iPad (6th generation)
The first non-Pro iPad that works with Apple Pencil.
Overview
Apple announced the 2018 iPad at a school-focused event in Chicago, and its upgrades were aimed squarely at classrooms. The A10 Fusion chip, last seen in the iPhone 7, delivered roughly 40 percent faster processing than the A9, enough to run augmented reality apps smoothly.
The headline addition was Apple Pencil support, previously limited to iPad Pro models. Though the screen lacked the laminated glass and Pro-class pen latency, it gave students an affordable stylus workflow. A new Apple Pencil was not required; the existing first-generation model worked.
The rest of the body was unchanged: 9.7 inches, Touch ID, Lightning, 8-megapixel rear and 1.2-megapixel front cameras. It also gained a gold option and kept the entry price, with education discounts bringing it to $299.
Why it mattered
Broke the Apple Pencil barrier on the mainstream iPad and cemented the line as the default classroom tablet.
At a glance
- Announced
- March 27, 2018
- Released
- March 27, 2018
- Discontinued
- September 10, 2019
- Launch price
- $329
- Chip
- Apple A10 Fusion, 4-core
- Display
- 9.7"
- Storage
- 32GB, 128GB
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- First regular iPad with Apple Pencil support
- A10 Fusion chip for AR and games
- Same $329 starting price
- Touch ID and 9.7-inch Retina screen
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 9.7-inch
- Type
- Retina LED-backlit IPS
- Resolution
- 2048 x 1536 (264 ppi)
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Brightness
- About 500 nits
Chip
- Chip
- Apple A10 Fusion, 4-core 64-bit
- Coprocessor
- Apple M10 motion coprocessor
Memory
- RAM
- 2 GB
- Storage options
- 32GB, 128GB
Camera
- Rear camera
- 8 MP iSight, 1080p video
- Front camera
- 1.2 MP FaceTime HD
Battery
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours of web, video or music
- Capacity
- About 32.4 Wh
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO
- Cellular
- Optional LTE model
- Connector
- Lightning
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 4.2
Accessories
- Apple Pencil
- Apple Pencil (1st generation)
- Keyboard
- Bluetooth keyboards and third-party cases
Design
- Dimensions
- 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm
- Weight
- 469 g (Wi-Fi), 478 g (cellular)
Security
- Authentication
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 11.3
- Latest supported OS
- iPadOS 17.7.x
How it compares
More in the iPad family
iPad (1st generation)
The slate that defined the modern tablet category.
iPad 2
Thinner, faster, and finally equipped with cameras.
iPad (3rd generation)
The first iPad with a Retina display and LTE.
iPad (4th generation)
A surprise refresh that doubled the speed and introduced Lightning.
iPad (5th generation)
The budget iPad returns at a much lower entry price.
iPad (7th generation)
A slightly larger 10.2-inch screen and the Smart Connector for $329.
iPad (8th generation)
The $329 iPad picks up an A12 Bionic and a Neural Engine.
iPad (9th generation)
The last classic iPad, with Center Stage and True Tone.
iPad (10th generation)
The standard iPad finally goes all-screen, in four bold colors.
iPad (A16)
The everyday iPad, now with 128 GB and a quicker A16 chip.