iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2018
iPad (6th generation)
Announced at an education event in a Chicago school, it brought Apple Pencil support to the cheap iPad for the first time.
First budget iPad to support the Apple Pencil.
iPad (7th generation) (2019)
iPad (6th generation): key facts
When was the iPad (6th generation) released?
The iPad (6th generation) arrived on March 27, 2018. Apple discontinued it in September 2019.
How much did the iPad (6th generation) cost?
The iPad (6th generation) launched at $329 in 2018, about $411 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A10 Fusion at 2.34 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 display.
Why does the iPad (6th generation) matter?
First budget iPad to support the Apple Pencil.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A10 Fusion · 2.34 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 4 |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Display | 9.7" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR (6-core) |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 469 g |
| Dimensions | 240×169.5×7.5 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 11.3 |
| Released | March 27, 2018 |
| Discontinued | September 2019 |
| Launch price | $329 |
How the iPad (6th generation) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 8.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 2.34 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.4× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 8,190 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $329 in 2018, about $411 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Apple pitched it hard against cheap Chromebooks in classrooms.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad (6th generation) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11