iPad Accessories: A Quick Compatibility Guide for the Confused

Apple this week expanded the iPad lineup with a new 10th-generation entry-level iPad, a new keyboard, and possibly confusing compatibility with older accessories. The new iPad, for example, does not support the second-generation Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard but is supported by a new “Magic Keyboard Folio” and the first-generation Apple Pencil.

To help make it clear which accessories from Apple are supported by which iPad, we’ve created this guide below, organized by each iPad model currently offered in Apple’s lineup and which accessories they support. The accessories listed below are considered “iPad Essentials” by Apple.

12.9-inch iPad Pro

  • Magic Keyboard
  • Smart Keyboard Folio
  • Smart Folio
  • Second-generation Apple Pencil

11-inch iPad Pro

  • Magic Keyboard
  • Smart Keyboard Folio
  • Smart Folio
  • Second-generation Apple Pencil

5th-generation iPad Air

  • Magic Keyboard
  • Smart Keyboard Folio
  • Smart Folio
  • Second-generation Apple Pencil

10th-generation iPad

  • Magic Keyboard Folio
  • Smart Folio
  • First-generation Apple Pencil
  • USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter

6th-generation iPad mini

  • Smart Folio
  • Second-generation Apple Pencil

9th-generation iPad

  • Smart Keyboard
  • Smart Cover
  • First-generation Apple Pencil

The addition of the new 10th-generation iPad means the iPad lineup is the largest it’s been in recent memory and potentially confusing for customers. Price-wise, the new ‌iPad‌ joins the lineup right before the iPad Air at a starting price of $449. The ninth-generation iPad remains in the lineup at $329.

Compared to the iPad Air, the new entry-level iPad does not feature a laminated display or an anti-reflective coating, lacks support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and is powered by the A14 Bionic chip. Pre-orders for the new entry-level iPad and the new iPad Pro, now featuring the M2 Apple silicon chip, began earlier this week and will begin arriving to customers on Wednesday, October 26.Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Air , iPad Pro, iPad miniBuyer’s Guide: iPad (Buy Now), iPad Air (Neutral), 11″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), iPad Mini (Caution)Related Forum: iPad
This article, “iPad Accessories: A Quick Compatibility Guide for the Confused” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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