Introduction — Is iPad 6th Gen (2018) Still Worth Buying in 2026?
The iPad 6th Gen (2018) is one of the most affordable Apple tablets you can find today, especially in the Certified Used / Refurbished market. According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, prices have dropped to around $100+, making it very tempting for budget-conscious buyers in 2026.
At first glance, that sounds like a great deal. After all, it’s an iPad with Apple Pencil support, a familiar design, and access to many popular apps. However, when evaluating older devices, software support matters far more than price alone.
Quick Verdict — Should You Buy the iPad 6th Gen in 2026?
No — the iPad 6th Gen (2018) is not worth buying in 2026.
Why buyers are tempted:
- Very low price at $100+ Certified Used / Refurbished
- Can still handle basic tasks
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) support
Why we don’t recommend it:
- Does not support iPadOS 18 or iPadOS 26
- Capped at iPadOS 17
- Limited future app compatibility
- Short remaining usable lifespan
UpTrade recommendation:
If you can increase your budget by just $30, the Certified Used / Refurbished iPad 8th Gen (2020) — starting around $130+ — is a much smarter buy. It supports the latest iPadOS 26, delivers better performance, and will remain usable for years longer.
iPad 6th Gen (2018) — What It Still Does Well
To be fair, the iPad 6th Gen isn’t completely unusable in 2026. For a device that’s now eight years old, it can still handle some very basic tasks reasonably well.
The iPad 6th Gen works fine for:
- Web browsing
- Watching YouTube or Netflix
- Light app usage
- Simple note-taking
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) input for basic sketches or handwriting
Apple’s build quality also means the hardware itself often holds up better than similarly aged Android tablets. If you already own an iPad 6th Gen, it can still function as a secondary or backup device for light use.
However, these positives don’t change the bigger picture. In 2026, buying a tablet isn’t just about what it can do today — it’s about how well it will continue to work over the next few years.
Software Support Status — The Real Deal Breaker in 2026
The biggest problem with the iPad 6th Gen is software support.
Apple officially dropped the iPad 6th Gen with iPadOS 18 in 2024, leaving it permanently capped at iPadOS 17. As of the release of this blog, the most recent security update (iPadOS 17.7.10) was released in Aug 2025. While Apple still provides security patches for iPadOS 17, this is considered security-only support, not full platform support.
In practical terms, this means:
- No new iPadOS features
- Increasing app compatibility issues over time
- Faster depreciation and poor resale value
- A shrinking usable lifespan compared to supported models
In 2026, most new apps and updates are designed with newer iPadOS versions in mind. Even if the iPad 6th Gen technically still works today, it’s already on the wrong side of Apple’s support timeline.
This is why the low $100+ Certified Used / Refurbished price is misleading. You may save money upfront, but you’re buying into a device that’s already nearing the end of its practical life.
Better Alternative — iPad 8th Gen (2020)
If you’re considering the iPad 6th Gen mainly because of its low $100+ price, there’s a much better option that costs only slightly more but delivers years of additional usability.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished iPad 8th Gen (2020) models start at around $130+. That extra ~$30 makes a massive difference in software support, performance, and long-term value.
Most importantly, the iPad 8th Gen supports the latest iPadOS 26, while the iPad 6th Gen is capped at iPadOS 17. This alone makes the iPad 8th Gen the clear choice for buyers in 2026.
iPad 6th Gen (2018) vs iPad 8th Gen (2020) — Specs Comparison
| Feature |
iPad 6th Gen (2018) |
iPad 8th Gen (2020) |
| Release Year |
2018 |
2020 |
| Current Price (Certified Used / Refurbished) |
~$100+ |
~$130+ |
| Chipset |
A10 Fusion |
A12 Bionic |
| Performance (2026) |
Basic |
Noticeably faster & smoother |
| Display |
9.7" Retina |
10.2" Retina |
| Apple Pencil Support |
Apple Pencil (1st Gen) |
Apple Pencil (1st Gen) |
| Smart Keyboard Support |
Yes |
Yes |
| Front Camera |
1.2MP |
1.2MP |
| Rear Camera |
8MP |
8MP |
| Touch ID |
Home button |
Home button |
| Latest iPadOS Supported |
iPadOS 17 (capped) |
iPadOS 26 |
| Security Updates |
Yes (limited) |
Yes |
| Expected Longevity |
Very limited |
Several more years |
Key Differences That Matter in 2026
Software Support (Biggest Difference)
- iPad 6th Gen: Stuck on iPadOS 17
- iPad 8th Gen: Fully supports iPadOS 26
This affects app compatibility, security updates, features, and resale value. In 2026, this is the single most important factor.
Display / Screen Size
- iPad 6th Gen: 9.7-inch Retina display
- iPad 8th Gen: 10.2-inch Retina display
While both use Retina panels, the larger screen on the iPad 8th Gen makes a noticeable difference for reading, note-taking, split-screen multitasking, and watching videos — especially for students and everyday productivity.
Performance
The A12 Bionic in the iPad 8th Gen is significantly more powerful than the A10 Fusion in the iPad 6th Gen. Apps load faster, multitasking feels smoother, and the device ages far more gracefully.
Longevity & Value
Spending ~$30 more doesn’t just buy a newer iPad — it buys multiple additional years of usability. Over time, the iPad 8th Gen ends up being cheaper to own because you won’t need to replace it as quickly.
Final Verdict — Is the iPad 6th Gen (2018) Still Worth Buying in 2026?
No — the iPad 6th Gen (2018) is not worth buying in 2026, even at $100+ Certified Used / Refurbished pricing.
While the low price is tempting, the device’s software support cutoff is the deal breaker. Apple stopped supporting the iPad 6th Gen with iPadOS 18 back in 2024, leaving it permanently capped at iPadOS 17. Although security patches are still available, the lack of full iPadOS support means declining app compatibility, fewer features, and a very limited remaining lifespan.
In contrast, spending just $30 more gets you the Certified Used / Refurbished iPad 8th Gen (2020) starting at $130+, which supports the latest iPadOS 26, offers noticeably better performance, a larger display, and several more years of usability.
UpTrade’s recommendation is clear:
Skip the iPad 6th Gen in 2026. The iPad 8th Gen is the far better value and the smarter long-term purchase for budget-conscious buyers.
FAQs — iPad 6th Gen (2018) in 2026
1. Is the iPad 6th Gen outdated?
Yes. In 2026, the iPad 6th Gen is considered outdated because it no longer supports the latest iPadOS versions. Apple excluded this model starting with iPadOS 18 in 2024, leaving it capped at iPadOS 17.
2. How old is the iPad 6th Gen?
The iPad 6th Gen was released in 2018, which makes it about eight years old in 2026.
3. Is the iPad 6th Gen still supported in 2026?
Only partially. The iPad 6th Gen still receives security patches for iPadOS 17, but it does not receive full iPadOS feature updates.
4. How long will the 6th generation iPad be supported?
Apple has not announced an official end date for security updates, but the iPad 6th Gen is already in security-only support mode. This means its remaining usable lifespan is limited compared to newer models. Based on experience, our team estimates that there may be another 1–2 years of security updates, potentially until 2027 or 2028, but there is no guarantee.
5. Can an iPad 6th generation be updated to iOS 17?
For clarification, iPad has transitioned from iOS to iPadOS. The iPad 6th Gen can run iPadOS 17, which is the final major version it supports. It cannot be updated to iPadOS 18 or the latest iPadOS 26.
6. What iPadOS does the iPad 6th Gen run?
The highest supported version is iPadOS 17. Newer iPadOS 18 and iPadOS 26 releases are not available for this model.
7. Is the iPad 6th generation still good in 2026?
In 2026, it can still handle very basic tasks like streaming and web browsing, but it has limited software support from Apple. We do not recommend buying it in 2026. A better option would be a Certified Used / Refurbished iPad 7th Gen or iPad 8th Gen.
8. Is the iPad 6th Gen still good for basic use in 2026?
It can handle basic tasks, but the lack of modern iPadOS support makes it a poor long-term purchase for new buyers.
9. Is it safe to buy a refurbished iPad 6th Gen?
From a hardware standpoint, Certified Used or Refurbished units are generally safe. However, the issue with the iPad 6th Gen is software longevity, which is why it’s not recommended despite the low price.
10. Should I buy the iPad 6th Gen or iPad 8th Gen in 2026?
You should buy the iPad 8th Gen (2020). For about $30 more, it supports iPadOS 26, performs better, has a larger display, and will remain usable for several more years.
11. Why is the iPad 8th Gen a better value than the iPad 6th Gen?
Because it offers:
- Full support for iPadOS 26
- Faster A12 Bionic performance
- Larger 10.2-inch Retina display
- Much longer remaining lifespan
All for a relatively small price difference.
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