Should I buy an iPad now or wait? Best time to buy an iPad

When is the best time to buy an iPad

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The best time to buy an iPad is during major shopping events, particularly Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, when retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart typically offer their biggest discounts.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November/December)

Black Friday is usually the best time of the year to buy an iPad. In 2025, every current iPad model reached its lowest-ever price during the Black Friday sales, with discounts of up to $150. The entry-level iPad (A16), for example, fell to just $274.

If you can wait until November, Black Friday is your best opportunity to get the lowest prices on almost every iPad model. See Black Friday iPad deals.

Amazon Prime Day (June/July and October)

Amazon now holds two major Prime Day sales each year – one in June or July and another in October – and both regularly feature excellent iPad deals.

The June 2026 event was particularly significant because in the middle of the sale Apple increased iPad prices by $100 to $300, which made the discounts even larger.

The October Prime Day sale often matches or comes close to Black Friday discounts and is another excellent time to buy. It is also possible that the new iPads will have launched by then. See Prime Day iPad deals.

During Apple’s Back to School promotion

If you’re a student, teacher, or work in education, Apple’s Education Store offers year-round discounts on most iPads. During Apple’s annual Back to School promotion in the summer, eligible buyers also receive a free gift card, making it one of the best times to buy directly from Apple.

Note that the criteria are very strict for shopping in Apple’s Education Store. Customers need to verify their eligibility through UNiDAYS before accessing Education Store pricing.

When shouldn’t you buy an iPad?

The worst time to buy an iPad is just before Apple releases a new model. You’ll often end up paying full price for a device that’s about to be replaced, while retailers discount the outgoing model to clear stock.

As of July 2026, the entry-level iPad (A16) and iPad mini (A17 Pro) fall into that category, with both expected to be refreshed before the end of 2026.

There are a few other situations where it’s worth thinking twice before buying:

If a major sale is just around the corner: If Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday is only a few weeks away, it’s usually worth waiting. These sales consistently offer the biggest iPad discounts of the year, often saving you $100 or more compared with buying at full price.

If you want a laptop replacement: An iPad can replace a laptop for some people, but it becomes much less compelling once you add accessories. A Magic Keyboard or similar case can add hundreds of dollars to the cost, bringing the total close to – or even above – the price of a MacBook. With the arrival of the $699 MacBook Neo, the value equation has shifted further. A similarly equipped iPad and keyboard can cost more while still being limited to iPadOS and mobile apps rather than full desktop software.

If you’re buying an older iPad: Discounts on older or refurbished iPads can be tempting, but always check how long they’ll continue to receive software updates. iPadOS 27 drops support for several older models, including the 2018 iPad Pro (3rd generation), 2019 iPad mini (5th generation) and 2020 iPad (8th generation). Buying an unsupported model means you’ll miss future features, security updates and, eventually, app compatibility.

If you want Apple Intelligence: Apple Intelligence isn’t available on every iPad. It requires an M1 chip or later (iPad Air and iPad Pro) or the A17 Pro chip in the current iPad mini. The entry-level iPad (A16) does not support Apple’s AI features, making it a less future-proof purchase.

If you don’t need cellular: Think carefully before paying extra for a 5G cellular model. Cellular connectivity typically adds more than $100 to the purchase price, and you’ll usually need a separate data plan. If you already carry an iPhone, using Personal Hotspot is often a far cheaper alternative.

If fast wired transfers matter: Most people won’t notice USB speeds, but they matter if you regularly transfer large files via cable. The standard iPad is limited to USB 2.0 (480Mbps), the iPad mini supports 5Gbps, the iPad Air 10Gbps, while the iPad Pro offers Thunderbolt speeds of up to 40Gbps.

What is the best iPad price right now?

Apple rarely discounts iPads. In fact, in June 2026, Apple increased iPad prices by $100 to $200, citing unprecedented component cost increases. The price rise came in the middle of Amazon’s Prime Day sale, during which we saw record-low prices. Prices that low are unlikely to return until a major sales event such as October Prime Day or Black Friday.

Right now, the best U.S. deals we are seeing are:

• $200 off iPad Pro, 13-inch, M5, 512GB at Amazon
• $200 off iPad Air, M4, 13-inch, 512GB at Amazon

In the U.K., the standout deal is:

• £35 off iPad Pro M5, 11-inch, 256GB at Amazon

Other ways to save money when buying an iPad

If you’re flexible about where and when you buy, there are several ways to reduce the cost of a new iPad.

Buy a refurbished iPad: Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store is one of the best places to save money. Refurbished iPads undergo Apple’s full testing process, receive a new battery and outer shell where required, include the same one-year warranty as a new device, and are eligible for AppleCare+. Prices are typically around 15% lower than buying new, with savings of up to $450 on some iPad Pro models.

Use Apple’s Education Store: Students, teachers, and education staff can save 5–15% through Apple’s Education Store all year round. During Apple’s annual Back to School promotion, qualifying purchases also include a free gift, such as AirPods or an Apple Pencil. In the U.S., eligibility now needs to be verified through UNiDAYS before accessing Education Store pricing. . Read: How to shop at Apple’s Education Store.

Trade in your old iPad: Apple’s Trade In programme can significantly reduce the cost of a new iPad. For the highest trade-in value, upgrade before Apple announces a replacement model, as trade-in prices typically fall once new devices are released.

Shop during major sales: The biggest discounts usually come from retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart during Prime Day and Black Friday. Apple itself rarely discounts iPads, instead offering gift cards during promotions such as Black Friday and Back to School. While those offers can be worthwhile, third-party retailers almost always provide larger cash discounts.

Is buying a refurbished iPad a good idea?

Apple

Buying a refurbished iPad is one of the best ways to save money. You can often afford a model with more storage or even an iPad Pro for the price of a new entry-level iPad.

The key is to buy refurbished, not simply used. A properly refurbished iPad has been tested, repaired if necessary, and checked to ensure it works like new. A used iPad sold privately is typically sold “as is”, with no warranty, and could even be locked to the previous owner’s Apple ID.

Buy from Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store

The safest option is Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store. Every refurbished iPad is fully tested, fitted with a new battery and outer shell where required, cleaned, and repackaged with all original accessories. You also receive:

• A one-year warranty, just like a new iPad.
• The option to purchase AppleCare+.
• Original accessories and packaging.
• Prices are typically around 15% lower than buying new.

What to look for

If you’re buying from a third-party retailer, pay attention to a few key details:

• Software support: Choose a model that will continue receiving iPadOS updates for several years. Older devices, such as the 2018 iPad Pro (3rd generation) and 2020 iPad (8th generation), no longer support iPadOS 27.
• Storage: Aim for at least 128GB. Older 32GB and 64GB models can quickly run out of space with modern apps and games.
• Condition: Check the retailer’s grading system so you know what cosmetic wear to expect.
• Warranty: Buy from a seller that includes a warranty—ideally for at least one year.

Where to buy

Apple Certified Refurbished: The safest choice, with the same warranty and support as a new iPad.

Reputable refurbishers: Retailers such as Back Market, Best Buy, and Amazon Renewed often offer deeper discounts, but always check the condition grading and warranty before buying.

If you buy from a trusted retailer and choose a model that still has years of software support ahead of it, a refurbished iPad can offer excellent value while saving you a significant amount of money.

Do you need to upgrade your current iPad?

Whether it’s time to replace your iPad depends on four things: software support, performance, battery life, and whether you’re missing features you actually want.

Your iPad no longer receives updates

The most important reason to upgrade is when your iPad stops receiving software and security updates. Apple typically provides major iPadOS updates for around six to eight years, with security updates often continuing for a while afterwards. See: How long does Apple support iPads?

As long as your iPad still receives security updates, it’s generally safe to keep using. Once those updates end, however, you’ll eventually lose app compatibility and expose yourself to increasing security risks.

As of 2026, iPads with an A14 chip or newer, or any M-series iPad, support iPadOS 27. Older models, including the 2018 iPad Pro and 2019 iPad Air, have reached the end of major software support.

It feels slow or the battery no longer lasts

Performance and battery life naturally decline with age. If apps take a long time to open, crash frequently, or the interface feels sluggish even after restarting, your iPad may be struggling to keep up.

Which are the best retailers to buy an iPad from?

Aside from Apple (View the iPad in the Apple Store and View the iPad in the Apple Store U.K). There are a number of third-party reseller that frequently discount the different iPad models.

Best for Lowest Prices

• Amazon
• B&H Photo
• Walmart
• Best Buy

Best for U.K. Buyers

• Laptops Direct
• Amazon
• KRCS
• John Lewis
• Currys

Similarly, if the battery no longer lasts through a typical day or the iPad shuts down unexpectedly, it may be time to replace the device – or at least the battery.

You want Apple Intelligence

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade today is Apple Intelligence. Apple’s AI features require an M-series chip or an A17 Pro processor.
If you own the current entry-level iPad (A16) or an older model, you won’t be able to use features such as Writing Tools, Priority Notifications, or Clean Up in Photos.

When you probably don’t need to upgrade

If your iPad still runs the latest version of iPadOS, performs well, and meets your needs, there’s little reason to replace it.

Owners of the M1 iPad Air or newer, as well as recent iPad Pro models, are unlikely to notice a dramatic difference in everyday tasks by upgrading to the latest generation. Unless you need a specific new feature or substantially more performance, you’re usually better off keeping your current iPad for another year or two.