iPads generally cost more upfront, but the price gap depends on which models you compare

iPad prices start around $329 for the base iPad and go up to $1,099 or more for the iPad Pro. Android tablets range from under $100 for budget models to $650 for high-end Samsung Galaxy Tabs. If you line up similar screen sizes and processing power, iPads typically cost $150 to $300 more than their Android counterparts. The difference narrows if you buy older iPad models or wait for sales, but new iPad releases almost always price higher than new Android tablets with comparable specs.

The price difference matters most if you plan to keep the device for several years. iPads hold their resale value better than Android tablets, so the real cost of ownership — what you pay minus what you can sell it for later — is often closer than the sticker price suggests. Android tablets depreciate faster, which means you lose more money if you sell after two or three years.

Key Takeaways

  • New iPad models cost $150 to $300 more than Android tablets with similar screen size and processing power.
  • iPad Pro models start at $799, while comparable Samsung Galaxy Tab S models start around $450 to $550.
  • iPads hold resale value better, so the total cost over three years is often closer than the initial price difference.
  • Budget Android tablets under $200 have no iPad equivalent, making them the cheaper choice if you want a basic device.
  • Sales and older models can narrow the gap — last year's iPad often costs less than a new mid-range Android tablet.

How iPad pricing breaks down by model

Apple sells four main iPad lines, each at a different price point. The base iPad starts at $329 for 64 GB of storage. The iPad Air begins at $599. The iPad Pro 11-inch starts at $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $999. Each step up adds a faster processor, a better screen, or both. Storage upgrades cost $100 to $200 extra depending on the model.

Apple rarely discounts new iPad models, so you pay the full price for the first few months after release. Discounts appear after three to six months, usually $30 to $80 off. Older models drop in price once a new version launches — a one-year-old iPad Air might cost $450 instead of $599. This matters because the older model often performs nearly as well for most tasks like reading, video, and web browsing.

How Android tablet pricing breaks down by brand

Samsung dominates the Android tablet market and offers the widest range of prices. The Galaxy Tab A7 costs around $150 to $200 and targets budget buyers. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite sits at $350 and competes with the base iPad. The Galaxy Tab S9 starts at $450 for the 11-inch model and $550 for the 12.9-inch, directly competing with iPad Air pricing. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, Samsung's flagship, costs $650 to $750.

Other Android tablet makers include Lenovo, Amazon, and OnePlus, but they sell far fewer units than Samsung. Lenovo's Tab P11 Pro costs around $500. Amazon's Fire tablets start at $100 but run a modified version of Android with heavy Amazon integration, so they are not true Android tablets. OnePlus tablets are sold mainly in Asia and are hard to find in North America. Samsung's pricing is the most relevant comparison because Samsung tablets are the easiest to buy and the most widely reviewed.

Why iPads cost more: processor, software, and ecosystem

Apple's A-series chips (A14, A15, A16) are faster than most Android tablet processors at the same price point. This speed advantage matters for video editing, gaming, and running multiple apps at once. However, most people use tablets for reading, streaming video, and web browsing — tasks where the speed difference is invisible. A $200 Android tablet handles these tasks as smoothly as a $600 iPad.

iPadOS is tightly integrated with Apple hardware, which means the software runs more efficiently on iPad than Android runs on tablets. Android is designed to work across hundreds of devices with different screen sizes and processors, so manufacturers have to optimize it for each model. This fragmentation does not make Android tablets bad, but it means Apple can charge more because the experience is more polished out of the box.

The ecosystem advantage is real if you already own Apple devices. If you have an iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch, an iPad syncs seamlessly with those devices — photos, notes, and passwords flow between them automatically. An Android tablet does not integrate as tightly with an iPhone. This lock-in effect lets Apple charge a premium because switching to Android means losing that convenience.

Resale value and long-term cost

An iPad bought for $600 typically sells for $350 to $400 after two years. A Samsung Galaxy Tab S bought for $450 typically sells for $200 to $250 after two years. The iPad loses about 40 percent of its value; the Samsung loses about 50 percent. Over three years, the gap widens further.

This matters if you upgrade every few years. If you buy a new iPad every three years, your real cost is the purchase price minus the resale price. A $600 iPad that sells for $300 costs you $300 per three-year cycle. A $450 Android tablet that sells for $150 costs you $300 per three-year cycle — the same. But if you keep a device for five years, the iPad's better resale value does not help you, and the lower upfront cost of Android becomes the advantage.

When Android tablets are the better value

If your budget is under $300, Android is your only choice. No iPad costs less than $329, and that base model has a smaller screen and older processor than Android tablets at the same price. A $200 Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 or Lenovo Tab P11 will handle email, reading, video, and web browsing just as well as a $600 iPad for most people.

Android is also better value if you plan to keep a tablet for five or more years without upgrading. The lower upfront cost matters more than resale value in that scenario. And if you use Android phones and already have Google accounts set up, an Android tablet integrates more naturally into your workflow than an iPad would.

When iPads are worth the extra cost

If you use your tablet for creative work — photo editing, video production, or digital drawing — iPad's app ecosystem is deeper. Adobe Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, and Procreate are more powerful on iPad than their Android versions. If you plan to upgrade every two to three years, the better resale value of iPads narrows the real cost difference. And if you already own other Apple devices, the seamless integration saves time and frustration.

iPad is also the safer choice if you want a device that will receive software updates for seven or more years. Apple supports iPads for five to seven years after release. Most Android tablet makers support their devices for only three to four years, which means you will stop receiving security updates sooner. If longevity matters to you, the extra upfront cost of an iPad spreads across more years of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the cheapest iPad worth buying over a budget Android tablet?

The base iPad at $329 is worth it if you plan to keep it for three or more years or if you own other Apple devices. If you want the lowest price and do not care about the Apple ecosystem, a $150 to $200 Android tablet does the same job for reading, video, and web browsing. The iPad's advantage is longevity and resale value, not when ready performance.

Do Android tablets get the same apps as iPads?

Most popular apps like Netflix, Gmail, and Spotify work on both. Creative apps like Procreate, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Lightroom are more powerful on iPad or available only on iPad. If you do not use specialized creative software, the app difference will not affect you.

How long do Android tablets receive software updates?

Samsung Galaxy Tab S models typically receive three to four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches. iPads receive updates for five to seven years. If you plan to use a tablet for longer than four years, iPad's longer update window is a real advantage.

Can I save money by buying an older iPad instead of a new Android tablet?

Yes. A two-year-old iPad Air often costs $400 to $450 and outperforms a new $300 Android tablet. Check the processor generation and storage before buying used — an iPad from five or more years ago may not receive the latest software updates.

What is the cheapest way to get an iPad?

Buy the base iPad model during a sale (usually $30 to $80 off), or buy a one-year-old iPad Air or iPad Pro when the new model launches. Refurbished iPads sold by Apple directly come with a one-year warranty and cost 15 percent less than new.