Cracked iPad screen repair options
Cracked my screen, which one should I do?
iPad Pro, iPad Air, Or Ipad?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Cracked Screen
iPad
Only you can decide upon your needs, expectations and budget.
All current iPad models share the same iPadOS 26 Operating System - and all have broadly the same core capabilities. Models essentially differ in their performance and physical attributes. iPad Pro models use FaceID for biometric user-authentication, while other use TouchID.
The iPad A16 is the current entry-level iPad. The iPads Pro M5 (13" & 11") are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, with cutting edge capabilities and hardware. Between these two extremes are the iPad Air M3 (13" & 11"), these offering a mid-range high performance option. The iPad mini A17 Pro is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.
You can compare iPad models here:
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and other contributors cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Consider also the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Only WiFi+Cellular models include GPS capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping. Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model does not commit you to using Cellular connections, but provides this flexibility should it be needed. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GPS functions at all.
