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For most people, the 11-inch iPad Air with M4, 128GB and Wi-Fi is the best buy in the October 2026 sale: Tom’s Guide and Macworld reported it at $649, compared with a $749 list price. That is a $100 discount—not proof that every iPad has returned to its pre-increase price or reached an all-time low. The reported Amazon sale runs October 6–7, so check the live listing, configuration and stock before buying.
Which iPad should you buy?
Choose based on how you will use the tablet, not just the discount. The Air is the sensible full-size choice for most buyers; the mini is for portability; the standard iPad is the lower-cost option; and the Pro makes sense when its premium display and performance matter to your work.
| Model and configuration | Reported US offer | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| 11-inch iPad Air, M4, 128GB, Wi-Fi | $649, down from $749; reported by Tom’s Guide and Macworld in October 2026 | Most people who want a full-size iPad |
| iPad mini, A17 Pro, 256GB, Wi-Fi | $599, down from $699; reported by Tom’s Guide in October 2026 | Readers who prioritize a compact, portable tablet |
| 13-inch iPad Pro, M5, 256GB, Wi-Fi | About $1,399, down from $1,499; reported by Tom’s Guide in October 2026 | Creative or other demanding work that benefits from premium performance and display |
| A16 iPad | No specific sale price established in the cited October coverage | Budget-conscious buyers who need a full-size iPad and find a compelling discount |
| 13-inch iPad Air, M4 | No specific sale price established in the cited October coverage | Buyers who want a larger Air screen without moving to the Pro |
These are reported US retailer offers, not guaranteed live prices or inventory. Confirm that the listing matches the chip, screen size, storage and Wi-Fi or cellular configuration you want.
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Why the 11-inch M4 iPad Air is the best buy for most people
At the reported $649 price for the 128GB Wi-Fi configuration, the 11-inch Air balances a useful full-size screen with current-generation performance, without the Pro’s premium price. Macworld named it its best Prime Day buy, and Tom’s Guide considers the M4 Air the best tablet for most people despite the modest nature of its upgrades.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
For everyday browsing, email, video calls, streaming and reading, the Air is more tablet than many buyers need—but its broader capability makes it a safer choice if you also plan to use demanding apps or keep the device for several years. Consider storage and connectivity before comparing prices: the reported offer is for 128GB and Wi-Fi, not cellular.
Choose the iPad mini if portability comes first
The A17 Pro iPad mini has an 8.3-inch display and a compact design. Tom’s Guide reported the 256GB Wi-Fi model at $599, down from $699. It is a better fit than a full-size iPad if you want a device that is easier to carry for reading, travel or quick tasks; the smaller screen is the trade-off for that portability.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Macworld has reported that a new mini could arrive soon and might use an OLED display, but those are rumors, not Apple-confirmed specifications or release plans. Buy the current model for its present size and features, rather than counting on a rumored refresh.
When the standard A16 iPad is the right call
The A16 iPad is Apple’s entry-level model and can suit common tasks such as browsing, streaming, reading, email, video calls and use by children. But Macworld says it is currently the only iPad Apple sells without Apple Intelligence support, and advises waiting for the expected next generation unless the current model is substantially discounted. A refresh is an expectation, not a confirmed launch date.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
If you need an iPad now, compare the A16’s actual price and configuration with the Air offer. A small saving may not justify giving up the Air’s additional capability; a much better discount could make the standard model the more sensible purchase for basic use.
Pay for an iPad Pro only when its strengths matter
The 11- or 13-inch M5 iPad Pro is aimed at people whose professional creative work or other demanding workloads can use its high-end performance and display. Macworld warns that Pro power will be overkill for many buyers. Tom’s Guide reported the 13-inch, 256GB Wi-Fi version at about $1,399, compared with $1,499. Even discounted, it is a premium purchase; do not treat the lower price as a reason to buy capabilities you will not use.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Want a bigger screen without Pro pricing? Consider the 13-inch Air
The 13-inch M4 iPad Air offers a larger screen than the 11-inch Air while retaining the Air positioning below the Pro. Macworld notes that it lacks ProMotion, a display feature available on the Pro models. If you want a larger workspace for documents, drawing or split-screen use, that trade-off may be worthwhile.
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A keyboard case can make the large Air more practical for laptop-like work, but check that any case is compatible with the exact iPad model. Include accessory cost in your budget: the tablet’s sale price alone does not represent the cost of a keyboard setup.
Best Value
Are iPads really almost back to their old prices?
Macworld reports that Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026. Its October coverage presents retailer discounts as a chance to save against the new list prices, but the available evidence does not show that every model has returned to its earlier price. Nor does it establish that the listed offers are all-time lows.
That distinction matters because a discount from a list price is not the same as a verified price-history record. Which? cautions that retailers sometimes use misleading “was” and “before” prices to make deals appear stronger. Its deal checks examine six calendar months of pre-publication pricing; that describes Which?’s method, not an independent price-history check for every Amazon listing in this sale.
For a sound comparison, check the exact model and configuration, the offer price, the stated comparison price, the retailer and the date. Treat the prices above as snapshots reported for the US October 6–7 event, not as lasting prices. Macworld also published selected UK prices, but they are a separate market and should not be compared directly with the US offers.
Quick Recap
Check these details before you order
- Exact model: Verify screen size and chip—such as 11-inch M4 Air or 13-inch M5 Pro—not merely the product family.
- Storage: Match the listed capacity to your needs; the highlighted Air and Pro offers are 128GB and 256GB respectively.
- Connectivity: The cited deals are Wi-Fi configurations. If you need cellular service, compare that version separately.
- Live price and availability: The reported Amazon offers are tied to October 6–7, 2026, and do not guarantee that stock or the same price remains available.
- Accessories: If you plan to add a keyboard, pencil or case, check compatibility with the precise model and factor its cost into the decision.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
