With Apple‘s recent unveiling of the iPad Mini and the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display, the company now sells 14 different versions of the iPad.
Prices range from $329 to $829 and include three base models: the 7.9-inch iPad Mini, the 9.7-inch iPad 2 and the 9.7-inch iPad with Retina display (the iPad 2 is the oldest of the bunch).
Apple’s basic pricing formula for iPads is as follows: Each model begins with 16 gigabytes of storage and a Wi-Fi connection. Doubling the storage adds an extra $100 to the price. Adding a 3G or 4G LTE connection adds an extra $130 to the price.
Which model of iPad is “best” depends on your needs, but here are a few stats:
- The iPad Mini and iPad 2 both sport a dual-core A5 processor and a 1024×768-resolution screen.
- BUT! The iPad Mini features better front- and rear-facing cameras than the iPad 2 and the cellular models feature faster connections than the iPad 2. Also, the same amount of pixels on a 7.9-inch screen versus a 9.7-inch screen will look better on the smaller screen.
- The iPad 2 cellular model features a slower 3G connection from either AT&T or Verizon, while the cellular models of the iPad Mini and iPad with Retina display feature faster 4G LTE connections from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon.
- Performance-wise, the iPad with Retina display could be considered the “best” since it has the newest processor: Apple’s dual-core A6X with quad-core graphics. The 2048×1536-resolution screen is also better than the screens on the iPad Mini and iPad 2.
- The iPad 2 is technologically the least advanced of all the available iPad models. It’s slightly lighter and thinner than the newer iPad with Retina display, however.
- Unsurprisingly, the iPad Mini is the most portable of the bunch. It measures 7.87 inches long by 5.3 inches wide by 0.28 inches thick and weighs just shy of 0.7 pounds.
- Apple claims that all three models will get the same battery life: up to 10 hours when using the Wi-Fi connections or up to nine hours when using the cellular connections.
Here’s how the pricing breaks down, from lowest to highest:
$329 – iPad Mini with 16 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$399 – iPad 2 with 16 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$429 – iPad Mini with 32 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$459 – iPad Mini with 16 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
$499 – Retina iPad with 16 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$529 – iPad Mini with 64 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$529 – iPad 2 with 16 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 3G cellular
$559 – iPad Mini with 32 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
$599 – Retina iPad with 32 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$629 – Retina iPad with 16 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
$659 – iPad Mini with 64 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
$699 – Retina iPad with 64 gigabytes of storage and Wi-Fi
$729 – Retina iPad with 32 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
$829 – Retina iPad with 64 gigabytes of storage, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE cellular
Fun fact: The only crossover point is $529, where the 64-gigabyte iPad Mini with Wi-Fi intersects with the 16-gigabyte iPad 2 with Wi-Fi and 3G cellular.
For more info, here’s Apple’s official comparison page.