Best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator in 2026 (Top Picks Only)

We have rounded up the best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator. Apple’s iPads have become powerful tools for creative professionals, offering a seamless blend of portability, performance, and precision. Whether you’re a graphic designer, digital artist, or illustrator, using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on an iPad provides a near-desktop experience with the added benefit of a touchscreen interface and Apple Pencil support. But with multiple models available, choosing the right iPad for your creative workflow can be challenging.

The best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator must offer a high-resolution display, a powerful processor for smooth performance, ample storage, and excellent Apple Pencil compatibility. In this guide, we’ll explore the top iPads for graphic design, comparing their specs, features, and price points to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for a high-end powerhouse like the iPad Pro or a budget-friendly alternative that still delivers excellent performance, we’ve got you covered.

These are the best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator worth buying today.

Best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator

1. Apple iPad Air (M4) 2026 (Best Pick)

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Apple iPad Air (M4) 2026 Key Specifications

Pros

• Extremely powerful M4 chip
• More RAM for demanding tasks
• Excellent value compared with the iPad Pro
• Large screen options
• Good battery efficiency

Cons

• The display remains 60Hz
• LCD instead of OLED

The best iPad for Photoshop and Illustrator is the 2026 Apple iPad Air. Apple iPad Air (M4) represents a moment when Apple’s mid-tier tablet line begins to feel far less “mid-tier.” For years, the Air sat comfortably between the entry-level iPad and the Pro models, offering a careful balance of power and price. With the arrival of the M-series silicon in this generation, that balance shifts noticeably. Performance climbs into territory that once belonged exclusively to the Pro line, while the device still preserves the approachable simplicity and portability that have always defined the Air.

Slim, light, and unmistakably Apple in its industrial design, the tablet carries forward the modern flat-edged aesthetic that has become the visual language of the company’s devices. Aluminum construction gives it a reassuring solidity without adding weight, making it easy to slip into a backpack or hold for extended periods. Attention to detail remains exceptional: tight tolerances, smooth edges, and a clean, minimalist finish that feels both contemporary and timeless. Nothing about it feels ornamental. Every line and surface exists to serve function as much as form.

Front and center sits the Liquid Retina display, still one of the Air’s defining strengths. Colors appear vibrant without drifting into oversaturation, while text remains crisp enough to make long reading sessions comfortable. Photographs gain a pleasing sense of depth, and video playback benefits from consistent brightness and strong contrast. Though it doesn’t push into the extreme refresh rates found in the most premium tablets, motion remains fluid enough for everyday tasks, streaming, and casual gaming. For many users, the screen strikes a satisfying balance between visual fidelity and efficiency.

Powering this experience is Apple’s M4 chip, a processor that brings desktop-class performance into a remarkably thin tablet. Everyday tasks feel instantaneous: apps open without hesitation, multitasking flows smoothly, and creative software responds with the kind of speed once associated with laptops. Editing high-resolution photos, sketching in complex digital canvases, or trimming video footage no longer feels like a stretch for a tablet in this category. Apple’s silicon architecture also keeps thermals and power consumption under tight control, allowing the device to remain cool and quiet even under heavier workloads.

Integration with iPadOS deepens the sense that this device is designed not just for consumption but for genuine productivity. Multitasking features allow multiple apps to coexist in flexible arrangements, while support for advanced creative tools transforms the tablet into a versatile workstation. Students can annotate documents, professionals can manage workflows on the go, and artists can sketch with impressive responsiveness. Software and hardware work together with the sort of polish that Apple has spent years refining.

Compatibility with accessories expands the tablet’s capabilities further. Pairing it with Apple’s stylus unlocks precise drawing and note-taking, making the device particularly appealing to designers, illustrators, and students. Attach a keyboard case and it begins to resemble a lightweight laptop alternative, capable of handling writing, research, and communication tasks with ease. This modular flexibility has long been one of the Air’s strengths, and the M4 generation continues to refine that idea.

Battery life remains one of the quiet triumphs of the device. A full day of mixed use—browsing, streaming, writing, and occasional creative work—rarely presents a challenge. Efficiency gains from Apple’s silicon architecture ensure that even demanding tasks do not drain the battery as quickly as one might expect. For travelers, students, or professionals constantly on the move, this endurance becomes a practical advantage.

Audio performance deserves mention as well. Stereo speakers deliver clear, surprisingly spacious sound that makes movies and music feel immersive for a tablet of this size. Voices in video calls remain crisp, while streaming services benefit from a sense of balance that avoids harshness or distortion. Cameras, though rarely the main reason to buy a tablet, remain competent for video conferencing and quick document scans.

What ultimately defines the iPad Air (M4) is how confidently it blurs the line between categories. It carries enough power to satisfy demanding users while maintaining the accessibility that makes tablets appealing in the first place. For many people, this balance may render the more expensive Pro models unnecessary.

Seen in that light, the device feels less like a compromise and more like a sweet spot. Elegant design, formidable performance, and thoughtful software integration come together to produce a tablet that feels both approachable and remarkably capable. In everyday use, it delivers an experience that feels polished, fast, and quietly powerful—exactly what a modern tablet should be.

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2. Apple iPad Pro (M5) 2025

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Apple iPad Pro (M5) 2025 Key Specifications

Display: 11-inch Ultra Retina Tandem OLED, 1668 x 2420 pixels | Chipset: Apple M5 | OS: iPadOS 26 | RAM: 12GB/16GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | Weight: 444 g (Wi-Fi), 446 g (5G) | Rear Camera: 12MP, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner | Front Camera: 12MP | Battery: 8160 mAh

Pros

• Outstanding performance
• Much faster overall processing compared to previous generations
• Stunning OLED display
• Great for creativity and professional use
• Excellent battery life
• Tablet with laptop-like power

Cons

• Pricey

If you want one of the very best options, the 2025 iPad Pro with the M5 chip is a solid pick. The 2025 iPad Pro with M5 chip arrives knowing it already sits near the summit of tablet design and performance. 

With regard to design, it scarcely feels obliged to reinvent the wheel. Visually and physically, it echoes its immediate predecessors: satin-smooth aluminum edges, whisper-thin profile, and a display that truly impresses. In both its 11- and 13-inch forms, the Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED panel — with ProMotion’s adaptive 120Hz refresh — delivers colors so deep and blacks so absolute that text, photos, and HDR content feel almost sculptural, an experience that still ranks among the very best in any device category. Brightness peaks at striking levels, and there’s even a nano-texture glass option to cut glare for creative professionals working in harsh lighting. 

Inside, Apple’s new M5 chip powers this machine: not merely faster in the old sense of clock speeds and benchmarks, but remarkably capable when it comes to real-world AI tasks and graphics workloads. This processor handles everything from demanding multitasking to complex creative apps with a level of ease that makes the tablet feel genuinely future-proofed. With increased unified memory bandwidth, up to 16GB of RAM on higher-end models, and significantly faster storage, the M5 doesn’t just sprint — it practically rewrites what you expect a tablet to do. For tasks like video editing, gaming, daily tasks or on-device machine learning, it’s not just a step up; it’s a leap.

Battery life is outstanding. Under typical usage — browsing, productivity, streaming — the iPad Pro often delivers solid all-day endurance, and Apple even introduced fast-charge support that can bring the battery to half full in about half an hour with a high-wattage adapter. 

Camera and sensors haven’t leapt forward in headline-grabbing ways, but the implementation remains thoughtful: a 12-megapixel rear shooter with LiDAR for AR experiences and a landscape-oriented Center Stage front camera that keeps video calls centered and natural. For many buyers, the decision to buy this model will hinge less on photographic ambition and more on the promise of creative workflows that edge ever closer to what used to be the realm of laptops.

Connectivity gets an overhaul too. With Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and, in cellular models, a more power-efficient 5G modem, the iPad Pro stays ahead of the curve in wireless performance and flexibility. These improvements feel less flashy and more functional — things you notice when you’re moving large files, tethering in a café, or syncing across devices. 

For owners of the very recent M4 iPad Pro, the upgrades may feel incremental rather than revolutionary, and the asking price — especially once accessories like the Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro are added — remains a premium proposition. Yet for professionals, creatives, and anyone who truly demands the utmost from a tablet, this iPad Pro represents a rare refinement at the top of a packed market: a machine that balances astonishing performance with a polish and presence few competitors can match. 

If you want that “next-gen” feeling — a sense that your device isn’t just faster but truly more capable — the 2025 iPad Pro with the M5 chip delivers it with a quiet confidence that feels unmistakably Apple.

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3. Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) (Best Pick)

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Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) Key Specifications

Display: 11-inch Ultra Retina Tandem OLED, 1668 x 2420 pixels | Chipset: Apple M4 | OS: iPadOS 17.4 | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | Weight: 444 g (Wi-Fi), 446 g (5G) | Rear Camera: 12MP, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner | Front Camera: 12MP |Battery: 31.29 Wh

Pros

• Unparalleled performance
• Thin and lightweight design
• Stunning OLED display
• Improved camera system
• Excellent battery life
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard

Cons

• Expensive
• Overkill for casual users

The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) is a top-of-the-line tablet designed for professionals who need the most powerful mobile device possible. It’s thinner and lighter than ever before, but still packs a punch with the fastest M4 processor Apple has ever put in an iPad. This makes it perfect for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D design and even advanced gaming. The beautiful OLED display boasts richer colors and deeper blacks, making it ideal for creative professionals who rely on accurate visuals.

Another upgrade is the improved camera system, with a front camera designed for landscape use and a rear camera optimized for document scanning. It also works seamlessly with the latest Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, making it a true laptop replacement for some users.

However, all this power comes at a cost. The iPad Pro 11-inch is quite expensive, and for casual users or those on a budget, the iPad Air (2024) might be a better option. But if you’re a creative professional who needs the absolute best performance and portability, the iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) is the ultimate mobile workstation.

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4. Apple iPad Air (M3) 2025

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Apple iPad Air (M3) 2025 Key Specifications

Pros

• Outstanding and efficient performance
• Lightweight and portable design
• Sharp visuals and accurate colors
• Supports the latest Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
• Incorporates AI-powered tools
• Good gaming performance

Cons

• Design remains the same

Apple’s seventh-generation iPad Air introduces notable enhancements while maintaining the sleek design characteristic of its predecessors. ​

The iPad Air continues to feature slim bezels and an aluminum chassis, now available in four color options: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. You can choose between two display sizes. 11-inch Liquid Retina display which offers a brightness of 500 nits, delivering vibrant visuals suitable for various tasks, and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display which provides a larger canvas with a brightness of 600 nits, ideal for users seeking more screen real estate.​

Both displays support True Tone and wide color (P3), ensuring accurate color reproduction in diverse lighting conditions.

Elsewhere, at the core of the new iPad Air is Apple’s M3 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. This advancement delivers up to 35% faster CPU performance and up to 40% enhanced graphics performance compared to the M1 model, facilitating seamless multitasking and handling of graphics-intensive applications. The M3 chip also introduces support for mesh shading, ray tracing, and dynamic caching, elevating the device’s capabilities in rendering complex visuals. 

The iPad Air’s M3 chip delivers exceptional gaming performance, effortlessly running even the most demanding AAA titles. With hardware-accelerated ray tracing, visuals are more immersive and detailed than ever.

Storage options range from 128GB to 1TB, accommodating various user needs. The iPad Air supports Wi-Fi 6E and offers optional 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet access. ​

Apple’s iPad Air with M3 chip retains a 12-megapixel wide rear camera and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage technology, which keeps users centered during video calls. 

Apple has introduced an updated Magic Keyboard compatible with the new iPad Air. This accessory features a larger trackpad, an additional row of function keys, and a USB-C port for charging, enhancing the device’s versatility for productivity tasks. 

The 2025 iPad Air, powered by the M3 chip, offers significant performance improvements and maintains a user-friendly design. With enhanced accessory support, it caters to both casual users and professionals seeking a versatile tablet experience.

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5. Apple iPad Air (2024) (Affordable Pick)

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Apple iPad Air (2024) Key Specifications

Display: 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 1640 x 2360 pixels | Chipset: Apple M2 | OS: iPadOS 17.4 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm | Weight: 444 g (Wi-Fi), 462 g (5G) | Rear Camera: 12MP | Front Camera: 12MP |Battery: 28.93 Wh

Pros

• Large 11-inch and 13-inch display options
• Significant performance boost with M2 chip
• Long battery life
• Increased base storage capacity (128GB)
• Supports latest Apple Pencil Pro

Cons

• Not compatible with styluses from older iPad Air

Apple has revamped the iPad Air in 2024, making it a compelling option for those seeking more than the basic iPad but not needing the top-of-the-line iPad Pro.

The biggest change is the addition of a spacious 13-inch display alongside the existing 11-inch model. This larger size is ideal for video calls with multiple participants, immersive movie watching, browsing photo albums, and multitasking with split-screen apps.

Performance gets a significant boost thanks to the powerful M2 chip, the same one found in the latest iPad Pro and the cutting-edge Apple Vision Pro headset. This translates to up to 50% faster performance compared to the previous iPad Air with M1.

Addressing a common video call pain point, Apple has relocated the 12MP front-facing camera to the long edge of the iPad Air. This new position makes it perfect for landscape mode video calls, providing a more natural experience.

It’s important to note that the new iPad Air isn’t compatible with the styluses or Magic Keyboard covers designed for the older model. However, it does work with the new Apple Pencils (both Pro and USB-C versions).

Storage capacity gets a welcome bump as well. The base 11-inch model now starts with a generous 128GB, offering ample space for files, photos, and videos. Users can upgrade to even more storage with options of 256GB, 512GB, or a massive 1TB.

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6. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) 

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Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) Key Specifications

Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 2048 x 2732 pixels | Chipset: Apple M2 | OS: iPadOS 16 | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm | Weight: 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) | Rear Camera: 12MP, 10MP, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner | Front Camera: 12MP |Battery: 40.88 Wh

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Stunning display
• Improved Apple Pencil hover
• Excellent battery life
• New multitasking features in iPadOS 16

Cons

• Pricey
• Large

The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) isn’t just a tablet. It packs serious processing power and innovative features. The M2 chip inside is a powerhouse, making it ready for even the most demanding apps and future software. It’s a leap forward from the prior M1 chip, giving this iPad Pro unmatched potential.

Sure, some might say the older M1 chip is enough for everyday tablet tasks, but the M2 chip puts the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) in a league of its own. The large 12.9-inch display uses mini-LED technology, offering superior picture quality compared to smaller iPads. With a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this display is a joy to look at and use. Amazingly, all this tech is packed into a surprisingly thin and light design.

The M2 chip is just the beginning. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) caters to creative professionals with features like secure Face ID login and versatile cameras. It also works with cool accessories like the Apple Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2, which even detects when it hovers over the screen for precise drawing and other creative work.

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) doesn’t come cheap, but if you need the absolute best performance and all the latest features, it’s the ultimate choice for a tablet.

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7. Apple iPad Air (2022) 

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Apple iPad Air (2022)  Key Specifications

Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, 1640 x 2360 pixels | Chipset: Apple M1| OS: iPadOS 15.4 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 64GB/256GB | Connectivity:  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm) | Weight: 1.02 pounds (462 g) | Rear Camera: 12MP | Front Camera: 12MP |  Battery: 28.6 Wh

Pro

• Vibrant display
• Speedy M1 processor
• Light
• Long battery life

Cons

• Limited storage

The Apple iPad Air (2022) is a powerful and affordable tablet that rivals other high-end options. It boasts a super-fast M1 processor with 8GB of RAM, delivering smooth performance on par with the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch. The beautiful 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display is a joy to use, especially with the Apple Pencil 2 for drawing and note-taking.

One downside is the limited storage options, with only 64GB and 256GB available. If you need more storage, the 2021 iPad Pro offers a wider range of capacities. Another drawback is the lack of a headphone jack, which might be inconvenient for some users.

Despite these limitations, the iPad Air (2022) offers exceptional performance at a more attractive price point compared to most high-end tablets. This makes it a great option for users who prioritize performance and affordability.

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8. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) 

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Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)  Key Specifications

Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR Mini LED display, 2048 x 2732 pixels
Chipset: Apple M1 | OS: iPadOS 14.5.1 | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | Connectivity:  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Size: 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm)
Weight: 1.50 pounds (682g) | Rear Camera: 12MP, 10MP | Front Camera: 12MP
Battery: 40.88 Wh

Pros

• Incredible performance
• Durable
• Outstanding display
• Slim build
• Excellent audio

Cons

• Pricey

But the magic doesn’t stop at the display. Under the hood, the iPad Pro 12.9 packs the same M1 chip that powers some Apple devices. This translates to effortless performance, allowing you to breeze through demanding tasks like editing high-resolution photos in Photoshop or churning out complex video projects. Need to create 3D models for a design project? The M1 chip handles it with ease.

With support for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), this tablet transforms into a giant digital canvas. The Pencil’s responsiveness feels incredibly natural, making it perfect for sketching, painting, or note-taking with remarkable precision. It’s like having a real pen on a digital canvas. Highly recommended.

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9. Apple iPad Mini 7 (2024)

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Apple iPad Mini 7 Key Specifications

Pros

• Compact and portable design
• Excellent performance
• More storage options
• Sharp Liquid Retina display
• Supports the Apple Pencil Pro
• Long battery life

Cons

• Front camera remains positioned for portrait mode
• Does not support the Apple Pencil 2

Apple’s iPad Mini 7 continues the tradition of delivering a compact yet powerful tablet experience. Retaining the sleek 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a sharp 326 ppi resolution, it offers vibrant visuals suitable for reading, streaming, and gaming. The device is powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro, ensuring smooth performance for multitasking and demanding applications. 

In terms of design, the iPad Mini 7 maintains the minimalist aesthetic of its predecessor, with the addition of new color options like subtle blue and purple shades. The tablet is lightweight and slim, making it highly portable and easy to handle. 

The front camera remains in the portrait orientation, which may not be ideal for landscape video calls. Additionally, the device does not support the second-generation Apple Pencil, instead offering compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Battery life is consistent with previous models, providing around 10 hours of usage on a single charge. The iPad Mini 7 also supports eSIM for cellular connectivity, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card. ​

The iPad Mini 7 offers a compelling package for users seeking a small yet capable tablet, balancing performance and portability effectively.​

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Best iPads for Photoshop and Illustrator