Best Apple Art & Design Tablets in 2026

The Apple A10 Fusion chip and 10.2-inch display provide a reliable experience for basic tasks within iPadOS 15.4. The Touch ID sensor and refurbished pricing make it an accessible entry point into the Apple ecosystem. This tablet is best for casual users focused on reading and entertainment who don't require high performance.

The Apple A12X Fusion chip still drives a smooth iPadOS 15.4 experience on a sharp 2388×1668 Liquid Retina display with ProMotion. Its slim, flat-edged design remains premium and fully compatible with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and keyboard connector for a laptop-like workflow. This refurbished model is best for digital sketchers and note-takers who prioritize a high-refresh-rate screen on a budget.

The M4 8-core chip with a 16-core Neural Engine and 12GB of unified memory delivers a 50% memory boost over the prior generation for fluid 4K editing and AI tasks. Its 13-inch Liquid Retina display with 264 ppi and support for Apple Pencil Pro offers a precise, color-accurate canvas in a 617-gram portable build. This tablet is best for digital artists and illustrators who need a large, responsive touchscreen with low-latency stylus input.