Apple rarely cuts its prices, so if you want a cheap iPad you’ll have to turn to other retailers. Thankfully you have two choices to save some money on an iPad this Black Friday.
Get the 10th-Gen iPad for $259
Save $90 on the 10th-generation iPad, which is down by 26% to $259 at Amazon for the 64GB Wi-Fi model. This is Apple’s latest version of its entry-level tablet, which normally retails for $349 (the price that Apple is selling it for at the time of writing).
Apple iPad (10th-generation)
$259 $349 Save
$90
The 10th-generation iPad from Apple gets a modern redesign with faster performance, a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and USB-C, making it a solid go-to tablet for a lot of users.
You can have any of the four colors at that price, or you can save the same amount on a 256GB model (bringing it down to $409.99 from $499.99) though admittedly the savings don’t look so good at 18%. There’s also $70 (14%) off the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
The 10th-generation iPad was introduced in late 2022, bringing it into line with the pricier iPad Air and iPad Pro models by incorporating a larger display and shedding the Home button. It features the A14 Bionic processor first seen in the iPhone 12, USB-C charging, and compatibility with the Magic Keyboard Folio and the Apple Pencil USB-C.
The 10th-generation iPad runs iPadOS 18 and offers a great introduction to Apple’s ecosystem. It’s perfect for simple web browsing, catching up on email, basic office tasks, social media, mobile gaming, or as a dedicated smart home hub and controller. At $259, it’s hard to beat.
Save $130 on the 9th-Gen iPad
If you want to save even more money, the ninth-generation iPad is available at a $130 discount for $199 at Best Buy for the 64GB model (Wi-Fi only). The tablet was introduced in late 2021 but retailers have been selling it for $329 while stocks last. You can save the same amount on the 256GB model, currently on sale at $349.99.
Apple iPad (9th Generation)
$200 $329 Save
$129
Save some money and get the same great iPad experience with Apple’s cheapest, entry-level tablet.
Get one in silver or space grey, but be aware that the tablet features Apple’s now-retired “classic” iPad look. The ninth-generation iPad has larger bezels than the newer model, and retains a central Home button with integrated Touch ID sensor.
The A13 Bionic processor (first seen in the iPhone 11) is showing its age a bit now, but the ninth-generation iPad is compatible with the latest iPadOS 18 release. It’s good for the usual light computing tasks that you’d turn to an iPad for, but don’t expect it to get the same level of support as the newer 2022 model.
If you’re tossing up between the two and can afford the extra $60, we’d recommend spending a bit more to get another year or so of updates and a slightly more modern design.
Or Buy From Apple for Gift Card Credit
Discounts direct from Apple are rare, instead the company prefers to offer gift card credit on eligible purchases. So if you decide to buy anything from Apple, you can get a gift card of up to $200 in value ($100 on iPads specifically) to spend at Apple at a later date.
From what we can see, there’s only one good reason to go this route and that’s to take advantage of Apple’s returns policy. Apple normally offers a 14-day window in which you can return a product you’re not happy with to get your money back. The company has extended this to January 8, 2025 for the holiday season.
So if you want a few months to decide if the iPad is really for you, and you know you’ll be spending more money with Apple in the future, this might be worth considering.
For even more offers, check out some of the best Black Friday 2024 deals.
