In today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break we are taking a closer look at the all-time low pricing on Apple’s most affordable new iPad models – the iPad (A16) from $299 and the iPad mini (A17 Pro) from $399. We also have a deep $140 price drop on the 11-inch Magic Keyboard for previous-gen iPad Pro or M2/M3 iPad Air now down at $180 (Orig. $299) joined by the return of black Apple Watch Ultra 2 models down at $730 and a deal on the matching black Milanese Loop. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
iPad (A16) vs. iPad mini: Apple’s most affordable models now at all-time lows from $299 – which is the better buy?
As of right now, both of the most affordable latest-model iPad releases are currently sitting at all-time low pricing – the new 11-inch iPad (A16) and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). For folks looking to land a new iPad right now on the most affordable end of the current-generation the spectrum, these are the two models you’ll be looking at. The iPad (A16) that released earlier this year is now starting at the $299 Amazon all-time low and the latest iPad mini (A17 Pro) that debuted last fall is now starting at $399, or $100 off. But which is the better buy?
Well, like all of these sorts of questions it’s really going to come down to what you use the iPad for the most and which size you prefer. While not an exhaustive comparison, let’s take a look at some main comparison points between the two models to help the cause.
The new iPad (A16) is 11-inches and the mini is, well mini, at an ultra-manageable 8.3-inches. One offers more screen restate for drawing, writing, typing, and watching movies, whereas the other is ultra-compact and a little easier to hold in the hands.
Another aspect to consider in the size department is the keyboard. Apple and other brands make keyboard cases for the less powerful iPad (A16) that make transforming it into a casual workspace, let’s say, a more elegant proposition. Whereas with the mini, you’ll likely have to deal with the on-screen keyboard or some kind of un-attached Bluetooth deck you’ll have to carry with you that will in some ways negate its portability advantage.
If you want to use an Apple Magic Keyboard-like device, the iPad (A16) is likely a better option. It is also worth noting that buying Apple’s Magic Keyboard for the A16 will have you spending more than the price of the iPad mini right now ($99 more)
Now, if it wasn’t already obvious by the naming scheme and price here, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is a more powerful machine, but not so much so that it will even be all that noticeable for folks not making use of resource intensive applications. And most folks considering these two models likely aren’t doing all that much of that – the mini has more RAM and a more powerful chip allowing it to remain a little bit more snappy an responsive the going gets tough though.
Where this might matter to you is with Apple Intelligence. If you like Apple Intelligence on your phone, or perhaps believe it makes more sense to invest in a machine that will support it as it gets better down the line, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the machine for you – the iPad (A16) does not support Apple Intelligence at all.
For me, as someone who has used both models, it’s the mini all the way…but I just happen to prefer the smaller form-factor in my hands and appreciate the portability. I also do not use an iPad for typing tasks – that’s what the MacBook/desktop machines are for in my case. In my experience, and in talking to folks that do use an iPad for typing – school work, typing/filling out documents for work, and so on – the mini just doesn’t cut it the way they need it to.
iPad mini (A17 Pro) deals:
iPad (A16) deals:
And lastly, the price – the iPad (A16) is $100 less with the current all-time low Amazon pricing. For casual users they are both great buys, but if you like the idea of a more full size display for video and the more roomy typing setup, save the $100 and go for the $299 A16. Prefer the ultra-compact setup and don’t need a keyboard case, or perhaps want to dabble in Apple intelligence, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) seems to be the way to go.
Black Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 back down to best price of the year today from $730 (Reg. $799)
Update: After seeing several models jump back up in price or go out of stock at Amazon, you can once again score select black Apple Watch Ultra 2 configurations back down at the $729.99 we featured previously
Apple Watch Series 10 landed at its best price of all-time this past week – it is still live right here at$100 off on just about every configuration – and this morning ushered in the best price of the year on the black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2. Regularly $799, Amazon is offering Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the Black Titanium finish down at $729.99 shipped – this includes configs with the new Dark Green Alpine Loop, the black Ocean Band, or the black Trail Loop.
While we did see an official doorbuster deal for Black Friday last year that had these configs at $719, alongside some fleeting offers for less on the Natural Titanium case models, you’re now looking at the lowest price we a have tracked on the black Ultra 2 in 2025.
Deals have been very hard to come by on this model over the last couple months, outside of some open-box listings at Best Buy.
Today’s offers on the three aforementioned band options also extend to the higher-end Black Titanium Milanese Loop variant that is seeing the same $70 price drop, down from the regular $899 to $829 shipped. There are some Natural case configs on sale here today too and, while we have seen these for less in the past as well, deal pricing has gone up in general since the new black model debuted in September.
As mentioned above, those who would prefer to go with the far less pricey Apple Watch Series 10 that launched in September are in luck – just about every model and configuration is at $100 off to deliver the best prices to date:
Apple’s latest model black Milanese Loop returns to $173 Amazon all-time low today (Medium size)
Amazon is giving folks another shot to score the lowest price we have tracked on Apple’s latest black Milanese Loop (49mm) down at $172.99 shipped in the medium size. Regularly $199, this is approaching 15% off and landing on par with the best we have tracked on this one to date.
Deals on these official Apple Watch bands do not tend to stick around for long. There is a good chance it might come back, like it is here today, but the sale prices often jump back up quite quickly on these offers. You have been warned.
This is the latest model of Apple’s Milanese Loop that debuted alongside and for the black Apple Watch Ultra 2 last September. It delivers on the same woven metal approach harkening back to the classic “design developed in Milan at the end of the 19th century.” Woven on “specialized Italian machines,” this time around Apple went with a slightly less dainty weave in favor of a more rugged almost steel chain link-style, and we are all the way here for it.
You can scope this band out in action as part of our black Apple Watch Ultra 2 review below:
Apple 11-inch Magic Keyboard for prev. iPad Pro or M2/M3 iPad Air now down at $180 (Orig. $299)
While we are still tracking a sizable $160 price drop on the 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard for previous-generation iPad Pro models and the M2/M3 iPad Air, we wanted to highlight a deal on the 11-inch model this morning. Walmart is also now offering the smaller previous-gen 11-inch Apple Magic Keyboard in black down at $180 shipped. Regularly $299, this is $119 off and among the lowest price we have tracked.
This particular 11-inch model is currently sold out at Amazon where it has rarely ever dropped as low as, or lower, than $225 over the last year or so.
Compatible with iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), it also works with previous-generation iPad Air models as well as the 2024 M2 model and the brand-new M3 iPad Air.
Apple did unleash a new model alongside the M3 iPad Air earlier this year, featuring the new function key row and a slightly larger Trackpad (it sadly does not include the aluminum palm rest found on the latest M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard), but that one is going to cost you a whole lot more than $180, despite launching at $30 less than its predecessor – it is currently selling for $269 at Amazon.
For some folks, it might just make more sense to drop the extra $90 and score the brand-new model to go along with their brand-new M3 Air. But for others, or those still rocking a previous-generation machine, today’s deal should be on your radar.
Here are the ongoing offers on the previous 12.9-inch model:
Today’s accessories and charging deals:
Amazon all-time low pricing returns on latest iPad mini today at $100 off, deals from $399
Alongside the ongoing $100 price drops across the latest M3 iPad Air lineup, Amazon has now brought back its all-time low pricing on the most affordable, latest-generation iPad mini (A17 Pro). Regularly $499, you can now land all four colors down at $399 shipped on Amazon to match our previous mention and the lowest we have tracked to date.
Not only are we also seeing the Wi-Fi + Cell models of the entry-level 128GB model at $100 off, dropping from the regular $649 down to $549 shipped, but the $100 discounts are also hitting the rest of the lineup, including the 256GB and 512GB variants.
While Apple has unleashed its new 11-inch entry-level iPad since the latest mini arrived back in October, the mini is the most affordable model in the current-generation lineup that can support Apple Intelligence. The new 11-inch comes packed with the A16 chip and, while a wonderful casual machine considering you can score one at the $299 all-time low right now, the latest mini is a more powerful Apple tablet and comes in with that ultra-manageable 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display you won’t find elsewhere in the lineup. Not to mention the 30% jump in CPU power, 25% better graphics performance, and upgraded storage capacity tiers.
Just for comparison’s sake, here’s how the all-time low pricing shakes out on the new 11-inch iPad right now:
Apple M3 iPad Air all-time lows at $100 off vs. M2 iPad Air at up to $250 off
This morning we wanted to touch down on the iPad Air – the latest M3 models are all now sitting at the best prices ever on Amazon and we are starting to see some new all-time lows on last year’s M2 variants with at least 2x the savings. While for some, event considering the previous-generation models is out of the question, especially when the latest iterations are at the best prices to date, others might not even notice the difference between the two and would rather reap the extra savings. The details await below.
At a glance the M3 iPad Air is very much the same as the M2 model – we are not talking about the same sizable, generational leap like we saw from the M2 iPad Pro to the fancy new M4 iPad Pro here. The M3 is certainly a faster machine than the M2 but beyond that, it has the “same colors with the same displays that use the same cameras and have the same storage tiers for the same price,” as we detailed previously over at 9to5Mac. They are also both running M series chips that both support Apple Intelligence.
So what’s the real difference here? Well, not a whole lot outside of the price and the slightly faster processing action the M3 delivers that perhaps only some folks will even notice.
Now let’s take a rundown of the discounts pricing we are tracking on both – do you want save $100 on the brand new M3 iPad Air that just released a couple months ago, or $200+ on the M2 iPad Air that is likely the same thing for most folks? Or should you just save up and score an M4 iPad Pro instead? Okay so that last one is quite a jump in price, but it is something to consider here.
Apple iPad Air M3 11-inch
Apple iPad Air M3 13-inch
Every single one of the storage capacity configurations on the M3 iPad Air are now $100 off – these are the best prices we have tracked on these machines in brand new condition since release.
While stock is beginning to seriously dwindle at Amazon for the M2 iPad Air, you can, however, score as much as $250 off for select Wi-Fi + Cell configurations, and $200 off standard models. While not all of them are in stock, one of the highlights here his the mid-range 11-inch 512GB model that is now down at $699 Amazon low – that’s $200 off the original $899 list price – and the Wi-Fi + Cell variant at $799, or $250 off the regular $1,049 list.
If you are looking to go pro, here are the best new prices we are tracking right now across the lineup.
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