Buying an iPad as a Diwali gift sounds simple until you open Apple's India store and see three families with prices running from under Rs 50,000 to about Rs 2 lakh. The right pick depends far more on who will use it, and for what, than on the chip name. Here is a plain guide built on Apple's own India prices, price as of 6 October 2026, 1:35 AM IST.
The three iPads and their starting prices
The standard iPad starts at Rs 49,900 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model. The 256GB version costs Rs 61,900 and the 512GB version Rs 85,900. Wi-Fi plus Cellular starts at Rs 67,900.
The iPad Air starts at Rs 89,900 for the 11-inch 128GB Wi-Fi model. The 11-inch Air with 256GB costs Rs 1,01,900, and 512GB costs Rs 1,25,900. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 1,19,900, and Wi-Fi plus Cellular on the 11-inch starts at Rs 1,07,900.
The iPad Pro starts at Rs 1,39,900 for the 11-inch model with 256GB storage and 12GB memory. The 11-inch with 512GB is Rs 1,63,900. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 1,99,900.
What actually separates them
Apple's comparison chart makes the differences clear. The standard iPad runs the A16 chip. The chart shows it without Apple Intelligence, with an sRGB colour display rather than the wider P3 range, and without an anti-reflective coating. It works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the first-generation Apple Pencil, but not Apple Pencil Pro.
The iPad Air moves to the M4 chip. It supports Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro and a P3 wide colour display with True Tone. The chart lists no ProMotion high refresh rate on the Air.
The iPad Pro runs the M5 chip and adds ProMotion and an Ultra Retina XDR display, with a nano-texture glass option on the 1TB and 2TB models. The Air and Pro both get an anti-reflective coating, which the standard iPad lacks. It has a TrueDepth camera system and records ProRes video, according to Apple's chart.
In simple terms: the iPad is a good screen for apps, video and school work. The Air is the one for people who want Apple Intelligence and a better pencil without paying Pro money. The Pro is a professional tool for artists, video editors and people who want the best display Apple makes.
Look at the steps between the tiers, because that is where most buyers get pulled upwards. A 256GB iPad at Rs 61,900 sits Rs 28,000 below the 128GB iPad Air. A 256GB 11-inch Air at Rs 1,01,900 is Rs 38,000 below the 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro. On the Pro, Apple's configurator shows 12GB of memory on the 256GB and 512GB models and 16GB with a 10-core CPU from 1TB upwards, so memory rises only at the expensive end.
Matching the iPad to the person
A school student. The Rs 49,900 iPad covers online classes, notes, reading and video calls. If they draw a lot, add the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Storage is the main question: 128GB fills up fast with offline videos and games, so the Rs 61,900 256GB model is worth a look for a device that should last several school years.
A college student or young professional. The iPad Air at Rs 89,900 makes more sense for long writing sessions with a keyboard, heavier apps and Apple Intelligence features. The M4 chip has room to stay quick for years.
Parents and grandparents. Most will use the iPad for video calls, YouTube, news and photos. The standard iPad does all of that. If eyesight matters more than portability, compare the 11-inch iPad with the 13-inch iPad Air at Rs 1,19,900 in a store first, because the bigger screen makes a real difference for reading.
Creators and designers. If someone edits video, draws professionally or works in colour-critical apps, the iPad Pro's ProMotion display, M5 chip and Apple Pencil Pro support justify a closer look. For everyone else, the Pro is more than they need.
Wi-Fi or Cellular?
Wi-Fi plus Cellular adds Rs 18,000 to the standard iPad and to the 11-inch Air at the base storage, going by Apple's listed prices. Most people use phone hotspots when they are out, so Wi-Fi is enough. Cellular is worth it if the iPad will travel daily with someone who does not want to depend on a phone, such as a field worker or a frequent traveller.
Is it worth waiting for the festive sales?
Marketplace sales sometimes show lower prices on iPads than Apple's own store. Earlier this month we reported an iPad Air M4 early festival listing at Rs 67,999, well below the Rs 89,900 store price. Such listings depend on the seller and the variant, so match the exact model, storage and connectivity before comparing, and check the seller and warranty.
Apple's own store also had offers at the time of our check, with instant cashback of up to Rs 7,000 on selected products for eligible cards. Whether a particular iPad qualifies is shown at checkout.
If the person you are buying for really needs a laptop, an iPad with a keyboard may not be the cheaper route. Compare against our MacBook Neo India price report and the MacBook Air vs Mac mini festive comparison before you decide.
The short version: buy the iPad for everyday use, the Air for Apple Intelligence and the better pencil, and the Pro only for real professional work. Then choose storage carefully, because you cannot add it later.
