Should I Upgrade My iPad?

There comes a time in the life cycle of any electronic device when we start to wonder if its best days are behind it. If you’re looking at buying a new iPad Pro, getting frustrated by the sluggish performance of an old iPad Mini, or simply curious about what features you’re missing out on with Apple’s current iPad models, it’s important to know when to pull the trigger on an upgrade.

Apple iPads have solid longevity, with years’ worth of peak performance. That said, even the most sturdy and reliable devices eventually show signs of age. But determining when you should upgrade your older-model iPad isn’t always easy. In addition, when you do decide to pull the trigger on an upgrade, will you stick with Apple’s popular iPad line or switch to an Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab?

Depending on how (and how much) you use your iPad, it could age faster or slower than other similar iPads. Plus, it’s always worth considering how many of those new features — such as a new Apple Pencil, a beefed-up video editing suite, a better Magic Keyboard, etc. — you’d actually use if you got a new one.

The Current Models of Apple iPad

These days, Apple has four different core iPad models, including the base-model iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Here are some details about the current models for each type of iPad at the time of this writing:

iPad (11th Generation)

The new 11th-gen base iPad starts at $349. It includes Apple’s A16 chip set, providing more processing power than any previous model of Apple’s basic iPad. The A16 was previously available in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max devices. You can choose from 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of internal storage, and the device offers 6 GB of memory. However, it’s worth pointing out that this base-model iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence because some of the AI features require too much processing power.

iPad Air (7th Generation)

Like the 11th-gen standard iPad, the 7th-gen iPad Air hit store shelves in March 2025. With a starting price point of $599 (the same base price as the new Mac Mini computer), this is a significantly more powerful device than the 11th-gen base iPad. Powered by the Apple M3 chip, Apple says the 7th-gen iPad Air is “built for Apple Intelligence” and available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. This new iPad Air also offers compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, making it a solid choice for on-the-go productivity.

iPad mini (7th Generation)

The latest version of the iPad mini is the 7th-gen device, released in October 2024. Compared to the 6th-gen iPad mini, this 7th-gen version has several significant upgrades, including the A17 Pro chip, which Apple says is about 30% faster than the iPad mini 6th-gen processor. In addition, the 7th-gen iPad mini adds support for the Apple Pencil Pro, along with upgraded WiFi internet connection capabilities and a more efficient USB-C port. This new iPad mini costs as little as $499 with base storage, based on how much storage capacity you want.

iPad Pro (7th Generation)

It has been a while since Apple released its most recent iPad Pro, especially compared to the other devices discussed above. The 7th-gen iPad Pro made its debut in May 2024, with the following price points:

• 11-inch Model: $999 for 256 GB, $1,199 for 512 GB, $1,599 for 1 TB, $1,999 for 2 TB
• 13-inch Model: $1,299 for 256 GB, $1,499 for 512 GB, $1,899 for 1 TB, $2,299 for 2 TB

With price points this high — the higher-end iPad Pro 7th-gen models cost even more than many Mac Studio, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models — you should expect high-performance capabilities. Thankfully, that is indeed the case. The 7th-gen iPad Pro is Apple’s thinnest device ever, even thinner than the 7th-gen iPod Nano, the previous record-holding device. These new iPad Pro models were the first Apple devices to use the new M4 processor and the first iPads to use an OLED display module. In other words, if you need advanced capabilities, it might be worth paying the rather “advanced” price point for an iPad Pro 7th-generation model.

How Do I Know When I Need to Upgrade to a New iPad?

There are some telltale signs that your current iPad is nearing the end of its useful life cycle. That said, whether you can put up with some imperfections and inefficiencies is an entirely personal choice. Just because one person thinks an iPad is too old to keep using doesn’t mean you have to agree with them!

That said, there are several indicators that it might be time to start thinking about upgrading to a newer model of iPad.

Poor Performance

Does your iPad slow down significantly when you’re switching back and forth between multiple apps? Maybe you experience delays flipping between tabs while web browsing? Or perhaps your iPad can no longer handle the processing demands of editing videos or playing games.

Poor performance can rear its ugly head in several different ways. And, some people are okay with decreased performance as long as they can handle basic tasks like watching movies or making video calls. But, at the end of the day, these issues all indicate the same thing: It might be time to upgrade to the latest model of iPad.

Incompatibility With the Latest iPadOS and New Features

After roughly five to seven years, depending on the device, Apple discontinues iPadOS support. This is a crucial indicator that it’s time to upgrade. iPadOS updates keep iPads secure, providing crucial security patches, major updates to various features, and other vital improvements. Apple continues supporting most new devices for around six years, but whenever it stops supporting your iPad, you should contemplate upgrading.

Subpar Battery Life

Degraded battery life is one of the most consistently frustrating problems with an older iPad. Even basic functions like watching videos can become a major chore if your battery can’t hold a charge like it used to. If you’re constantly recharging your device, it might be time to move on.

Apple provides an easy way to check the battery health of your current device. All you need to do is navigate to the Settings menu and access the battery settings. From there, you can perform an assessment on your iPad’s battery health. If this score is over 90%, your iPad’s battery is still pretty much as good as new. If it’s between 80% and 90%, it’s starting to degrade but probably hasn’t reached the point of no return quite yet. If it’s below 80%, Apple recommends replacing either the battery or the device itself.

Cosmetic Damage

Does your iPad have scuffs, dents, or other dings? Does it have a scratched or cracked screen? These issues don’t always affect the iPad’s actual functionality, but they can make it significantly less enjoyable to use. After all, no one wants to be reminded of the time they dropped their tablet every time they look at the scratched screen caused by the incident.

Furthermore, just because cosmetic damage isn’t causing any functional issues today doesn’t mean you won’t encounter any problems. For instance, a cracked screen can cause touchscreen sensitivity issues, and it can also affect Face ID functionality. We all have different tolerance levels for cosmetic damage — if your iPad’s appearance is starting to bother you, it’s time to consider replacing it.

Running Out of Storage

For some users, on-board storage isn’t as much of a priority in the age of cloud computing. That said, the very fact that Apple even offers a 2 TB version of the iPad Pro that costs well over $2,000, there’s clearly still plenty of demand for high-capacity storage options. Older-model iPads often only had 64 GB or even less in internal storage — even if you back up your photos and videos to your iCloud account, there’s still a good chance you’re running out by now.

If you’re starting to max out your iPad’s internal storage, and backing it up to the cloud isn’t freeing up as much space as you need, you should consider an upgrade. (Or, at least buying a new microSD card to boost your storage capacity.)

When Should I Not Upgrade My iPad?

Just like there are several situations in which it becomes clear that your iPad can no longer keep up with your usage demands, there are also a few scenarios where your current iPad likely satisfies your needs. Just because you have occasional slowdowns or are running low on storage doesn’t necessarily mean you need to shell out hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on a brand-new iPad.

Your Older iPad Still Receives iPadOS Support

If your iPad is still compatible with the latest version of Apple’s tablet operating system — and you don’t notice any consistent bugs or crashes — you can probably still squeeze at least another year or two of high-quality use out of it.

You Only Use Your iPad for Simple Tasks

Some people simply have no need for all the latest features. If all you want to do is browse the internet, check your email, use your iPad as an e-reader, or listen to music, it’s quite likely that you don’t require much processing power. Even the most basic iPads can perform these tasks with relatively little trouble.

It’s Still Compatible With Your Favorite Accessories

Upgrading your iPad often means buying much more than just a new tablet. It can also mean new chargers, cords, Apple Pencils, Magic Keyboards, AirPods, and more. If your iPad still works, and all of your favorite accessories are still functional as well, you might not want to buy a new iPad and new versions of all these accessories, as this can be extremely expensive.

Who Might Need a New iPad?

While just about everyone can benefit from the improved functionality of a new iPad, we figured it might be helpful to describe some specific use cases. Here are a few different general types of users who could most benefit from upgrading.

• Artists and Designers: Support for the Apple Pencil Pro can be a real difference-maker for these professionals, as can the higher refresh rates and improved color accuracy on newer iPad screens.
• Remote Workers: Digital nomads don’t always have room for big, bulky laptops in their bags. A new iPad can provide many of the same functions as a full-size laptop, like powerful multitasking capabilities, smooth Zoom calls, and support for a wide variety of accessories.
• Students: An iPad with a modern processor can dramatically improve performance when you’re taking notes, using split-screen multitasking tools, or using an Apple Pencil.
• Gamers: Newer-model iPads pack just as much punch under the hood as many gaming laptops and portable consoles. That said, older iPads and those with less-impressive specs might not be able to handle the massive processing demands of modern video games. New iPads with faster processors and OLED displays can make gaming much more enjoyable.
• Influencers and Content Creators: These individuals are always recording high-quality video and editing their latest TikTok clips. iPads with powerful M4 processors, generous storage capacities, and top-quality cameras can help influencers make their best content yet.

How Can I Minimize My Environmental Impact When Upgrading My iPad?

Far too often, tech upgrades lead to unnecessary electronic waste. After all, what do you do with your old iPad when you get your new one? If the answer is “throw it in the trash,” you’re causing potentially significant environmental harm.

When you throw iPads away, they end up in the landfill, where they can leak harsh toxins into the air, soil, and water. Even if you simply leave your old iPad to collect dust in a desk drawer, you’re sacrificing several useful components that could have several years left in them.

In short, whenever you upgrade to a new electronic device, you need to dispose of your old one responsibly. This can work a few different ways…

Sell Your Old iPad Yourself

Selling your old iPad to a new user can keep the device in use for years to come, which helps cut down on the unnecessary mining and manufacturing of new devices. There are quite a few different ways to sell used iPads these days:

• Pawn Shops: These retailers offer a tried-and-true method for selling unused electronics, and there’s probably one in your nearest town. While pawn shops can offer quick transactions, they often only offer very low prices. In addition, you’ll probably need to haggle with the owner before settling on a sale price.
• Online Marketplaces: Websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace can fetch reasonable prices for used iPads, often from the comfort of your own home. That said, you’ll need to create and maintain product listings, negotiate prices with potential buyers, wait for lengthy shipping processes, and deal with plenty of potential scammers along the way.
• ecoATM: We’ll discuss this in a bit more detail in a moment, but here at ecoATM, we make it incredibly easy for you to sell your old iPad for instant cash and get on with your life. No hassles, no haggles, no negotiations necessary — just cold, hard cash in exchange for your unwanted iPad.

Use a Manufacturer, Retailer, or Carrier Trade-In Program

Many device manufacturers, retail stores, and wireless carriers offer their own trade-in programs, exchanging credit toward a future purchase for your used iPad. Take a look at a few of your options:

• Apple Trade-In: You can send your old iPad to Apple. In exchange, they’ll provide store credit that you can use toward your next Apple device. To participate, you can either mail your device to Apple or bring it to your local Apple Store.
• Best Buy Trade-In: Best Buy offers a similar program, although it has a bit more flexibility than Apple’s in-house option. With Best Buy, you can trade your old iPad for store credit that you can use on any product available at Best Buy. This is a good option for those of you planning to make your next tech purchase outside of the Apple ecosystem.
• Carrier Trade-Ins: Every major wireless carrier provides trade-in programs that allow you to swap your used iPad for credit toward a new device, or you can use those credits on your monthly bill. As long as you’re sticking with your current wireless carrier for the long run, this can be a solid choice.

Repurpose Your Older-Model iPad

Why get rid of your older iPad when you can use it as a digital picture frame or a dedicated e-reader tablet? Repurposing an old tablet can be a great way to get a few more years of usefulness out of your purchase.

Recycle Your iPad

If you have a broken iPad that’s too damaged to resell, or you have a very old iPad with no real resale value, your best option might be to recycle it. Here at ecoATM, we offer an easy way to recycle used electronics at no cost to you.

How Can ecoATM Help Me Upgrade My iPad?

Whenever you buy a new iPad, your old one needs to find a new home. ecoATM can help! Whether you have a newer-model iPad in excellent condition or an older iPad with some cosmetic or functional damage, we can offer you a great price and an easy sales process.

Just bring your used iPad to one of our 6,000+ ecoATM kiosks for a free evaluation. Or, use the “Price Your Device” tool on our website to get a quote that you can lock in. Then, allow the kiosk to assess your iPad’s condition and present you with a final offer. If you accept, you can get instant cash or your choice of payment through PayPal or Venmo.

Even if your iPad has no resale value, we’ll accept it for recycling purposes, helping cut down on e-waste. We’ve already helped recycle over 50 million used electronic devices over the years. Help us get started on our next 50 million when you recycle your used iPad with ecoATM today!