Still using an old tablet? The time to upgrade is now! The 10th-gen iPad is $90 off

Yahoo

06-03-2025

I tend to hold onto my tech for a while — some might say too long. I'm still mourning my classic iPod from 2009. If your tablet's more of a glorified coaster these days, it might be time for an upgrade. With the newest iPad set to drop on March 12, prices on the now-previous model have taken a dip — right now, the 10th-gen Apple iPad is $90 off, bringing it down to just $259. Whether you're streaming, working or doomscrolling, this deal is a solid excuse to finally level up.
Significant discounts on Apple's iPads are rare, which makes scoring the last generation at a lower price a major win. Even better? Yahoo's senior tech writer, Rick Broida, named this the best overall tablet of 2025— bar none.
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The latest iPad hits shelves later this month for $349, but at just $259, this previous model — a near twin of the newest one — is a steal. It's an ultra-light, thin gadget that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag without a second thought. With a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before it feel like an old tube TV.
If you've got a habit of toggling between a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages at once, you're in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame.
And let's talk accessories — with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (both of which, as you would expect, work like a dream with this model), you can turn it into a creative powerhouse or a productivity machine whenever you feel the urge, whether you're doodling on Procreate, jotting down ideas in Notes or typing out a big presentation. The only thing it can't do is support Apple Intelligence. For that, you'll have to snag an iPad Air, iPad Pro or the new iPad mini.
Need more storage for photos and apps? While the 256GB 10th generation model is discounted too, the savings there is minimal enough that you're better off going with the new 2025 version instead.
This iPad has received over 22,500 ecstatic reviews from fans plus an endorsement from our trusted tech tester, Rick Broida.
"There's just something about the iPad," Broida says. "While it may be two years old, there's no denying the iPad 10.9's appeal, starting with a slightly larger screen inside a frame that's roughly the same size as before. Gone is the home button; in its place, a power button that supports Touch ID. And if you're tired of the bland silver and space-gray color choices, the 10th-generation iPad adds blue, pink and yellow options to the mix."
Rick went on to say, "Apple also made a bunch of under-the-hood improvements, including a faster processor, more RAM (4GB instead of 3GB), Bluetooth 5.0 (up from 4.2) and a USB-C charging port. (So long, Lightning!) None of these upgrades are what I'd consider must-haves, but they do make an already excellent tablet even better."
This five-star review comes from a longtime fan: "This is an excellent update for my daughter's ancient iPad. She's constantly exclaiming about how much faster this one is, how easily it runs games, and how beautiful the graphics are. We've had zero technical issues with it, and like most Apple devices, set up was a total breeze. [The] 10th generation is neat because of the color choices. The pink one was such a hit. The battery life is pretty awesome. She can watch shows or play games for hours and hours without having to plug it in."
"As I get older, vision challenges make it inconvenient to spend a lot of screen time on my iPhone — whether it's checking emails, Facebook posting or playing games," said another shopper. "I decided to bite the bullet and move up to the iPad, and although it's only been a couple of weeks, I'm extremely pleased with my investment (and it was an investment, as I went with the newer model and higher memory). It's extremely convenient and the screen is amazingly clear."
To restate, this 2022 model was previously the "current" version of the iPad, but as of March 2025, it's officially the previous model. That said, the only thing you're really giving up are a newer chip, and less storage — not a bad compromise given the price savings.
To that latter point, a buyer weighs in: "The bad? The smallest memory size is too small for heavy users and there is a pretty stiff upcharge for the larger configuration," said one five-star reviewer. They added that the "new design has reverted to the square-edged design language for the body, I prefer the curved body style (i.e. 8th or 9th generation)."
One of the bigger gripes was the absence of Face ID. "No Face ID is ridiculous at this point, and the fingerprint scanner being located in the power button, while fast acting, isn't as handy as when it was easier to access on the front panel."
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.