iPad 10th Gen vs iPad Air 5: The Best Black Friday Deal for Students & Gamers (2025)

iPad 10 vs iPad Air 5 black friday 2025 comparison

It’s Black Friday 2025, and Apple’s lineup has never been more confusing. You go to Amazon or Best Buy, and you see two tempting options: the colorful iPad 10th Gen (now heavily discounted) and the powerful iPad Air 5 (M1).

The price gap has narrowed significantly this week. So, for a student or a casual gamer, is it worth paying extra for the Air? Or is the entry-level iPad finally "Good Enough"?

I’ve tested both devices extensively. Here is my honest breakdown to help you spend your money wisely.

1. The Chipset: A14 vs M1

This is the biggest difference.

iPad 10: Runs on the A14 Bionic (Same as iPhone 12). It handles Netflix, web browsing, and note-taking perfectly.
iPad Air 5: Runs on the M1 Chip. This is desktop-class silicon.
The Verdict: If you plan to use AI tools or heavy video editing, you need the M1.
Related: Speaking of AI, if you get the M1 iPad, you can run some powerful tools. Check out our list of [13+ Essential AI Tools for Content Creators in 2025].

2. The Screen Controversy (60Hz)

Let's be real. Both screens are capped at 60Hz. In 2025, it is frankly ridiculous that a $500+ device doesn't have a 120Hz (ProMotion) screen. If you are a PC gamer used to 144Hz monitors, both iPads will feel slightly "choppy" when scrolling.

Winner: Tie (Both are decent Liquid Retina displays, but neither is "Pro").

3. Gaming Performance

I tested Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.

iPad 10: Runs Medium/High settings at 60FPS. The phone gets warm.
iPad Air 5: Runs Max settings without breaking a sweat. Plus, the M1 chip allows for faster stage loading.

4. The Black Friday "Sweet Spot"

Right now, the iPad 10th Gen has dropped to an all-time low price. For 90% of users (Students who just want to take notes on GoodNotes or watch YouTube), the iPad 10 is the winner. Use the saved money to buy the Apple Pencil.

However, if you want to keep this tablet for 4-5 years, get the iPad Air 5. The 8GB RAM in the M1 chip makes it future-proof.