With the imminent arrival of the iPhone Fold and M6 MacBook Pro models featuring OLED displays and touchscreens, some users may question the need for an iPad. Others who still appreciate tablets may find Apple’s prices excessive. The solution is to buy a used iPad from Apple, a reseller, or a previous owner, which can often save money.
Benefits of buying a used iPad
Used iPads are usually cheaper than new iPads. For example:
- 11-128-Gigabyte inch iPad (A16) costs from $349 (Wi-Fi) or $499 (Wi-Fi + cellular)
- The 13-inch, 256GB iPad Pro (M5) costs from $1,299 (Wi-Fi) or $1,499 (Wi-Fi + cellular)
Used models allow you to get more storage or premium features without going significantly over budget.
Cheaper upgrades and purchase options
Amazon and other retailers often offer discounts on new iPads. But buying used can be even pricier:
- EBay and Craigslist offer big discounts
- Apple’s refurbished iPads come with a 12-month warranty
- Buying from a previous owner can give you access to Pro models or models with more storage at a lower cost
The new iPad offers longer iPadOS support and greater compatibility with Apple Intelligence.
Warranty: pros and cons
Apple’s new iPad comes with a 12-month warranty with the option to add AppleCare+. For second-hand devices, it’s important to check:
- Whether the warranty remains
- Whether AppleCare+ can be added after 60 days of activation
- Whether the warranty is transferable from the previous owner
If you use your tablet carefully and use protective accessories, an additional warranty may not be necessary.
Battery condition and usage
Battery is a key factor when buying a used iPad.
- A new iPad has 100% battery life
- Used iPads should be checked via Settings > Battery > Battery Status
- To be reliable, it is advisable to have a charge above 80%
- Older models may require battery replacement
Software updates
Newer tablets support more versions of iPadOS and receive security updates.
- Examples of older iPads that still support iPadOS 26: 1st generation iPad Pro (201:8), iPad mini 5(201:9), iPad Air 3(201:9), iPad 8 (202:0).
- The newer the iPad, the longer it will take to receive updates and be compatible with Apple Intelligence
Hardware condition
When buying a used iPad, pay attention to:
- Processor: the iPad Pro and iPad Air have M Series chips, the base iPad and iPad mini Series A chips
- RAM: Pro models can have 8-16GB of RAM
- Physical condition: scratches, dents, display damage, broken pixels.
- Repair history: via Settings > General > About Device
Keep in mind that iPads are not rated for water and dust resistance, so buying one from hand requires trust in the previous owner.
Conclusion
A used iPad can be a great way to save money and get premium models at a lower price. The key is to check the battery, condition of the device, warranty and hardware specs. Newer models offer longer life, support for iPadOS updates and Apple Intelligence compatibility, while older models can be cheaper but with some compromises.