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Every iPad costs $100 to $200 more this Black Friday than it did last year. Apple raised iPad prices on June 25, 2026, and the base iPad now lists at $449, up from $349.
So last year’s best deals won’t come back. The base iPad sold for $274 at major retailers last Black Friday, and even a strong 2026 discount will leave it more than $100 above that.
I’d hold out for $50 to $75 off the base iPad and $100 off the iPad Air or iPad mini on November 27. Each model below has today’s price next to my target.
iPad Prices Right Now
These are Apple’s US prices for the Wi-Fi models after the June increase.
| Model | Chip | Starting storage | US list price | Before June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 11-inch | A16 | 128GB | $449 | $349 |
| iPad mini 8.3-inch | A17 Pro | 128GB | $599 | $499 |
| iPad Air 11-inch | M4 | 128GB | $749 | $599 |
| iPad Air 13-inch | M4 | 128GB | $949 | $799 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | M5 | 256GB | $1,199 | $999 |
| iPad Pro 13-inch | M5 | 256GB | $1,499 | $1,299 |
The iPad Air took the biggest increase on the smaller model, $150. The gap between the base iPad and the 11-inch Air is now $300, which makes the base iPad the better value for most people.
Black Friday 2025 vs 2026
Retailers took $75 to $150 off every iPad last Black Friday. Here’s how those deals line up against today’s list prices:
| Model | Black Friday 2025 price | 2025 list price | 2026 list price |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16), 128GB | $274 | $349 | $449 |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro), 128GB | $399 | $499 | $599 |
| iPad Air 11-inch, 128GB | $449 (M3) | $599 | $749 (M4) |
| iPad Air 13-inch, 128GB | $649 (M3) | $799 | $949 (M4) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch, 256GB | $899 (M5) | $999 | $1,199 (M5) |
| iPad Pro 13-inch, 256GB | $1,199 (M5) | $1,299 | $1,499 (M5) |
The base iPad shows the change most clearly. Last year’s $274 Black Friday price is $175 below this year’s list price, so even $75 off this year still leaves it about $100 above last year’s deal.
Apple’s own offer was a gift card, valid November 28 to December 1, 2025: $100 with an iPad Air and $50 with an iPad (A16) or iPad mini. The M5 iPad Pro was left out.
What’s Pushing iPad Prices Up
Two things drive this year’s iPad prices, and a third could change the iPad mini.
Memory chips cost far more. Apple put up prices on 17 products in June, every iPad included, after memory chip costs jumped. It called the rise in component costs the fastest it had seen. Notebookcheck reports a Jefferies forecast of 30% to 40% more in the last quarter of 2026.
October already brought discounts. Retailers took $100 off the iPad Air and iPad mini and $49 off the base iPad. Black Friday should match or beat that, from a higher starting price.
A new iPad mini may be close. Reports point to a new iPad mini soon. That could bring a deeper discount on the current model as stores clear stock, or a newer model at a higher price.
What to Expect This Black Friday
Nothing from Apple yet for 2026. Here’s what I expect for iPads:
- Likely: another Apple gift-card event over the Black Friday weekend, skipping the M5 iPad Pro.
- Likely: $100 off the iPad Air and iPad mini at major retailers, matching October’s sales.
- Possible: $75 off the base iPad, a little more than October’s $49.
- Possible: $100 to $150 off the M5 iPad Pro.
- Unlikely: the base iPad back at last year’s $274.
Prices I’d buy at:
| Model | US list price | Black Friday target |
|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16) | $449 | $399 or less |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | $599 | $499 |
| iPad Air 11-inch | $749 | $649 |
| iPad Air 13-inch | $949 | $849 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | $1,199 | $1,049 or less |
Price the whole setup before you buy. An Apple Pencil and a keyboard case add up quickly, and they get Black Friday discounts too.
Which iPad to Buy
Every current iPad runs the same iPadOS apps. The difference is screen size, chip and whether you get Apple Intelligence.
iPad (A16)
Most people need only the base iPad for notes, streaming, reading and schoolwork.
- 11-inch display, A16 chip and 128GB of storage
- Works with the USB-C Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard Folio
- No Apple Intelligence, which needs a newer chip
- Black Friday target: $399 or less
My best iPad for students guide goes deeper on school use.
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
The iPad mini is for reading, travel and one-handed use, where its small size matters more than screen space.
- 8.3-inch display, A17 Pro chip and 128GB of storage
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence
- Black Friday target: $499
iPad Air (M4)
The iPad Air is for students and creators who’ll lean on an Apple Pencil and a keyboard and want an iPad that stays fast for years.
- M4 chip in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, from 128GB
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and Apple Intelligence
- Black Friday target: $649 for the 11-inch model
iPad Pro (M5)
The iPad Pro is only worth it if you’ll use its display for photo or video work, or you want the most powerful iPad Apple sells.
- M5 chip and Ultra Retina XDR display, from 256GB
- Face ID and support for Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
- Black Friday target: $1,049 or less for the 11-inch model
At $1,199, the 11-inch iPad Pro costs almost as much as a 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, so be sure you want a tablet first.
FAQs on iPad Black Friday
Will iPads be cheaper on Black Friday 2026?
Yes at retailers, but not back to 2025 levels. Apple raised every iPad’s price by $100 to $200 in June, so expect about $50 to $100 off the new prices.
Which iPad is the best Black Friday deal?
The base iPad (A16) for most people, ideally at $399 or less. Choose the iPad Air if you want Apple Intelligence or plan to use an Apple Pencil every day.
Does Apple discount iPads on Black Friday?
No. Apple has given an Apple Gift Card with eligible iPads instead, $50 to $100 last year. Retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart offer the actual price cuts.
Should I wait for a new iPad mini?
Reports point to a new iPad mini soon. Wait if you want the newest model. If you want the lowest price, the current iPad mini at $499 or less is a good buy.
Will iPad prices go down after Black Friday?
Unlikely. Memory prices are expected to keep rising into 2027, so another increase is more likely than a cut.
Final Remarks
My pick is the base iPad at $399 or less on Black Friday. Spend more on the iPad Air only if you need Apple Intelligence or daily Pencil work, and skip the iPad Pro unless its display will earn its price.
For MacBook, AirPods and Apple Watch deals, see my Apple Black Friday deals page.