourself a Mac or iPad to teach those bright young minds.

If you're a fan of technology, it's hard not to appreciate the work of Apple. Whether you'd consider yourself a fan or not, their product range has pushed the envelope, with icons like the MacBook and the iPhone retaining widespread popularity.

One area where the brand has fallen behind, though, is in the world of foldable phones. Rarely one to ride the wave in its infancy, Apple has stayed out of the market altogether, despite repeated calls from enthusiasts.

Still, that's said to be coming to an end. Never one to do things by halves, the brand are reportedly looking to create a foldable version of just about everything they offer – including the iPad.

However, that project looks like it has suffered some delays now. That's according to Ming-Chi Kuo – a respected tech industry analyst, who generally has great insights about Apple supply chains.

Kuo confirms a few different spec points. First up, the final display size is confirmed at 18.8-inches. That was previously expected to be a dual offering, with a larger 20.25-inch model also on offer. However, the larger model has been scrapped, making this a one-size-fits-all device.

Kuo also notes that the project has been delayed – and pretty severely, to boot. While the original mass production was scheduled for the first half of 2026, that is said to now be late 2027, or even 2028. That will come as a disappointment to users who are waiting patiently for the brand to enter the innovative new space.

The report goes on to suggest that there is a little bit of a mismatch between some of the reported names. While many have been discussing the possibility of a foldable iPad, Kuo instead suggests that the device will be called a foldable MacBook.

That seems unusual to me. Quite aside from the fact that regular MacBooks fold anyhow, I can't quite work out how such a device would work. If they retain a keyboard element, would that also fold in half? Or, if they opt to make it all screen... well, isn't that really just an iPad? I guess I've got a long while to mull those questions over...

One of the oddest devices I've ever tested is the Amazon Echo Show 10, whose screen follows your movements as you move around. And it could be the shape of iPads to come, if the device described in a new report by Bloomberg turns out to be a shipping product.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on an iPad-style device that's attached to a base by a thin robotic arm. It's planned to launch in 2026 or possibly 2027 and will have a price tag of around a thousand dollars, which is likely to mean a thousand pounds here in the UK. That's roughly four times the current street price of Amazon's mobile display and nearly seven times the price of the Echo Hub. 

So what is Apple up to?

Apple's robot arm: what we know so far

According to Gurman, the device would have full 360-degree rotation as well as vertical tilting, and it would be your "smart home command center", a home security monitor and a video device for FaceTime calls. It would offer both Siri and Apple Intelligence, and it would recognise different voices.

With the exception of the physical movement, iPads are already capable of those things – and even the movement is sort-of possible via CentreStage, which adjusts the camera to follow your movements. CentreStage doesn't spin your iPad around 360 degrees, of course, but I do wonder if that's a feature worth spending £1,000 on an iPad for when you could buy an iPad Pro and a lazy Susan and still have money left over.

According to Gurman, the device has moved from experimental to priority and is being overseen by Kevin Lynch. Lynch oversaw the Apple Watch and, less successfully, the Apple Car. It's unclear whether this device is a different one to the rumoured HomePod with large display we've been hearing about for some time, or if it's the same product. But it seems that Apple is recommitting to smart home tech after some years of lagging behind Google and Amazon.