Many people struggle with knowing what criteria to use when choosing a used iPad.

"I want to buy a used iPad cheaply, but I'm worried if it's reliable."

"I don't know how to choose a reliable used iPad."

This article will introduce "key points for choosing a used iPad" for those with such concerns.

 

[Conclusion]

When purchasing a used iPad, we recommend clearly defining your purpose and budget, and buying from a reputable seller.

This article will detail the key points for choosing a used iPad and recommended places to buy one. Reading this article will help you understand how to choose a used iPad that suits your needs and where to buy it.

 

 

Checkpoints for Choosing a Reliable Used iPad

To choose a reliable used iPad, check the following five items:

• Year of manufacture

• OS support period

• Battery condition

• Appearance

• Functionality

Checking these points increases your chances of finding a good quality used iPad.

 

Year of Manufacture and OS Support Period

The OS support period typically lasts 5-6 years from release.

After support ends, you won't receive the latest security updates, so choose a model that is still within its support period if possible.

You can check the iPad's year and model by going to "Settings" → "General" → "About".

You can also use the model number to find more details on Apple's support page.

Steps to Check Battery Condition

When purchasing a used iPad, check the battery condition.

The closer the maximum capacity is to 100%, the better; if it falls below 80%, consider replacing it.

You can check the battery condition in the Settings app by going to "Battery" → "Battery Health & Charging".

It's also important to check the battery life.

Rapid battery drain or unstable charging are signs of battery degradation. Check the battery condition.

Detailed Checklist for Appearance and Functionality

For external inspection, focus on screen scratches, dents on the back, and button wear.

Minor scuffs are acceptable, but avoid deep scratches or dents.

Damage to the connector port can affect charging and connectivity, so pay particular attention to it.

For functionality, test the touchscreen response, Wi-Fi connectivity, camera, and speaker operation.

Also, check app launch speed and smoothness of operation; avoid models with extreme slowness or frequent freezing.

Carefully checking these items will help you choose a reliable used iPad.

 

Choosing a Reliable Used iPad Model by Usage

When choosing a used iPad, it is important to select the appropriate model based on your intended use.

The necessary performance and features vary depending on three main uses: general use, business, and creative work.

For Daily Use: Models Suitable for Everyday Use

For daily use, choose a used iPad model suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, video viewing, social media, and light gaming.

The iPad or iPad mini are recommended.

The iPad and iPad mini are equipped with an A12 Bionic chip or newer, allowing for comfortable daily use.

The screen size of the iPad (10th generation) is 10.9 inches and the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is 8.3 inches, offering a good balance between portability and visibility.

For general use, 64GB or more storage should be sufficient.

 

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For Business: High-Performance Models to Boost Work Efficiency

For business-oriented used iPads, which require using many apps simultaneously and processing large amounts of data, the iPad Air or iPad Pro are suitable.

The latest iPad Air and iPad Pro are equipped with high-performance M2 or higher processors, ensuring smooth operation even when using multiple applications simultaneously.

128GB or more of storage should be sufficient to save business documents and materials.

Additionally, choosing a model compatible with a Smart Keyboard allows for keyboard input.

 

▼Search for used iPad Air

 

For Creative Work: Models Optimized for Drawing and Editing

For a used iPad for creative work, a high-performance processor, large screen, and Apple Pencil compatibility are crucial.

The iPad Pro is ideal, with models supporting the second-generation Apple Pencil being particularly recommended.

If the iPad Pro is equipped with an M1 chip, high-level image and video editing software runs smoothly.

The large 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen allows for detailed work, and the magnetic attachment and charging of the second-generation Apple Pencil enable smooth drawing.

256GB or more of storage would be sufficient to save large production data.

 

▼Search for used iPad Pro

 

 

【Latest 2025】Recommended Used iPad Models by Reliability

As of 2025, there are many reliable used iPad options available.

Here's a table summarizing the recommended models:

Best Buy Models Focusing on Cost Performance

Used iPad models with excellent cost performance are the iPad (8th generation) and iPad (9th generation).

These models can be purchased at about 60-70% of the new price and offer sufficient performance for everyday use.

The iPad (8th generation) is equipped with an A12 Bionic chip, allowing for smooth web browsing, video viewing, and light gaming. A 64GB model can be obtained for approximately ¥30,000 to ¥50,000, offering excellent cost performance.

The iPad (9th generation) features an A13 Bionic chip, enabling faster processing.

A 64GB model can be purchased for approximately ¥40,000 to ¥60,000.

Mid-Range Models Focused on Balance

For used iPad models that strike a balance between performance and price, the iPad Air (4th generation) and iPad Air (5th generation) are recommended.

These models offer performance capable of handling a wide range of uses, from general to business applications.

The iPad Air (4th generation) features an A14 Bionic chip, ensuring smooth operation even when using many apps simultaneously. A 64GB model can be obtained for approximately ¥50,000 to ¥70,000, offering a good balance of performance and price.

The iPad Air (5th generation) is equipped with an M1 chip, enabling faster processing.

A 64GB model can be purchased for approximately ¥60,000 to ¥110,000.

High-End Models Focused on Performance

For high-performance used iPad models, the iPad Pro (2021 model) and iPad Pro (2022 model) are recommended.

These models are equipped with M1 or M2 chips, offering processing power comparable to desktop computers.

The iPad Pro (2021 model) can smoothly handle demanding tasks such as 4K video editing and 3D modeling. A 256GB model can be obtained for approximately ¥90,000 to ¥120,000, making it suitable for creative work and advanced professional use.

The iPad Pro (2022 model) features an even faster M2 chip and supports the latest AR/VR applications.

A 256GB model can be purchased for approximately ¥100,000 to ¥150,000, and it also supports the latest OS.

Additionally, it supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), making it suitable for note-taking and simple illustration.

 

Comparison of Reliable Used iPad Purchase Locations

Reliable used iPad purchase locations can be broadly categorized into the following three types:

• Specialized reuse shops

• Major electronics retailers

• Online marketplaces

Choose a purchase location based on your budget and desired level of assurance.

 

Specialized Reuse Shops

Specialized reuse shops are characterized by their expertise in used iPads and extensive inventory.

Specialty stores like PRODIG and Iosys offer a wide selection of years and models.

Below is a summary of the warranty details and periods for reuse shops.

・PRODIG

　Adopts its own quality standards, allowing for a detailed understanding of product condition.

With a long warranty period of 180 days, you can use it with peace of mind after purchase.

Prices tend to be 5-10% lower than major electronics retailers, offering high cost performance.

 

▼Click here for PRODIG's SALE items

 

・Iosys

　The warranty period varies depending on the product condition.

New items = manufacturer's warranty

Unused items = 6-month warranty (manufacturer repair not available)

Used items = 3-month warranty

There is also a paid service to extend the warranty period to more than one year.

・GEO

　Generally, warranties other than initial defects are paid.

By joining, you get a 1-year "GEO Used Mobile Warranty" that covers damage, water damage, and natural failures.

 

Major Electronics Retailers

Major electronics retailers are a trustworthy and secure place to buy used iPads.

At large stores like Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera, strict operational checks are performed by specialized staff, and a 3-month warranty is included.

Below is a summary of the warranty details and periods for major electronics retailers.

・Yodobashi Camera

　Offers a 1-year long-term warranty, providing high peace of mind.

However, prices tend to be 10-20% higher than other sellers, so consider your budget.

・Bic Camera

　Two types of warranties are available: a 1-year long-term warranty and a monthly warranty.

However, the subscription fee ranges from ¥550 to ¥1,100 depending on the purchased product, so consider joining based on your usage.

・Yamada Denki

　Yamada Denki offers two types of warranties: 3-year and 5-year.

The warranty period depends on the product price, so check the price if you want a longer warranty.

 

Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces are characterized by a wide range of choices and competitive prices.

Platforms like Mercari and Yahoo Auctions allow for transactions between individuals, and you can sometimes find used iPads at 40-60% of the new price.

On Mercari, choosing a seller with a rating of 4.5 or higher and over 50 transactions can increase reliability.

However, because it's a transaction between individuals, there are risks associated with product condition and operational guarantees.

 

Warranty Details and Purchase Checklist for Each Store

Warranty terms vary significantly depending on the point of purchase.

Major electronics retailers typically offer a 6-month to 1-year warranty, while specialized reuse shops generally provide a 3-month to 6-month warranty.

On the other hand, person-to-person transactions on online marketplaces usually do not include a warranty.

Key points to check when purchasing include battery condition, external scratches, and the presence of accessories.

Confirm that the battery capacity is 80% or more, there are no noticeable scratches on the screen, and a genuine charger is included.

Additionally, checking the handling of initial defects, return policy, and availability of repair support beforehand can help avoid post-purchase issues.

 

Reliable Used iPad Aftercare and Tips for Long-Term Use

Proper aftercare is essential for the long-term use of a used iPad.

By continuing the following care, a used iPad can be comfortably used for over 5 years.

 

Battery Replacement and Repair Options

The battery of a used iPad has been in use for 2 to 3 years, and the maximum capacity at full charge has decreased, so consider replacing it if it falls below 75%.

Apple's official battery replacement service costs approximately ¥12,800 for an iPad mini and ¥12,800 to ¥19,800 for an iPad Pro.

While official repairs offer genuine parts and high technical reliability, the cost can be high.

On the other hand, unofficial repair shops can reduce costs by 30-50%, but quality can vary.

Using a repair service at a major electronics retailer can be ¥2,000-¥3,000 cheaper than official services, while still providing reliable repairs.

 

 

Maintenance Methods to Maintain Performance

For maintaining the performance of a used iPad, optimizing storage is crucial.

By deleting unused apps and moving photos/videos to cloud storage, aim to always keep 10-20% of free space.

This can improve iPad operating speed by 20-30%.

In terms of software, set background app updates to the absolute minimum necessary, and disable location services for apps that don't need them.

These settings can reduce battery consumption by 15-20% and prevent overall performance degradation.

Additionally, restarting the iPad about once every three months can free up memory and optimize the system.

 

Upgrade Techniques for Long-Term Used iPad Use

Upgrading the performance of a used iPad can primarily be achieved through the utilization of software and accessories.

With iPadOS 15 and later, multitasking operations have been significantly improved.

Therefore, the method for splitting the screen has changed, making multitasking easier to use.

Utilizing a keyboard case is also effective.

By using the Logicool Combo Touch, even those who usually type on a computer keyboard can use it comfortably.

Also, if you are currently using one, it would be good to choose a model that can be used even after replacement.

By combining these accessories, the functionality of a used iPad can be elevated to a level comparable to new models.

 

Summary: Steps to Safely Purchase a Reliable Used iPad

Follow these four steps to purchase a reliable used iPad with confidence.

• Preparation: Clearly define your intended use and budget.

• Selection: Choose a reliable retailer.

• Confirmation: Before purchasing, check the device's battery and for any external damage.

• Aftercare: Regular maintenance.

 

By following these steps, you can safely use a cost-effective pre-owned iPad for a long time.

PRODIG, the official online store for pre-owned smartphones and tablets, offers a wide variety of pre-owned devices, from iPhones to iPads and Androids.

We implement strict quality control, so if you are considering purchasing a safe and secure pre-owned iPad, please check the details on our official website.

Click here for a list of pre-owned iPad products offered by PRODIG