Apple announced a number of new products at its September Time Flies event, including an update to its 10.2in iPad from 2019.
The new 8th-gen iPad now comes packed with a new A12 Bionic chip that promises better performance, twice the graphics power, and all the benefits of the Neural Engine (more on this below).
Perhaps the greatest news of all is that the new iPad will also be cheaper than last year’s model (hooray!).
The new iPad 2020 went on sale Friday 18 September over at Apple.
Here we’re looking at all the retailers offering the new iPad 2020 and where you can get the best deal. The bad news is that iPad 2020 stocks are low and some retailers are out of stock. The good news is, we’ve done some digging however and have found all the places you can buy the iPad 8 right now – whether on its own or on contract.
Where to buy the iPad 2020 (8th Gen.)
You can buy the 10.2in iPad directly from Apple. Delivery is free but it will take at least two to three weeks to arrive. If you want it sooner, you may have to look elsewhere.
Currys PC World has the device is in stock, where it’s available for free standard delivery (3-5 days), collection, or next day delivery (for £5). Get the iPad 8 from Currys now.
Here are all the retailers that are selling the iPad 8th gen (2020):
- Amazon – limited stock
- AO – only the 32GB model with Wi-Fi
- Argos – in stock
- John Lewis – in stock
- Very – in stock
- KRCS – limited stock
- Laptops Direct – in stock but over-priced
- O2 – Free next day delivery, plans start at £25 per month, £20 upfront for 1GB data (includes 6 months of Disney+)
1. Apple iPad 10.2 (2020, 128GB)
Now: £419 (£10 off + £60 off McAfee LiveSafe)
View Deal
You can get the same deal from John Lewis, though AO’s deal also saves you £60 on McAfee LiveSafe with purchase. Just use code MCAFEE60 at checkout.
2. Apple iPad (2020, 32GB)
Pick up the 8th generation iPad from Costco with £10 off. This is the lowest price we’re seeing right now. There’s also
3. Apple iPad 10.2in (32GB, 2020) – Wi-Fi only
Now: £329 (with 5 months of Apple News+, Arcade and Music)
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The iPad 2020 with 32GB storage doesn’t have a discount from Currys PC World, but you do get 5 months of Apple services for free.
4. Apple iPad 10.2 (2020, 32GB)
Now: £329 (with £60 off McAfee LiveSafe)
View Deal
This offer from AO won’t save you on the device itself, but you do save £60 on McAfee LiveSafe with purchase. Just use code MCAFEE60 at checkout.
5. Apple iPad 10.2in (32GB, 2020) Wi-Fi + Cellular with 1GB data
Now: From £16 per month
View Deal
This is currently the cheapest monthly rate we can see on the iPad 2020. It’s on a 48-month term, mind you so you will be paying more than the device’s standalone cost.
6. Apple iPad 10.2in (32GB, 2020) with 10GB data
Now: £31 per month, £20 upfront (with 3 months of Disney+)
View Deal
O2’s deal includes 3 months of Disney+ with the iPad 2020. Keep in mind this contract is for 48 months. You can choose shorter terms, but that will raise the monthly rate.
The following retailers are currently out of stock but keep an eye on them:
Where to get refurbished iPad deals
Be sure to check the Apple Refurbished Store for discounts on a refurbished iPad 8. These are devices are Apple certified to function and look just like new, but at prices up to 15% lower than the RRP.
We can’t see the 10.2in iPad at the Refurbished Store at the moment, but here are a few alternatives worth checking out:
How much does the iPad 2020 cost?
The new iPad is available in 32GB and 128GB storage capacities, both of which are available with cellular connectivity:
- iPad 10.2in (2020, 32GB): £329/$329/AUD$499
- iPad 10.2in (2020, 128GB): £429/$429/AUD$649
- iPad 10.2in (2020, 32GB, cellular): £459/$459/AUD$699
- iPad 10.2in (2020, 128GB, cellular): £559/$559/AUD$849
This makes the 8th generation iPad £20 cheaper in the UK than its 2019 predecessor, which had prices as follows (though US pricing remains the same) :
- Wi-Fi, 32GB – £349/US$329
- Wi-Fi, 128GB – £449/US$429
- Wi-Fi + Cellular, 32GB – £479/US$459
- Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB – £579/US$559
Is there an Apple Education discount on the iPad 2020?
Yes, if you’re affiliated with a university – whether a student, staff, or parent of a university student – you can get an Apple Education discount. Apple’s current promotion includes a credit towards a free pair of Apple AirPods.
Read more about Apple’s Back to School sale.
Should I get the 10.2in iPad 8th gen (2020)?
The 10.2in iPad 8 comes with several improvements. First off, it is the first iPad with Apple’s Neural Engine. If you’re not sure what that means, it’s essentially Apple’s AI and machine learning software that allows its devices to operate more energy-efficiently, while improving speech recognition and image processing. This translates to faster performance, better AR (augmented reality) experiences, and of course a more natural interaction with Siri.
The A12 Bionic chip also means CPU performance ramps up by 40% compared to the 7th gen iPad, which is still available to buy, but more expensive. Apple claims the A12 chip upgrade should make the iPad 2020 “up to three times faster than the top-selling Android tablet”. It’s not difficult to imagine Apple alludes to Samsung’s offerings, which released the Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus tablets on 21 August.
Of course, Samsung’s wares sit in an ultra-premium tier, starting at £619/US$649 for the Tab S7, and £799/US$849 for the S7+. Those prices are closer to the upcoming iPad Air which starts at 579/$599, which isn’t surprising as both the Air 2020 and Galaxy Tab S7 feature stronger processors (you get a high-end Snapdragon 865+ on the Tab S7 range and the A14 Bionic on the Air 2020).
The Tab S7 screens are larger, however, with a 12.4in display on the S7+ and an 11in display on the S7.
If a smaller 10.2in screen isn’t an issue, the iPad 2020 is a no brainer – especially if you were already considering buying the 7th generation (which you definitely should not buy new, now that the 8th gen is out). The 8th gen iPad marries performance with a palatable price, and trade-in deals make the device even more attractive.
See our round-up of the best tablet deals of the month, along with the best Galaxy Tab S7 range deals. For more Apple iPad deals .
