Design and Build

The new Apple iPad 6, a quite good and cheap iPad, has a frame made of high-quality aluminum only 7.5mm thick and weighing 469g (Wi-Fi). The iPad 6 comes in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colours and gets the 1st generation of the Apple Pencil that draws well and is quite convenient to carry around, which is a great combination for students and artists. It lacks IP-rated water resistance but it is made of good quality materials, so it serves a premium design in the mid-range market.

• Aluminum build, 7.5mm thick
• 469g (Wi-Fi model)
• 9.7-inch Retina display
• Apple Pencil (1st-gen) support

Display

With a 9.7-inch Retina IPS LCD at 2048 x 1536 resolution and 264 PPI, the iPad 6 displays vivid colors for watching movies, playing games, and creative work. The oleophobic-coated screen repels fingerprints, however, it still maintains the clarity, and color representation, which means it is the number one budget iPad for educational and occasional users. It is more or less 500 nits of brightness, which is enough for both wearing and outdoor usage.

• Retina display, 2048 x 1536, 264 PPI
• ~500 nits brightness
• Oleophobic coating
• 60Hz refresh rate

Performance and Software

For the iPad 6, A10 Fusion chip result in smooth multitasking and gaming thanks to its quad-core (2.34GHz) power together with 2GB of RAM and 32GB/128GB storage. The 6th iPad runs iOS 11, which can be upgraded to 17, and it has lots of apps of the latest age and the programs typical for Apple like iCloud and Apple Pay, etc. All in all, this machine beats the iPad 5 and deserves a place among the contemporary collection of budget-friendly iPads that are used for productivity and entertainment.

• A10 Fusion, quad-core
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB/128GB storage
• iPadOS 17 support

Battery and Charging

The iPad 6’s 8827mAh battery offers up to 10 hours of video playback or web use, ideal for long study sessions or travel. Its 12W Lightning charging takes ~4 hours for a full charge. While it doesn’t support fast charging, its battery life and affordability make it a top pick for students and casual users.

• 8827mAh battery
• Up to 10h video playback
• 12W Lightning charging
• No wireless charging

Pricing Details

During the initial period of its release in March 2018, the iPad 6, 32GB Wi-Fi was priced at $329, which was a very budget-friendly offer and it still holds true in 2025. Now whoever is interested can pick up from a selection of refurbished items mostly costing from $120 to $220, meaning that the units are of great value to students and general users. It also supports Apple Pencil and shows a great overall performance, which makes it a go-to device and the best affordable iPad for doing writing tasks and creative works.