Video summary

Which iPad should you buy in 2026?!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed: Which iPad to buy (2026 guide)

The video is a buying guide covering multiple iPad models and recommending which type of user should choose each one, with prices and key tradeoffs.

1) A16 iPad (lowest-cost option)

Key features

  • A16 chip
  • 11-inch display
  • 60Hz screen (not 120Hz)
  • Supports productivity accessories (keyboard case + USB‑C Apple Pencil (1st gen) mentioned)
  • Good for light gaming (example: Fruit Ninja)
  • Positioned as an easy, affordable iPad for everyday use and kids

Pros (as stated)

  • “One of my favorite iPads” and recommended to most people
  • Great value at the price
  • 60Hz isn’t a dealbreaker for typical use
  • Affordable enough that replacing it won’t “destroy the budget” if damaged

Cons (as stated)

  • 60Hz is worse than 120Hz models

User experience notes

  • Great for couch use, quick games, basic web/consumption
  • Productivity is doable with keyboard + pencil, but it’s not aimed at heavy creative work

Price

  • Starting at $349
  • Claim: delivers about 90–95% of what an iPad Pro does (framed as “value” vs Pro cost)

2) iPad mini (best “in your hand” / consumption pick)

Key features

  • A17 Pro chip
  • 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD
  • 60Hz display
  • Supports Apple Pencil Pro
  • Positioned for reading, note-taking, meetings (“infinite notes” without a notebook)

Pros (as stated)

  • Very portable—“hold this thing in one hand”
  • Strong performance for everyday use, gaming, and “photo editing just fine” (not video-heavy workflows)
  • Efficient battery/charging behavior: can be used throughout the week with minimal standby loss (mentioned as ~1–2% loss while sitting)
  • Great for reading at night (mentions red mode for comfort)

Cons (as stated)

  • Not the most powerful iPad (no high-end specs emphasis)
  • Not positioned as a productivity powerhouse

User experience notes

  • Best for couch use, reading, and portable note-taking
  • Good for handwritten productivity, but less ideal for heavy creators

Price

  • $499
  • Claim: will last about 5 more years
  • Recommendation: best for consumption; also good for handwritten notes/productivity-lite

3) iPad Air (best “for 99% of people” mainstream pick)

Key features

  • Uses M4 chip
  • Comes in 11-inch and 13-inch
  • 60Hz screen (no 120Hz)
  • Very bright screen (described as vibrant)
  • Strong battery/standby time

Pros (as stated)

  • Recommended for 99% of people
  • 11-inch preferred because the 13-inch is “massive” for regular daily holding/use
  • Excellent battery life:
    • If it’s your only device: 2–3 days
    • If not: about 7 days due to standby time
  • Never felt overheating; felt plenty powerful for typical work/consumption
  • Works well with video apps (60fps capability mentioned; most content is 30fps, so it’s a smooth match)

Cons (as stated)

  • Still 60Hz (not for people who specifically need 120Hz)

User experience notes

  • Great for content consumption, reading, general productivity
  • Creative/production on iPad Air is possible, but the creator says iOS still holds back some creative workflows

Price

  • $599 for 11-inch
  • $799 for 13-inch (but strongly recommended to skip the 13-inch)

4) iPad Pro (the “Grand Poobah” / creator-grade premium)

Key features

  • 120Hz display
  • Tandem OLED screen tech described for deep blacks/no bleed
  • Very high-end build quality (“paper thin,” “solid”)
  • Magic Keyboard called out as the best accessory
  • Mentioned chip: M5 (positioned as especially strong for photo/video workloads)

Pros (as stated)

  • “Nothing bad” said about performance/display—highly impressed overall
  • 120Hz smoothness and “inky jet black” OLED quality
  • Strong for pro creative work:
    • artists, writers (writers advised to go less than Pro, but Pro is capable)
    • content creators (Lightroom mentioned as great on iPad)
    • videography/photography workflows
  • Magic Keyboard “makes this thing where you can finally say, ‘What’s a computer?’”

Cons (as stated)

  • Price is the main drawback; “crazy” and “expensive”
  • Not for most people

Price

  • $999 for 11-inch
  • $1299 for 13-inch
  • Recommendation aligns with professional/paid creative output use

5) Sponsored accessories (EIP) mentioned for the A16 iPad

(Not iPads; included as product details from the subtitles.)

HyperKeys keyboard case

  • Keyboard with lots of travel
  • Full RGB keyboard (rare vs most iPad cases)
  • Full-surface click-anywhere trackpad (not just corner clicking)
  • Customizable shortcut keys (example: Procreate quick menu)
  • Strong magnet; designed to not fall out in a backpack

“Pencil X” (Apple Pencil replacement)

  • Price: $36
  • Performs “perfectly well”
  • Single/double click with app customization (example: home screen / search)
  • Comes with a metal tip; supports different tip sensitivities
  • Battery status via color light; can show battery status light

Nanotech 2 paper-feel screen protector

  • “Feels like paper”
  • Uses nanotech for smooth application
  • Claimed washable and removable multiple times

Overall comparisons / decision framing (main takeaways)

  • Best budget/value: A16 iPad ($349)
  • Best portable/reading/handheld: iPad mini ($499)
  • Best default for most people: iPad Air ($599 for 11”)
  • Best for pro creators and max display smoothness: iPad Pro ($999+, 120Hz + tandem OLED)

Unique points list (all distinct claims mentioned about the iPads)

  • A16 iPad: A16 chip; 11-inch; 60Hz acceptable; light gaming (Fruit Ninja); good for kids; keyboard case + USB‑C Pencil 1 support mentioned; $349 value; ~90–95% of iPad Pro value claim.
  • iPad mini: A17 Pro chip; 8.3-inch 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD; efficient battery/standby (1–2% standby); supports Apple Pencil Pro; best for reading (red mode comfort); supports “infinite notes”/meeting use; great gaming; claims 5-year longevity; $499; not for heavy productivity.
  • iPad Air: M4 chip; 11-inch recommended over 13-inch for everyday handling; 60Hz only; extremely bright and vibrant; good for streaming (supports 60fps); excellent battery (2–3 days if primary; ~7 days otherwise); no overheating; iOS limits some creative workflows; $599 (11) / $799 (13).
  • iPad Pro: tandem OLED screen with deep blacks; 120Hz smoothness; premium build; Magic Keyboard makes it feel like a computer; best for creators who earn from their work; Lightroom/p photography/videography praised; M5 chip noted; only downside is price; $999 (11) / $1299 (13).

Speakers/views

  • Single main narrator is present throughout; no separate speaker perspectives are clearly identified in the subtitles.

Verdict / recommendation

  • If you want the simplest “buy this” choice for most users: iPad Air (11-inch).
  • If you’re budget-focused: A16 iPad.
  • If you want the best handheld/reading experience: iPad mini.
  • Only pick the iPad Pro if you’re doing serious professional creative work and can justify the high cost.

Original video