The iPad 6th and 7th generation are the forgotten middle children of Apple's iPad lineup. Old enough to be replaced — new enough to still work extremely well. In 2026, they're regularly listed on eBay for £55–85, and at that price they're arguably the smartest iPad purchase most people can make for a child, a second device, or a dedicated media player.
Both models run the A10 Fusion chip — the same processor that Apple put in the iPhone 7 — and while that's now a decade-old silicon, it's surprisingly capable for everyday use. The 6th gen maxes out at iOS 17, the 7th gen at iOS 18. Neither can run iOS 26, but that's a smaller problem than it sounds.
The Key Difference Between the Two Models
| Model | Year | Screen | Max iOS | eBay price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 6th gen | 2018 | 9.7" | iOS 17 | £50–70 |
| iPad 7th gen | 2019 | 10.2" | iOS 18 | £65–85 |
The 7th gen has a marginally larger screen (10.2" vs 9.7") and one extra year of iOS support, which currently means it supports iOS 18 where the 6th gen tops out at 17. In practice, the app availability difference is minor — most apps that dropped iOS 17 support haven't done so yet in mid-2026. The 7th gen is worth the extra £15 if you're buying today, but the 6th gen is equally capable for a year or two more.
Both have a headphone jack, Touch ID (home button), Lightning connector, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. The 7th gen supports the Smart Keyboard. Neither has Face ID.
Why These Make Such Good Kids' iPads
The case for a £70 iPad 6th or 7th gen as a children's device is simple: it runs everything children actually use, and it costs so little that a cracked screen or a drop in the toilet isn't a disaster.
Apps that absolutely run on iOS 17:
- YouTube Kids — iOS 16+. The primary app for most households with children.
- Netflix — iOS 16+. Full streaming support.
- Disney+ — iOS 16+. Works fine.
- Duolingo — iOS 16+. Language learning.
- Khan Academy Kids — iOS 15+. Excellent educational content, free.
- Minecraft — iOS 16+. The undefeated children's game.
- Roblox — iOS 16+. Still the dominant kids' gaming platform.
- LEGO apps — Most support iOS 16+. LEGO Life, LEGO Building Instructions, various game tie-ins.
- Books / iBooks — Built-in, works perfectly.
- FaceTime — Built-in, iOS 17 fully supported for family video calls.
💡 Screen Time: iOS 17 has a fully functional Screen Time with app limits, downtime scheduling, and content restrictions. Everything a parent needs to manage a child's device is built in — no third-party app required.
Second iPad / Spare Device Use Cases
For adults, the 6th and 7th gen work well as dedicated single-purpose devices. The most common scenarios:
- Kitchen display — Recipes, YouTube while cooking, music. An iOS 17 iPad does this perfectly and you won't mind if it gets splattered.
- Travel device — Downloaded Netflix and Spotify, games for the flight. Leave your main iPad at home.
- Reading tablet — iBooks, Kindle, Instapaper. A 10.2" screen is a comfortable reading size and the battery easily lasts a long-haul flight.
- Gym / fitness — Apple Fitness+ (iOS 16+), YouTube workout videos, Apple Health. All work on iOS 17.
- Bedside display — Alarm, night mode, audiobooks, podcasts. A £65 iPad dedicated to the bedside table is a legitimate lifestyle upgrade.
What Doesn't Work Well
Be honest with yourself before buying. The A10 Fusion is a decade-old chip and 3GB of RAM (on the 6th and 7th gen) means serious multitasking is limited. Specific pain points:
- Heavy games — Call of Duty Mobile, Fortnite, and similar titles technically have iOS 16+ requirements but run poorly on A10 Fusion. Older catalogue games are fine. New releases are not.
- Video editing — LumaFusion, DaVinci Resolve, and CapCut all push the A10 Fusion hard. Basic clips are doable; anything complex is frustrating.
- Social media with Reels/Shorts — Instagram and TikTok are increasingly taxing. Both apps run, but performance degrades with heavy scrolling.
- iOS 26 apps — Any app that targets iOS 26 features specifically won't work. These are still a small minority in 2026, but the list will grow.
Where to Buy
The best prices for these models are on eBay (search "iPad 6th generation" or "iPad A1893") and Amazon Renewed. Back Market also lists them. Look for:
- At least 32GB storage for a child's device (64GB preferred)
- "Good" condition or above — avoid "Fair" for a kids' device that will be handled roughly
- Wi-Fi only unless you specifically need cellular
- Battery health above 80% if listed (sellers don't always state this)
Prices in July 2026: iPad 6th gen 32GB around £55–70; 7th gen 32GB around £65–85. WiFi models only — cellular adds £20–30 with no benefit for a home/family device.
The Verdict
Our take
The iPad 6th and 7th gen are the best-value iPad purchase in 2026 for a specific use case: children's devices, second/spare tablets, and single-purpose displays. They run iOS 17 and 18, support essentially all apps a family needs, and cost less than a dinner out. The 7th gen is marginally preferred for its slightly larger screen and one extra iOS version. Neither is a recommendation for a primary adult device in 2026 — but as a durable, affordable, purpose-built family tablet, there's nothing better at the price.
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iPad 7th gen apps →Also see: Best cheap refurbished iPads in 2026 — full buyer's guide