What are all the differences between the 10.2" iPad 7th Gen (2019) models and the 9.7" iPad 6th Gen (2018) models replaced?

Please note that the iPad 6th Gen (2018) and iPad 7th Gen (2019) models all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently with current iOS support details and more and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these tablets on the used market.

There are two iPad 6th Gen models -- the iPad 9.7" 6th Gen (Wi-Fi) and iPad 9.7" 6th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular) -- and four iPad 7th Gen models -- the iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA), iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global), and iPad 10.2" 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China).

For simplicity's sake, this EveryiPad.com Q&A refers to these tablets as the iPad 6 and iPad 7 models, which is what users commonly call them.

Obviously, these two lines use different displays, but there are some more subtle differences that also are important to understand. The similarities can be worthwhile to know, as well.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 7 Colors - Silver, Gold & Space Gray)

External Design & Functionality Differences

The iPad 6 and iPad 7 look similar on first glance. Color options are the same -- a white front and silver colored back, a white front and gold colored back, or a black front and "Space Gray" back for both lines. Both have a bezel around the displays and gently rounded edges.

The dimensions are different, though. The iPad 7 models are a tiny bit taller and wider than their predecessors and a tiny bit heavier, as well, but not enough to be noticeable.

What is noticeable is that the iPad 7 has a bigger screen; a 10.2" (2160x1620) display instead of a 9.7" (2048x1536) display. Both displays are 264 ppi and have the same "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coating. Neither have an antireflective surface nor is either laminated. This lack of lamination means there is a small gap between the glass cover and the LCD, but it also means that the display is easier and less expensive to replace.

Both the iPad 6 and iPad 7 support the original Apple Pencil (MK0C2AM/A), but only the iPad 7 has a "Smart Connector" to support a size-specific Apple Smart Keyboard (MPTL2LL/A). The iPad 6 will work with any number of third-party Bluetooth keyboards, but the iPad 7 is the first regular, full-size iPad to work with Apple's option.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 7 with Apple Pencil & Smart Keyboard)

The iPad 6 and iPad 7 models have the same cameras -- a rear-mounted 8 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills and 1080p 30 fps video and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills and 720p video. Both models support "Retina Flash," which turns the entire screen into a flash for improved selfies, as well.

Other external features that both lines share include the same "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button, "Lightning" port for power and connectivity, and headphone jack.

Internal Differences

The iPad 6 and iPad 7 both are powered by the same 2.33 GHz dual-core Apple A10 Fusion processor and M10 motion coprocessor and could be configured with either 32 GB or 128 GB of storage. Both have the same accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass and barometer and the same support for dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2, too.

Both lines provide the same estimated 9-10 hours of battery life, also; 9 hours for cellular-capable models on cellular and 10 hours of battery life for all models on Wi-Fi.

However, the iPad 7 models have 3 GB of RAM (instead of just 2 GB), and support more advanced LTE, as well:

	iPad 6	iPad 7
Clockspeed:	2.33 GHz	2.3 GHz
Processor:	Apple A10 Fusion	Apple A10 Fusion
RAM:	2 GB	3 GB
Storage:	32/128 GB	32/128 GB
CDMA Option:	Yes	No
LTE Options (US):	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71

In terms of overall performance, the Geekbench 4 benchmark estimates that the iPad 6 and iPad 7 effectively are the same speed.

Remember that you can compare side-by-side performance benchmarks for all iPad models with EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature.

Identification Differences

Although if the iPad 6 and iPad 7 can be differentiated by display size when they are next to one another, it is not possible to visually differentiate between all of the models in either line. Furthermore, because many iPad models look quite similar to one another, visual identification is not a good method regardless.

Instead, one of the best ways to externally identify these models is by Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad.

As the site has for decades now, EveryiPad.com has meticulously hand documented these identifiers for your convenience:

iPad	Model Number
iPad 9.7" 6 (Wi-Fi)	A1893
iPad 9.7" 6 (Wi-Fi/Cellular)	A1954
iPad 10.2" 7 (Wi-Fi Only)	A2197
iPad 10.2" 7 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, US/CA)	A2200
iPad 10.2" 7 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, Global)	A2198
iPad 10.2" 7 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China)	A2199

These iPad models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iOS. For example, the Wi-Fi only configuration of the iPad 7 in silver with 128 GB of storage is MW782LL/A.

To track down an exact iPad by a variety of different identifiers -- including its Serial Number -- please refer to EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iLookup feature.

iOS Support Differences

The iPad 6 models first shipped with iOS 11 and the iPad 7 models first shipped with iOS 13 (iPadOS).

The iPad 6 models also support iOS 13 with the exception of the minor Adjust Portrait Lighting and "High-Key Mono" photography functionality and modest AR features (Motion Capture and People Occlusion). Both lines also support iPadOS 14, but neither support the minor Location Anchors and On-Device Dictation features.

Finally, the iPad 6 and iPad 7 both support the current version of the iPadOS, iPadOS 15, but neither supports the Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, Maps - 3D Landmarks, Interactive Globe, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, or Visual Look Up features.

Pricing Differences

Both the iPad 6 and iPad 7 models originally were sold at the same price points:

Capacity:	32 GB	128 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$329	US$429
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$459	US$559

Of course, on the used market, both are now sold at lower prices.

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

So, should I buy an iPad 6 or an iPad 7?

Ignoring newer iPad models, and only comparing the the iPad 6 and iPad 7, the iPad 7 (1) has a modestly larger display, (2) Apple Smart Keyboard support, (3) an extra 1 GB of RAM (which might mean that it will support the iOS for longer), and (4) the cellular-capable models have faster LTE options.

For most users, the iPad 7 probably is the best option, but the differences are so modest that the iPad 6 definitely remains well worth consideration, particularly given that the two tablets are the same speed and that the iPad 6 costs less on the used market.

iPad Purchase & Sale Options

There are many places to buy a new or used iPad. However, purchasing your tablet from a quality company with good knowledge of the market -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).