These iPad prices were Amazon’s U.S. Prime Big Deal Days offers from October 7–8, 2025—not live August 2026 prices. The event featured a 128GB A16 iPad for $279, a 128GB A17 Pro iPad mini for $379, and M3 iPad Air models from $449. Treat the figures below as historical benchmarks and verify any current listing, seller, condition and return policy before buying.
The exact iPad deals
MacRumors reported these prices on October 7, 2025, during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. Each headline configuration was Wi‑Fi-only and had 128GB of storage.
| Model and configuration | Deal price | Stated regular price | Saving | Record-low claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-inch iPad, A16, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $279 | $349 | $70 | MacRumors called it a best-ever price for that listing |
| iPad mini 7, 8.3-inch, A17 Pro, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $379 | $499 | $120 | MacRumors said it matched its lowest price |
| 11-inch iPad Air, M3, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $449 | $599 | $150 | Discounted deal price |
| 13-inch iPad Air, M3, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $649 | $799 | $150 | Discounted deal price |
MacRumors also listed the iPad mini 256GB Wi‑Fi at $479 (from $599) and 512GB Wi‑Fi at $679 (from $799). Its expanded listing included additional M3 iPad Air storage tiers, generally with discounts up to $150. See the original MacRumors deal report.
Which deal was best for your use?
Best budget iPad: 11-inch A16 iPad
At $279, the standard iPad was the least expensive full-size option. Its 11-inch screen and 128GB capacity suit web browsing, streaming, schoolwork, video calls and ordinary apps. It supports Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and first-generation Apple Pencil, but not Apple Pencil Pro, and has less performance headroom and a less advanced display than the Air.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Best compact tablet: iPad mini
The $379 iPad mini paired an 8.3-inch display with an A17 Pro chip. It is the natural choice for travel, reading, handheld gaming, one-handed use and compact note-taking. The small screen is a real trade-off for document-heavy work or split-screen multitasking, and its higher price reflects the premium compact format rather than screen area.
Best performance-to-price balance: 11-inch M3 iPad Air
The $449 Air cost $170 more than the discounted A16 iPad. In return, the M3 chip, P3 wide color and antireflective display, Apple Pencil Pro support and Magic Keyboard compatibility make it better suited to creative apps, multitasking and several years of heavier use. For many buyers, this was the strongest value if the budget allowed the upgrade.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Best large workspace: 13-inch M3 iPad Air
At $649, the 13-inch Air offered the same M3 platform in a larger workspace. Choose it for split-screen work, drawing and media viewing; choose the 11-inch model when portability matters more.
Do not confuse the different “11-inch iPads”
“11-inch iPad” is not a complete model name. The $279 deal was the standard A16 iPad, while the $449 deal was the M3 iPad Air. An iPad Pro is another, substantially more expensive 11-inch class. Check the chip and generation in the listing before comparing prices. Apple’s official comparison separates these families.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
How accurate was the “all-time low” wording?
“All-time low” depends on what price history is being measured. MacRumors’ language describes its tracking for the relevant Amazon listing, not necessarily every retailer, local promotion or product identifier. A MacRumors forum discussion cites a $249.99 Micro Center price for the same 128GB A16 configuration in June 2025. That means $279 is best described as a record-low price in MacRumors’ tracking for that Amazon deal, rather than an unquestionable lowest price anywhere.
What to check before buying a similar deal
- Confirm the generation and chip. Make sure an A16 iPad, A17 Pro mini or M3 Air is actually in the cart; “11-inch” alone is insufficient.
- Match storage to your plans. 128GB is the entry point. Large games, downloaded video, photos and creative files can justify comparing a 256GB offer instead of chasing the biggest percentage discount.
- Check connectivity. The cited deals were Wi‑Fi models. Cellular versions cost more and require a carrier plan.
- Verify condition and seller. New, refurbished, open-box and clearance units are not equivalent. Review the seller, fulfillment method, return window, color availability and delivery date.
- Confirm event eligibility. Amazon promoted Prime Big Deal Days as a Prime-member event. Amazon’s 2025 announcement cited $14.99 monthly or $139 annual membership and a trial for eligible users; do not assume those prices remain current.
- Add accessory costs. Apple Pencil Pro was listed at $129, Magic Keyboard for iPad Air at $319 and Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad at $249 on Apple’s store page. A case, stylus or keyboard can erase much of a tablet discount.
What the prices mean now
Apple’s U.S. shopping page showed starting prices of $449 for iPad, $599 for iPad mini, $749 for iPad Air and $1,199 for iPad Pro when checked for this article. Those are current-price signals, not guarantees for every configuration, and they may change. See Apple’s iPad store, the standard iPad page, iPad mini page and iPad Air page for live availability. Do not carry the 2025 Amazon prices forward as current offers without checking them.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Bottom line by buyer
- Spend the least: choose the standard A16 iPad for general-purpose use.
- Travel and read: choose the iPad mini when portability outweighs screen size.
- Draw, multitask or keep the tablet longer: pay for the M3 iPad Air, selecting 11 inches for portability or 13 inches for workspace.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
