Looking for the best iPads for photo editing, video, and photography? If money's no object, then we'd say the iPad Pro M4 is your best option, because it's super-fast, has a beautiful and bright screen, and the best cameras you can get in an iPad. But all that power and screen quality comes at a high price, so we've also included some more affordable options in our list below.
iPads are generally solid choices as the best tablets for photographers because they're reliable, powerful enough to run Photoshop for iPad and Affinity Photo, and come with accurate, detailed displays. We're basing our recommendations in this list on our experience with reviewing and testing these models, as well as simply using them from day to day.
Note, though, that you won't be able to run the full versions of Photoshop or Lightroom on any iPad. So if you'd prefer a Windows tablet instead, you'll find some top recommendations in our guide to the best tablets for photo editing.
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. With several years of experience as a photographer and videographer, shooting for some household names, he has learned a thing or two about cameras and the photography industry. Outside of photography, expect to find him cycling around London, or deep in a Netflix binge.
The Quick List
Looking for a quick guide as to which iPad is best for your needs? Here's our overview, and if you want to read a more in-depth explanation, just click on the link to jump to the longer write-up.
This is our top pick, with a larger, higher-res, brighter screen than any other iPad, and the power of an M4 chip. It also has the best cameras, great battery life, and Apple Pencil 2 support.
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The iPad Air M2 is a major step up from its predecessor, with benchmark scores that actually beat the M1 iPad Pro. This makes for a superb balance of performance and value.
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This is the better of Apple's cheaper iPads, thanks to its larger screen, USB-C port for cameras and storage, and superior rear camera. The A14 chip is perfectly capable of photo editing.
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Despite its small size, the 2024 iPad mini's A17 Pro chip is very capable for photo editing tasks. You also get improved Smart HDR 4 camera processing and AI-powered features.
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This cheaper 2021 iPad nonetheless offers an impressive screen and other advanced features, and the older M1 is still pretty fast; certainly enough for photo editing.
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The older design, lack of USB-C port and Apple Pencil 1 support make this a weaker choice, but it's also the cheapest – especially if it's discounted – so it's a good choice if you're on a budget.
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The best iPad in 2024
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The best iPad for photo editing overall
✅ You want fine Apple Pencil control: Unlike non-Pro iPad, this features the Apple Pencil 2's 'hover' feature that works like a drawing tablet, so you can see exactly where the Pencil will edit before you touch the screen.
✅ You want as much power as possible: With an Apple M2 chip with up to 16GB of RAM, this has more potential than the last Intel MacBook Pros. It can handle anything that any iPadOS app can throw at it.
❌ Adobe iPad apps aren't on par with desktop version: In our experience, the versions of Lightroom and Photoshop on iPad pale in comparison to what you can fo on the desktop version.
❌ You're on a budget: Not only is even the base model expensive to buy, but that version only has 128GB of storage, which may not be enough for your photo/video ambitions. This needs deep pockets.
The latest iPad Pro (M4) is the best iPad for photo editing – as you'd hope, considering that it starts around the same price as a MacBook Air. For that price, you get Apple's laptop-class M4 processor that's more powerful than 16-inch MacBook Pros from only a few years ago, plus an astounding screen that's unique to this iPad in the current range.
This makes this a more powerful device when it comes to processing your pictures’ pixels than any of the other tablets in this guide. This should make it an attractive purchase to image editors working with large Raw files. Thanks to the iPad Pro M4’s Ultra Retina XDR OLED display you’ll be able to edit more colors and tones and display deeper blacks and whiter whites thanks to the striking contrast range of 2,000,000:1 which is produced by combining the output of two OLED panels.
It has a 'ProMotion' 120Hz refresh rate that's fantastic for drawing or fine editing with the Apple Pencil, and the 12.9 and 11-inch iPad Pros also support a new 'hover' feature of the Apple Pencil, in which your stylus is now detected up to 12mm above the screen, allowing you to see a preview of your mark before they make it.
As you might expect, this combines into a sublime editing experience. We've found that you can stack an image with layers and effects, and there's no delay or lag when making changes. You can make all kinds of real-time edits, even to 4K video, and it never breaks a sweat. In our experience, you're less likely to hit performance limits than RAM limits – on the tablet with 8GB of RAM (all models up to 512GB), apps max out at 6GB of RAM; on the 16GB version (1TB/2TB models), it's a 12GB limit. Making standard photo edits won't be a problem, but you can certainly hit it if you're going to stack multiple layers of huge DSLR photos. Still, you have to work hard to manage that; for 99% of us, it's more power than you can reasonably ever use.
The downside of editing on an iPad rather than a laptop is that photo-fixing apps such as Lightroom tend to lack some of the tools of their desktop counterparts - though the iOS version of Photoshop is perfect for photo-fixers who don’t need to get bogged down with irrelevant or gimmicky tools (such as Puppet Warp or Vanishing Point).
It also has the best camera setup of the iPads. A regular wide-angle and ultra-wide combine for some of the best pics you can get on any tablet, though obviously this is far behind the best camera phones still.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (M4) review
The best-value iPad for photo editing
✅ You want high performance for less: The M2 chip is extremely capable for photo editing.
✅ You want the latest Pencil features: You'll get full support for the new Apple Pencil Pro.
✅ You need a balance of power and price: Get premium capabilities without the premium price tag of the iPad Pro.
❌ You need maximum GPU power: While capable, the 9-core GPU isn't quite as powerful as the iPad Pro's.
❌ You want the best display technology: This model doesn't have the nano-texture glass option, and lacks the Ultra Retina XDR display found in the Pro.
❌ You require Magic Keyboard compatibility: The latest Magic Keyboard is exclusively compatible with iPad Pro.
The latest iPad Air (M2, 2024) represents a major step up from its predecessor, with benchmark scores that beat the M1 iPad Pro. Starting from £799, it offers photographers an excellent balance of performance and value.
The 13-inch display provides ample screen real estate for detailed photo editing, with good brightness levels and an anti-glare coating, though it doesn't match the Pro's nano-texture option.
The M2 chip with 8GB of RAM handles photo editing with ease. There's virtually no lag when working with complex edits, and the storage options (now up to 1TB) mean you won't run out of space too quickly. The support for the new Apple Pencil Pro adds valuable features for precise editing work, including haptic feedback and hover capabilities.
In short, while it may lack some of the Pro's premium features, like the Ultra Retina XDR display and maximum GPU power, it's more than capable of handling most photographers' photo editing workflows; and all at a more affordable price.
The best basic iPad for photo editing
✅ You want quality on a budget: This iPad features a slick design and many features to match the iPad Air for a lower price.
✅ You want good battery performance: Using a phone chip instead of a laptop chip gives this better longevity than the tablets above it in this list.
✅ You're ready for the USB-C future: This is Apple's cheapest tablet with this better connector – great for attaching to storage or your camera.
❌ You want a lot of headroom for apps: The A14 chip is absolutely fine for simple photo or video editing, but if you'll get advanced, you may hit its limits.
❌ Reflections will be a problem: The screen has the same brightness as the iPad Air, but has a more basic build to its layers that's prone to reflections.
❌ You want Apple Pencil 2 support: You might assume this supports it, and its cool magnetic charging, from the design. But nope: you need the Apple Pencil USB-C or first-gen model here.
Launched in October 2022, this basic iPad may not be as advanced as the first three on our list but is still a very competent tablet for its $449 / £499 price. You get a screen the same size, brightness and resolution as the iPad Air's, wrapped up in an aluminum frame that looks like the Air's too. There's a USB-C port for connecting to devices, and cameras front and back. So, just as good as the Air for less? Well, not quite.
The screen doesn't support the wider DCI-P3 color gamut that the Air's does, but that's fine unless you're doing real pro work on it. The bigger issue may be that it's not laminated, like the Air's is. This means there's a bigger gap between the glass and the pixels, and this not only takes some of the vibrance out of the image, it also means it's more prone to reflections, so is less ideal outdoors. In the real world, this makes a difference – we've been able to see it clearly when comparing the two.
The other major change is the lack of Apple Pencil 2 support. Instead, you have to use Apple Pencil v1 (here's our Apple Pencil 1 vs 2 guide), or the new Apple Pencil with USB-C. And choosing between the two Pencil options is not a simple choice; the Pencil v1 feature pressure sensitivity but needs an extra adapter to pair and charge from this iPad; the Pencil with USB-C is easier to charge and connect, but lacks the pressure sensitivity of the Pencil v1.
However, in general use, this feels like a very slick and capable iPad. The screen is highly detailed and still generally rich and accurate, and the Apple A14 chip that powers it is very fast. Compared to the beastly laptop chips in the Air and Pro tablets, you won't even really notice the difference in light editing or just when using the tablet overall. The difference is more about room to grow: we've hit the RAM limit on Apple's lower-end processors by creating large image documents with multiple layers. An M1 chip will grow with you in your journey to replace your laptop with your iPad – the A14 chip is very much a companion to a computer for the hardcore work.
But if you want a fantastic, great-looking tablet that's also capable of being a great monitor or addition to your photo and video arsenal, this is great. Unless you want to take photos with its built-in camera. That's not so great…
Read our full Apple iPad 10.9-inch (10th Gen, 2022) review
The best small iPad for photo editing
✅ You need serious power in a small package: The A17 Pro chip delivers 30% faster CPU and enhanced Neural Engine performance.
✅ You want advanced Pencil features: You get full support for the new Apple Pencil Pro with haptics, hover, and barrel roll capabilities.
❌ You need a larger editing canvas: The 8.3-inch screen might feel cramped for detailed editing work.
❌ You want the smoothest display: The 60Hz refresh rate lacks the fluidity of ProMotion displays.
❌ You require maximum screen brightness: It doesn't match the brightness levels of iPad Pro models.
Despite its small size, the 2024 iPad mini packs impressive power with the A17 Pro chip, making it surprisingly capable for photo editing tasks. The improved Smart HDR 4 camera processing and AI-powered features also make it an interesting option for photographers who prioritize mobility.
In practical use, the mini handles creative apps with impressive speed, and the new 10Gbps USB-C port makes transferring large photo files much quicker than before. The support for Apple Pencil Pro adds precise editing capabilities with features like haptic feedback and hover preview. While the 60Hz display might not be ideal for everyone, the fully laminated screen with anti-reflective coating still provides good clarity and color accuracy.
Starting at $499/£499, it's an attractive option for photographers who need a highly portable editing device. The increased base storage of 128GB makes it more practical for photo storage, though some might want to opt for the larger capacity models. While it may not replace a larger iPad for serious editing sessions, it's an excellent companion device for photographers who value portability above all else.
The best 12-inch iPad for photographers
✅ You want that beautiful Pro screen for less: This has an identical mini-LED screen to the 2022 model.
✅ M1 is fast enough for you: The difference between 'exceptionally fast' and 'mind-blowingly fast' is not huge.
✅ You can live without Apple Pencil hover: If you're not looking for ultra-precise pixel tweaking or drawing, that won't be an issue.
❌ You want storage flexibility: This is only available in whatever stock is still around, so you may not get the exact size you're hoping for.
❌ You're a hardcore iPad videographer: The new Pro has ProRes video recording from its own cameras. This doesn't. Not a deal-breaker for everyone, but maybe for some.
❌ You want the ultimate in future-proofing: The extra power of the M2 may seem unnecessary, but it also provides longevity for future features and upgrades.
The previous version of the large iPad Pro launched in 2021, and though it isn't sold by Apple any more, you can still find it at some retailers, and it may be available for 25% less than the new model – which is a bargain, really, because you're only missing out on a couple of elements from the new model.
You get the same absolutely beautiful mini-LED screen with 1,600 nits of peak brightness, the same picture quality, the same resolution, the same 120Hz refresh rate for Apple Pencil 2 drawing and editing. The design is the same, the weight is the same – in most uses, you wouldn't notice any difference.
But there are differences. The Apple M2 chip is more powerful, and while again it's very hard to actually pick up on this, the M2 is more future-proof – a much faster Neural Engine will support more advanced machine-learning features in the future, for example. The new model also has faster Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and better image processing. It also can't record ProRes video, and lacks the Apple Pencil hover feature for more precise editing.
But for 99% of people, there's no meaningful difference between the old model and the new one. We still use this iPad all the time for all kinds of tasks, and we've never wanted for anything. As long as you can find it with the amount of storage you need among the remaining models, then it's a superb large option.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1 review for more details.
The cheapest current iPad you can get
✅ You want the cheapest iPad: This is often available for a third less than the 10.9-inch model.
✅ You'll only do basic edits: The A13 chip here may be older, but it's perfectly capable of reviewing or improving high-res pictures, as long as you won't get into heavily layered images.
✅ You won't be too precious with it: The older design has a couple of advantages, in that it's less pretty and disappointing to scuff when out and about, and the extra frame around the edge can protect the screen more if it falls.
❌ You want the best Apple Pencil support: The original Apple Pencil is awkward to charge, and has no storage option on the iPad itself. But it works very well.
❌ You want to actually take pictures: The camera here is way out of date, and it's up to much that isn't in bright sunlight.
❌ You want to connect anything to it: This is the only iPad without USB-C, so you'd need an extra adapter to connect to storage or a camera.
This cheapest iPad is still available from Apple directly, and its already low £369 official price is regularly augmented by extra discounts from other retailers (it's always full price at Apple, though), so it's easily the cheapest way to take a good-size, decent-quality screen away to review photos or video easily.
The A13 chip inside is the one here where you're most likely to hit limitations on what it can do, especially when it comes to the amount memory for multi-layered files. But again, if you're looking at making basic edits only, it'll handle those just fine. The screen is essentially the same in quality as the iPad 10.9-inch, just a bit smaller – that means it's still detailed, still accurate with colours, but still prone to reflections due to not being fully laminated and lacking in DCI-P3 colour support.
The older design with large bezels here means that the tablet as a whole is about the same physical size as the 10.9-inch iPad, despite the smaller display. It's also the only model to lack a USB-C port, so if you want to connect to a camera or storage using a cable, you'd need an adapter, and it's not as fast as USB-C. Apple Pencil 1 support means you can make precise edits, but it lacks the convenient charging and storage of higher-tier models.
This is a perfectly good tablet for viewing photos in our experience, especially for the right price – it just doesn't offer much scope beyond that, unlike the more powerful options. It's also very poor at taking photos, so it's for viewing and editing only.
How we test the best iPads for photographers
Our writers have used all these iPads in real life, having reviewed not only these models, but many previous models too, so we're able to compare to what's come before.
What does testing mean? Our writers have taken pictures with the front and rear cameras in various conditions to see how those perform, and have used these iPads to view and edit photos and videos, to how the screens perform, and how fast they are to apply different kinds of edits.
When we talk about pushing them to see what kind of high performance they have, we used multi-layered images in image editing apps too what kind of complexity causes them to hit their RAM limits, and to see what kind of edits may cause them to slow down.
For testing the battery life, we usually test by streaming videos as a standard benchmark to see how long they can last. But we will also use them for work and editing in real life, and keep track of how much power is lost per hour. These tasks might include working through an image library and assessing/lightly editing pictures, or working in a video editing app for an hour.
