Which iPad Do I Have? How To Figure What iPad Model You Have

In 1976, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne created a computer company called Apple. From starting in a garage to being one of the largest companies in the world, Apple has come a long way. This is perhaps what captures the attention of so many: the constant reworking of the old systems. What started with the Apple I has grown into the Mac and laptops with touch ID.

Steve was at the forefront with his inspirational quotes about innovation and insistence that Apple needed to be more focused on innovation than cost-cutting. Many years even after his death, we can say his vision was steadfast. The innovations that Apple has sprung upon the world have gained them a cult-like following that is much larger than their 12-19% average market share of global cell phone sales.

Yet, their innovations spill beyond this to one of their most popular products: the iPad. This device accounts for around 10% of their total sales per year, which is a lot by tablet standards. This amazing innovation comes with unforeseen side effects. Many people have different generations, styles, sizes, and storage capacities for the iPad.

This makes it difficult to buy certain accessories for the iPads because the information is something people tend to disregard. But, this is something that every iPad owner should know since accessories (like the Magic Keyboard) can tend to be a bit pricey.

Read on to figure out all of the specs on your iPad and why this information is critical.

Differences

It's easy to look at your iPad and see things like colors: Rose Gold vs. Space Gray. However, each generation iPad is built differently on the inside. You can see the obvious size differences between the iPad Mini and the iPad Pro.

But what about specific generations? What gen iPad Mini do you have? 2nd generation or 5th generation? How much storage (gigabytes-GB) do you have: 128GB or 512GB? Maybe you got a promotion to 1TB (terabyte)?

There are even more differences:

For example, the only iPad with a USB-C port is the 2018 iPad Pro.

The 2020 Standard model, the 8th generation, comes with 32GB to start and an A12 Bionic chip. It has Apple Pencil support and works well with the smart keyboard. This version looks awfully like the 7th generation, so be careful.

Finding Out Your iPad's Model Number in a Flash

It is generally quite simple to find out what iPad model you have. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to obtaining this information. This will keep you from getting lost in the endless and frustrating abyss of the silver gears icon and the haunting words below it: “Settings.”

Obtaining the Key (Model Number)

Click the Home button or look into the camera for Face ID.
First, click on the app to enter the abyss.
Then, tap on the “General” tab.
Lastly, in the “General” tab, look for the “About” section.
Once here, scroll down to find the Model number.

Do you need to know exactly what type of iPad you own? Simple:

Flip your iPad over to find the same model number engraved on the back of your iPad next to the serial number.

The Table

Unfortunately, the model number is not easy to understand and is mostly a code of sorts. You cannot be able to know what generation iPad you have solely from that number. Luckily, all you have to do is refer to this table to know what iPad you have.

The table can be slightly confusing, but it is easy if you know a few basics. All iPads are either exclusively WiFi reliant or can connect through cellular data plans to the internet. This will give you a different model number, even though literally every other aspect of the iPad is the same. The size, shape, and accessories needed are the same for both versions, so do not freak out if you cannot find one, but you can find the other.

For example, the 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) has the model number “A2377,” while the cellular compatible version has the model number “A2459.” They both have the same body, so any case or other accessory can be used seamlessly with either of them.

This table seems intimidating, but finding your model number and hitting the “CTRL (control)” + “F” buttons on your keyboard, and inserting the model number into the search bar will bring you right to your model with full specs.

Why Do I Need This Information?

Finding this information is easy and converting it is a bit harder, but the question remains: why do I need this information?

Here is a list of reasons to know your iPad model:

If You Are Going to Sell

Reselling old iPads when you are upgrading is a very common decision. To be able to correctly price your iPad, you will need to do some research on what other people with the same model are selling theirs for.

This will keep you and your buyer from any unfair transactions. It is your duty as the seller to know what you are selling to give a fair and good deal that also satisfies what you think the item is worth.

Knowing if it is a model that has cellular capabilities, even if you did not use them, is the biggest blind spot for sellers. The difference could be over $100 worth of value that you may be missing out on, so be vigilant.

Buying Accessories

This is probably the biggest reason it is helpful to know what model you have off the top of your head. If you are going to the store to buy an adaptor for the model but do not know if it has a USB plugin or not, you may end up wasting money on an accessory that is not compatible with your iPad.

Avoid this by knowing your model and then working backward to know if the product is compatible.

Another thing that frustrates users is the iPad’s varying size changes. Specifically, the port changes are something to look out for.

Protect Your iPad

Buying a new case is incredibly important. iPads represent a significant financial investment, and they need to be protected against drops, spills, and stumbles.

If you are going for a nice case, consider our beautiful case called The Mav.

The Mav is made of beautiful full grain leather that becomes more beautiful with age. With its high-quality leather construction, the Mav is ready to take on all that life throws at you while maintaining the smell and look of fine, well-tanned leather. It comes in four different sizes that are compatible with the 2018-19 iPad Air and 2020 Pro models, the 2020-21 Pro models, and their bigger versions (from 11 inch to 12.9-inch displays).

One of the most fun things about picking your everyday carry is choosing your aesthetics. We love quality but are also invested in a fashionable look. When picking accessories, look to match your iPad case to your iPhone case, your AirPods case, and your laptop case.

We all love that clean, white box vibe that is synonymous with Apple, but at Andar, we think it can be improved with a little leather.

The Simplicity of Knowing Your iPad

Finding the right accessories or providing the right price for a buyer is one of the more simple courtesies for yourself and your buyer. Finding out the model of your iPad is as simple as clicking through a few tabs to understand your iPad’s secret identity.

Knowing what model iPad you have is a key part of being part of the “Apple Ecosystem.” With the right information in hand, you can troubleshoot issues, sell and upgrade your tech, and, most importantly, buy the perfect accessories.

Sources:

The 7 Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs | Forbes

Global Smartphone Market Share: By Quarter | Counterpoint

Stocks Apple's 5 Most Profitable Lines of Business | Investopedia

How To Tell What iPad You Have: Model Numbers & Other Clues | Mac World