Apple’s latest entry-level iPad, known as the iPad A16, brings significant upgrades in performance and storage while maintaining an affordable price point. This 11th generation iPad introduces the A16 Bionic chip, offering a substantial boost in processing power compared to its predecessor. However, it’s the first new Apple device to lack support for Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI platform. Let’s dive into the key features and improvements of this new iPad model.
Design and Display
The iPad A16 retains the modern design language introduced with the 10th generation iPad. It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360x1640 pixels and 264 pixels per inch. The screen offers 500 nits of brightness and True Tone technology for comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions.
While the display quality is good for most users, it falls short of the iPad Air and Pro models in a few areas:
- It lacks support for the P3 wide color gamut
- The refresh rate is limited to 60Hz (no ProMotion)
- The screen is more reflective than higher-end models
Despite these limitations, the display is still sharp and vibrant for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light creative work.
Performance
The A16 Bionic chip at the heart of this iPad offers a significant performance boost over the previous generation:
- 5-core CPU (one core less than the iPhone version)
- 4-core GPU
- 16-core Neural Engine
In benchmarks, the iPad A16 shows impressive single-core performance, nearly matching the iPad Air M3 in web browsing tests. However, its multi-core and graphics performance are noticeably behind the M-series chips:
- Geekbench 6 single-core score: ~2540
- Geekbench 6 multi-core score: ~5670
- Geekbench 6 GPU score: ~20,000
While these scores indicate lower performance than the iPad Air M3, the A16 chip still provides ample power for most iPad tasks, including web browsing, document editing, and even light video editing.
Storage and RAM
Apple has made significant improvements in the base storage and memory configuration:
- Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (up from 64GB base model)
- 6GB of RAM (up from 4GB in the previous generation)
These upgrades ensure better multitasking capabilities and more room for apps, documents, and media files.
Connectivity and Accessories
The iPad A16 offers modern connectivity options with some limitations:
- USB-C port (USB 2.0 speeds only)
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- 5G support on cellular models (eSIM only)
- Bluetooth 5.3
Accessory support includes:
- Apple Pencil (USB-C) and 1st generation Apple Pencil
- Smart Connector for Magic Keyboard Folio
- Compatible with Smart Folio cases
Notably, the iPad A16 does not support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil or the more versatile Magic Keyboard used by iPad Air and Pro models.
Cameras and Audio
The camera setup remains similar to the previous generation:
- 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage
- 12MP wide rear camera
Both cameras support 4K video recording at up to 60fps. The landscape orientation of the front camera is ideal for video calls.
Audio is handled by stereo speakers, which provide good sound quality for a tablet in this price range.
Battery Life
Apple claims up to 10 hours of web surfing or video playback on a single charge. In real-world testing, the iPad A16 delivers:
- About 6 hours of continuous video playback at maximum brightness
- Approximately 7 hours of web browsing at 50% brightness
These results are in line with previous iPad models and should be sufficient for most users’ daily needs.
Software and AI Capabilities
The iPad A16 runs iPadOS, offering a tablet-optimized experience with features like Split View and Slide Over for multitasking. However, it lacks support for some advanced features found on higher-end iPads:
- No Stage Manager support
- Cannot use an external display as an extended desktop
The most notable omission is support for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI platform. While this means the iPad A16 won’t have access to on-device AI features, users can still utilize third-party AI apps and services available on the App Store.
Price and Value
Starting at $349 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, the iPad A16 offers a compelling balance of performance and affordability. It’s positioned as an excellent choice for:
- Students and educators
- Casual users who primarily browse, stream, and use basic productivity apps
- Families looking for a shared device
For users needing more power or advanced features, the iPad Air or iPad Pro models may be better options, albeit at a higher price point.
The iPad A16 proves to be a solid upgrade in Apple’s entry-level tablet lineup. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of its more expensive siblings, it delivers strong performance, ample storage, and a modern design at an accessible price point. The absence of Apple Intelligence support may disappoint some, but for many users, this iPad will meet and exceed their tablet computing needs.