Apple’s latest iPad starts at just £329. Find out whether it’s worth buying or if you should invest in a higher-end iPad Air, Pro, or Mini.
Apple has already released two iPads in 2025, including the seventh-generation iPad Air (starting at £599) with premium features and an updated chipset. But we were most excited to test the cheaper version (£329) to see if it could still deliver the excellence we expect from Apple at any price.
Find out if Apple’s cheapest iPad (2025) can keep up and discover which iPad you should buy.
Apple’s Cheapest iPad 2025: What’s New?
The latest 11-inch iPad (2025) is an upgrade from the 2022 version and launched £170 cheaper.
When Apple’s mid-range smartphone, the iPhone 16E, launched at £179 more than the previous iPhone SE, we almost gave up hope of a cheaper tablet. But the new iPad (2025) is packed with exciting features and plenty of power, ideal for web browsing, replying to emails, playing games, or watching videos.
It’s also designed to last, with long-term updates and durable materials, making its affordable price even more attractive.
This ‘standard’ iPad now runs on the A16 Bionic chip with 6GB of RAM — new for the iPad but the same processor found in the iPhone 15. Apple has doubled the storage on the cheapest model (from 64GB to 128GB), and there are 256GB and 512GB versions if you need more. It connects via Wi-Fi 6 for faster data transfers (though Wi-Fi 7 is now the fastest).
While the upgrade list isn’t huge, it’s still a high-end iPad in many ways. The 10.9-inch screen offers a high resolution of 2,360 x 1,640 pixels. Cameras are often an afterthought on tablets, but this iPad’s are powerful enough to shoot 4K video.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Now let’s talk about the downsides — though they’re fewer than you might think.
Most notably, you don’t get Apple Intelligence, the AI-powered software features. AI can correct your writing, rewrite text in different tones, and summarize long passages into key takeaways. It also offers the latest photo editing capabilities.
Most people won’t miss these features, but if having the latest software is important to you, you’ll need to opt for a more expensive iPad.
So is this the best iPad? No. But is it the best value iPad? Probably.
Explore battery life, display quality, performance, and more in our expert review of the Apple 11-inch iPad (2025). It’s already a hugely popular iPad and often sells out at retailers since launch — but when available, it will be listed below.
How to Decide Which iPad is Right for You
There are four types of iPads to choose from, ranging from £329 to over £1,000. In addition to the cheapest iPad (2025), you have three other variants: iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The Air and Pro models come with 11-inch or 13-inch screen options.
Before spending your money, it’s important to consider how you’ll use your new iPad.
The chip in the standard iPad is fast enough for running apps for email, browsing online, and playing popular games.
An iPad Air costs nearly twice as much but offers more power while keeping the portability of a tablet compared to a laptop. The iPad Mini is the most portable, thanks to its smaller size.
The iPad Pro is meant for professional users and is built to run advanced software.
Learn more about the other iPads, including the brand-new iPad Air.
We’ve also gathered the best iPad and tablet deals for you.
What About the New iPad Air 2025?
The iPad Air 2025 launched with an upgraded processor — Apple’s M3. It’s designed to boost performance and run Apple Intelligence features more efficiently.
It was surprising to see Apple release two new iPad Airs in 2025, considering the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Airs were just launched in 2024. While it’s nice to have, the new chip in the 2025 Air models isn’t a big enough upgrade to recommend if you already have the 2024 version.
Read our fresh reviews of the iPad Air 2025:
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The 11-inch iPad Air starts at £599
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The 13-inch iPad Air starts at £799
Compare prices below and click to buy.
What Other Apple iPads Can You Buy?
iPad Pro 2024
The iPad Pro is Apple’s most advanced iPad. The latest version launched in 2024 and features Apple’s M4 chip with either 8GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, depending on the storage option you choose. It’s a truly premium processor, matched by other high-end features.
But you’ll only need this if you plan to use its full potential — think graphics-heavy gaming or 3D modeling apps.
Check out our reviews of the 11-inch iPad Pro and 13-inch iPad Pro to see which is right for you. Available from the retailers listed below.
iPad Mini (2024)
The iPad Mini features a more powerful processor than the 2025 standard iPad. The A17 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM means it can run Apple Intelligence features — unlike the cheapest iPad. But really, you’re buying this one for the compact size: it has an 8.4-inch screen.
Compare today’s prices from retailers below and read our full iPad Mini 2024 review for all the details.
