iPad 6th Generation (2018): Release Date, iOS, Size and Pencil

Apple announced the iPad 6th generation on 27 March 2018, and UK orders opened the same day. It is the 9.7-inch iPad with model number A1893 (Wi-Fi) or A1954 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), an A10 Fusion chip and support for Apple Pencil (1st generation). Its latest iOS is iPadOS 17: the newest release is iPadOS 17.7.11 from 11 May 2026, and it can't install iPadOS 18 or later.

That makes it a capable iPad for reading, video, schoolwork and handwritten notes, with one clear limit: some current apps already need a newer iPadOS. This page answers the identity and spec questions first, then covers what a refurbished one costs at The Tech Gadgets, from £74.00 for 32GB Wi-Fi in Very Good grade (checked 5 October 2026).

Quick decision for iPad 6th gen buyers and owners

Best for:

• Note-taking and sketching with Apple Pencil (1st generation) on the smallest budget.
• A child's or family iPad for YouTube, BBC iPlayer, reading and simple games.
• Anyone who wants a light 9.7-inch iPad with Touch ID and a headphone jack.

Choose something else when:

• You need Netflix, Microsoft Word, Excel or Copilot. As of 5 October 2026 their current UK App Store versions need iPadOS 18.
• You want a clip-on keyboard case. There's no Smart Connector.
• You want Apple Intelligence or the longest software support.

Check before buying:

• The model number: A1893 or A1954 confirms a 6th generation.
• The minimum iPadOS version of every app you rely on.
• Which Apple Pencil you own, because only the 1st generation works.

iPad 6th generation specs at a glance

This table lists Apple's published specifications for the iPad 6th generation, plus the software position on 5 October 2026.

When was the iPad 6th generation released?

The iPad 6th generation release date is 27 March 2018. Apple announced it that day at an education event in Chicago, and it was available to order in the UK immediately, with deliveries and Apple Store stock following later that week. Apple's UK starting prices were £319 for 32GB Wi-Fi and £449 for 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular.

The headline change was Apple Pencil support. Apple's press release pitched the new 9.7-inch iPad at students and creative users, with Apple Pencil sold separately for £89 at the time. It replaced the 5th generation from 2017 and was itself followed by the 10.2-inch 7th generation, which Apple announced on 10 September 2019. In short, the 6th generation iPad release date is March 2018, and it was Apple's only standard iPad that year.

What year is the iPad 6th generation?

The iPad 6th generation is a 2018 iPad. Apple's model identification page lists it as “Year: 2018”, which is why sellers often call it the iPad 2018 or the 9.7-inch iPad (2018). It sits between the iPad 5th generation from 2017 and the iPad 7th generation from 2019, and Apple sold it in Silver, Space Grey and Gold.

How do you know if your iPad is a 6th generation?

Check the model number. On the iPad 6th generation it is printed on the back cover: A1893 for the Wi-Fi model and A1954 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. You can also open Settings, tap General, then About, and tap the part number next to Model Number to reveal the A-number. Apple's identification page matches each number to a model.

Looks alone aren't reliable. The 6th generation has a 9.7-inch screen, a Home button with Touch ID, a Lightning port and a headphone jack, but so does the 5th generation. Apple even lists identical outside dimensions and weights for the two. The 5th generation uses model numbers A1822 and A1823, which our guide to iPad 5th generation model numbers and release date covers. Apple's Identify your iPad model page lists every A-number if yours doesn't match either.

A1893 or A1954: what's the difference?

Both are the iPad 6th generation. A1893 is the Wi-Fi model, which connects to the internet only over Wi-Fi. A1954 is the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, which adds a nano-SIM tray on the right-hand side for 4G mobile data, plus Assisted GPS. The screen, chip, cameras and storage options are the same, and the cellular model is 9 g heavier.

If you're buying, the refurbished iPad 6th generation Wi-Fi (A1893) suits home use, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular model (A1954) suits travel and in-car navigation.

What is the latest iOS for the iPad 6th gen?

The latest iOS for the iPad 6th generation is iPadOS 17, and that is its last major version. The newest release Apple lists for it is iPadOS 17.7.11, published on 11 May 2026 as a security update. It gets security fixes only, not new features, and Apple doesn't publish an end date for those fixes.

The iPad launched on iOS 11 in 2018 and has since moved up to iPadOS 17. Apple's iPadOS 18 compatibility list starts at the iPad 7th generation, so the 6th generation stopped there. You can see every fix Apple has shipped for it on Apple's security releases list, which names the iPad 6th generation against each iPadOS 17 update.

To check your iPad 6th gen iOS version, open Settings, then General, then About, and read the iPadOS version. To install the latest release, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Apple Intelligence isn't available on this iPad, because Apple's requirements list only M-series iPads and the iPad mini (A17 Pro).

Can the iPad 6th generation update to iPadOS 18 or iPadOS 26?

No. Apple's iPadOS 18 list starts at the iPad 7th generation, iPadOS 26 starts at the iPad 8th generation, and iPadOS 27, released on 14 September 2026, starts at the iPad 9th generation. The iPad 6th generation stays on iPadOS 17. If you need a newer iPadOS, you need a newer iPad, not a software setting.

Which apps still work on the iPad 6th gen's iOS?

As of 5 October 2026, per the UK App Store, the current versions of YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Spotify, WhatsApp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Roblox and Minecraft install on iPadOS 17. So do the Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds, NatWest and Starling banking apps. Netflix, Microsoft Word, Excel and Copilot now need iPadOS 18, so they won't install.

Monzo's App Store listing shows iPhone only. App developers raise their minimum versions over time, so treat this as a snapshot and check the minimum iPadOS version on the App Store page of any app you depend on.

What size is the iPad 6th generation?

The iPad 6th generation has a 9.7-inch screen, measured diagonally. Apple lists the body at 240 mm tall, 169.5 mm wide and 7.5 mm thick. The Wi-Fi model weighs 469 g and the Wi-Fi + Cellular model weighs 478 g. It came in one size only; the 32GB and 128GB versions share the same body.

The iPad 6th gen sizes are easiest to judge against the models either side. This table uses Apple's figures for the Wi-Fi versions.

The 7th and 8th generation are 10.6 mm taller and 4.6 mm wider, so a case made for a 10.2-inch iPad won't fit a 6th generation. For cases and screen protectors, buy one that names the iPad 6th generation or the A1893 and A1954 model numbers. Our page on the iPad 7th generation screen size and specs covers the larger body in detail.

iPad 6th gen specs: chip, RAM, cameras and battery

The A10 Fusion chip handles browsing, streaming, video calls, schoolwork and Apple Pencil note-taking. It is the same chip Apple used in the 7th generation, so the 7th generation's gains are its larger screen and Smart Connector rather than speed. The 8th generation moved to the A12 Bionic.

The 9.7-inch Retina screen is sharp at 264 pixels per inch, but it isn't laminated and has no True Tone, so its colour doesn't adapt to room lighting. Storage is 32GB or 128GB with no memory card slot. The 8MP rear camera records 1080p video, including slo-mo at 240 frames per second, and the 1.2MP front camera handles FaceTime at 720p. Apple rated the 32.4 Wh battery at up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi, video or music when new, and up to 9 hours browsing on mobile data.

How much RAM does the iPad 6th gen have?

Apple doesn't publish RAM figures for this iPad, so you won't find it in the official specifications. 9to5Mac's iPad RAM list puts the iPad 6th generation at 2GB, and the 7th and 8th generation at 3GB. Treat those as third-party figures. In practice the iPadOS 17 ceiling limits what you can run more than memory does.

Which Apple Pencil works with the iPad 6th generation?

Only Apple Pencil (1st generation). Apple's compatibility page lists the iPad 6th generation under the 1st generation pencil and not under Apple Pencil (2nd generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil Pro. It was the first standard iPad to support Apple Pencil. To pair it, remove the pencil's cap and plug it into the iPad's Lightning port.

The same Lightning connection charges the pencil. If you're buying a used pencil to go with a refurbished iPad, the 1st generation is the one with a removable cap over a Lightning connector. The 5th generation iPad doesn't support any Apple Pencil, which is the main practical difference between the two 9.7-inch models.

Does the iPad 6th generation support a keyboard?

Yes, but only over Bluetooth. Apple's specifications for the iPad 6th generation don't list a Smart Connector, so Apple's Smart Keyboard and other keyboard cases that attach through that connector won't work. Any Bluetooth keyboard that supports iPad will pair over its Bluetooth 4.2. The Smart Connector arrived on the iPad 7th generation in 2019.

Should you buy an iPad 6th generation in 2026?

Buy one if you want the cheapest iPad that works with Apple Pencil and your apps still support iPadOS 17. A refurbished iPad 6th generation costs from £74.00 for 32GB Wi-Fi in Very Good grade at The Tech Gadgets. If you need Netflix, Word or Excel, or the longest support, the 8th generation from £99.00 is £25.00 more (£99.00 − £74.00).

This table shows the cheapest price for each iPad 6th generation option on The Tech Gadgets' listings, checked on 5 October 2026.

Moving from 32GB to 128GB on the Wi-Fi model costs £25.00 in Very Good grade (£99.00 − £74.00). Adding mobile data costs £25.00 at 32GB (£99.00 − £74.00). Every variant is over £50, so standard delivery is free.

The comparison that matters most is with the newer models. The iPad 8th generation (2020) listing starts at £99.00 for 32GB Wi-Fi in Very Good grade, with the A12 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch screen, a Smart Connector and iPadOS 26. The 7th generation starts at £104.00, which is £5.00 more than the 8th (£104.00 − £99.00) for an older chip, so it rarely makes sense. If you want iPadOS 27, the 9th generation starts at £164.00 for 64GB. For grade-by-grade maths and the Wi-Fi versus Cellular decision, read our refurbished iPad 6th generation buying guide.

• Choose the iPad 6th generation when your budget is under £99.00, you want Apple Pencil, and your apps run on iPadOS 17.
• Choose the 8th generation instead when you need apps that require iPadOS 18, a keyboard case or a bigger screen.
• Choose a 10th generation or newer when you want Apple Pencil (USB-C) support; our refurbished iPad 10th generation guide covers it.

Buying refurbished: condition, battery and checks

The iPads on sale are refurbished UK stock, graded Like New, Excellent or Very Good. The listing describes the grades this way: Like New shows little or no sign of use, Excellent may have light marks, and Very Good may have visible marks that don't affect use. The grade is cosmetic only. Each iPad is checked, cleaned, reset and tested by The Tech Gadgets, and it isn't an Apple Certified Refurbished product.

The listings state at least 85% battery health at dispatch on every grade. The iPad 6th generation has no battery-health readout in Settings, so ask the team for the reading from the pre-dispatch diagnostic check if you want the figure, or use a Mac app such as coconutBattery. In the box you get the iPad and a charging cable, with no power adapter.

You get a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery, covering faults that develop in normal use (not accidental or liquid damage). The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions, but the Consumer Rights Act 30-day right to reject still applies. Change-of-mind returns are accepted within 30 days if unused and complete (you pay return postage), plus your 14-day right to cancel. See the warranty and returns details for the full wording.

Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester, and standard delivery takes 1–3 working days. The delivery and dispatch times page covers Special Delivery (next working day, £9.99) and weekend cut-offs.

When your iPad arrives, check these:

1. The model number in Settings, General, About reads A1893 or A1954.
2. The iPad opens at the Hello screen and you can sign in with your own Apple Account. A Locked to Owner screen means you should contact the team straight away.
3. Software Update offers the latest iPadOS 17 release, and it installs.
4. Touch ID, both cameras, the speakers, the headphone jack and Lightning charging all work.
5. An Apple Pencil (1st generation), if you have one, pairs and writes across the whole screen.

iPad 6th generation FAQs

Is the iPad 6th generation the same as the iPad 2018?

Yes. The iPad 6th generation is Apple's standard 9.7-inch iPad from 2018, so sellers often list it as the iPad 2018 or the iPad 9.7-inch (2018). Apple's own name is iPad (6th generation). If a listing is vague, the model number settles it: A1893 or A1954 means a 6th generation, whatever the title says.

Is the iPad 6th generation still supported by Apple?

Partly. It no longer gets new iPadOS versions, because iPadOS 17 is its last major release. Apple has kept shipping security fixes for iPadOS 17, most recently iPadOS 17.7.11 on 11 May 2026. Apple doesn't say how long that will continue, so judge the iPad on what it does today rather than on future updates.

Does the iPad 6th generation have USB-C?

No. The iPad 6th generation charges and connects through a Lightning port, and it also has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. None of the standard iPads from the 5th to the 9th generation has USB-C. A Lightning cable is all you need for charging and for pairing an Apple Pencil (1st generation), which plugs straight into the same port.

Can the iPad 6th generation use 5G?

No. Only the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, A1954, has mobile data, and it uses 4G LTE with a nano-SIM. It has no 5G and no eSIM. Apple lists the cellular connection as data only, so you can't make ordinary phone calls over the mobile network, although FaceTime audio and video work over mobile data.

Does the iPad 6th generation support Apple Intelligence?

No. Apple Intelligence needs an iPad with an M-series chip or the iPad mini (A17 Pro), and the iPad 6th generation can't run iPadOS 18 or later in any case. None of the budget iPads from the 5th to the 9th generation support it, and nor do the 10th generation or iPad (A16).

How long does the iPad 6th generation battery last?

Apple rated it at up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music when new, and up to 9 hours browsing on mobile data. A used battery will give less. Refurbished units from The Tech Gadgets have at least 85% battery health at dispatch, according to the listing, and you can ask the team for the reading.

Verdict: the iPad 6th generation in 2026

The iPad 6th generation is a 2018, 9.7-inch iPad (A1893 or A1954) that tops out at iPadOS 17 and works with Apple Pencil (1st generation). It is still a sound buy at £74.00 for reading, video, homework and handwritten notes, as long as your apps install on iPadOS 17. It is the wrong buy if you need Netflix, Microsoft Office apps or a keyboard case.

Who should buy something else? Anyone who wants the longest software support, Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Intelligence. Browse the full range of tablets in stock to compare newer refurbished iPads.