Apple iPad (A16) review: More than enough

Worth When Reviewed

$349

Finest Costs Right this moment: Apple iPad (A16)

The Apple iPad (A16) is the eleventh technology of the corporate’s entry stage pill, changing the iPad (tenth technology) which launched on the finish of 2022. It’s positioned beneath all the opposite fashions, together with the iPad mini (A17 Professional), and it’s the most affordable approach to get your fingers on one of many newest Apple tablets. 

Again in 2022, the entry stage iPad had a design shake up, eradicating the Dwelling Button on the backside of the show and placing the Contact ID fingerprint sensor into the ability button. It resulted in a uniform bezel across the display, whereas the aluminium edges have been flattened, matching the iPad Air. 

For the 2025 mannequin, nothing has modified on the design entrance, and the color choices stay the identical too, although the iPad (A16) does have a lift in efficiency because of an upgraded processor, extra RAM and double the bottom storage of the mannequin it replaces. With a beginning worth of simply £329, in comparison with the iPad mini which begins at £499 and the iPad Air (M3) which begins at £599, is the common iPad the very best purchase within the lineup? I’ve been utilizing it because it launched in March to search out out.

Design & Construct 

• An identical design
• 4 color choices
• Aluminium construct

It’s taken Apple almost three years to interchange the common iPad, however it shouldn’t come as an excessive amount of of a shock that the design hasn’t modified. The iPad Air has retained the identical design for over 5 years and on condition that the common iPad was solely up to date for the earlier technology, it was impossible that we’d see any main modifications this time round. There aren’t even minor modifications nevertheless, with the iPad (A16) similar to the iPad (tenth technology) it replaces and just about similar in design to the iPad Air (M3) too.

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That’s not a nasty factor as a result of that design is nice. It’s a beautiful trying pill, simply as its predecessor was and simply because the iPad Air is. The premium aluminium physique is slim, light-weight and exceptionally moveable, whereas the uniform bezel across the show makes for a symmetrical construct that’s simple on the attention.

As I discussed, the Contact ID fingerprint sensor is constructed into the ability button within the high proper when holding the iPad (A16) in a portrait place – a swap Apple fortunately made for this mannequin in 2022. You’ll discover a Good Connector on the left edge for attaching the Magic Keyboard Folio or a 3rd celebration keyboard, USB-C on the backside and the entrance digital camera alongside the appropriate edge, designed for use in a panorama orientation, which is significantly better.

There are 4 color choices – Pink, Blue, Silver and Yellow – all of that are precisely the identical because the 2022 mannequin and a bit punchier than the pastel tones of the iPad Air. Flat edges are one thing of a pattern lately in each telephones and tablets, with Samsung’s premium Galaxy Tabs additionally choosing this design function over curved edges. They make the iPad (A16) simple to carry and the 477g weight means you may watch a complete movie with out your consolation waning. 

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You probably have the iPad (tenth technology), there actually is not any cause from a design perspective to improve to the iPad (A16). If you’re new to iPad nevertheless, or you will have a mannequin that dates again to the iPad (ninth technology) or older, the iPad (A16) gives a wonderful design with little or no to complain about, and I imply very little.

Display & Audio system

• 11-inch
• IPS LCD
• Stereo audio system

In contrast to the iPad Air (M3) and iPad Professional (M4), the iPad (A16) solely is available in one display measurement and that’s 11-in. It’s a Liquid Retina show, which interprets to an IPS LCD panel, which is similar expertise you’ll discover on the iPad Air. It’s nowhere close to as spectacular because the iPad Professional and its Tandem OLED show, which is brighter and gives higher distinction, however there’s a lot on supply for the value, with sharp element and punchy colors.

There are a few issues to say on the show, nevertheless. The primary is that the common iPad doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating just like the iPad Air, so whereas it makes use of the identical show expertise, the iPad (A16) isn’t pretty much as good at decreasing glare in case you use it exterior or with a window behind you. The second factor is that it isn’t what Apple calls “Absolutely Laminated”, and this truly makes an even bigger distinction in use than the dearth of anti-reflection. 

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It means there’s an even bigger hole between the show panel and the glass in comparison with the iPad Air and iPad Professional, which ends up in a display that’s not as responsive when utilizing equipment together with the Apple Pencil, and even when drawing along with your finger. It’s not a problem when shopping, scrolling or watching content material, however it’s noticeable once you’re doing one thing that requires extra intricacy. 

It’s not appropriate with the Apple Pencil Professional, so that you don’t get all of the useful options just like the squeeze gesture, however the Apple Pencil (USB-C) nonetheless delivers a strong expertise.

When it comes to watching content material, the iPad (A16)’s display is greater than as much as this activity, with the whole lot, from the final Netflix sequence I watched to my Instagram feed, trying nice. The refresh price is 60Hz so gaming isn’t as easy as on the iPad Professional, however that’s the identical criticism I had for the Air and iPad mini, so it’s not distinctive to the common iPad. 

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The stereo audio system are adequate that you possibly can watch a movie or video with out headphones, though I’d suggest utilizing headphones for the very best expertise. Flip the amount up too excessive and the sound does get a bit distorted, so the audio system are positive for a fast catch-up of social media reels or a information video, however you gained’t get probably the most out of a movie or TV sequence with out a little assist.

Specs & Efficiency 

• Apple A16 processor
• 128GB beginning storage
• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

Beneath the hood, there are a couple of extra variations from the iPad (tenth technology) in that Apple has upgraded the processor from the A14 Bionic silicon chip to the A16 Bionic. It’s the identical processor that you just’ll discover within the iPhone 14 Professional fashions and iPhone 15 fashions, and it’s completely able to performing day-to-day duties. Browse the online, learn the morning information, compensate for your favorite TV sequence, make notes: all of those run effortlessly on the common iPad and if that’s all you wish to do in your pill, this mannequin is greater than adequate. 

The A16 is constructed on a 4nm processor and is made up of an 5-core CPU and 4-core GPU, so it’s not as highly effective because the iPad Air and its M3 chip or the iPad Professional and its M4 chip. The closest iPad when it comes to efficiency is the iPad mini that launched in October 2024, however as I stated, primary on a regular basis duties aren’t any drawback.

If you wish to do greater than informal gaming, one thing extra intensive like picture modifying or working repeatedly on the transfer, fairly than dabbling within the odd e-mail, I’d suggest upgrading to the iPad Air (M3). It’s not as a result of the common iPad can’t deal with multitasking and productiveness, however the expertise is quicker and higher on the iPad Air.

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There’s extra RAM within the iPad (A16) in comparison with the iPad (tenth technology), which improves efficiency efficiency towards the 2022 mannequin, alongside the improve in processor. There’s additionally double the bottom storage in comparison with the iPad (tenth technology), with a beginning capability of 128GB as a substitute of 64GB. With no microSD help for storage growth, that’s a giant win for individuals who wish to obtain massive apps or retailer films and reveals on their pill.

When it comes to different specs, there’s help for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and there’s the choice of Wi-Fi solely or Wi-Fi and Mobile utilizing eSIM.

Cameras

• 12Mp rear, f/1.8
• 12Mp entrance, f/2.0
• Middle Stage

There’s a single rear digital camera sensor on the iPad (A16), which is similar because the one you’ll discover on the iPad Air (M3). It’s a 12-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and it will provide you with adequate pictures do you have to actually wish to use your iPad as a digital camera. 

I can’t say that is one thing I’d suggest, nevertheless. A smartphone will at all times ship far superior outcomes, even you probably have a mid-range smartphone, so do contemplate pulling out your telephone as a substitute of your iPad in case you’re searching for any form of high quality in your pictures.

The rear sensor is useful for scanning paperwork or maybe taking a photograph of one thing so as to add to a be aware or slideshow, however you shouldn’t use your iPad in case you’ll later wish to print out an image and body it in your wall.

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The entrance digital camera is usually used extra on an iPad than the rear digital camera. It’s the digital camera you’ll use for video calls, be that skilled ones or catching up with mates or household. The panorama orientation that Apple switched to on the 2022 common iPad made its approach onto all different iPads that launched following that mannequin, and naturally, that features this mannequin too.

It permits for extra individuals to suit into the body do you have to be doing an all-family or mates catch-up name, whereas for skilled calls, extra of your setting is proven – simply keep in mind to maneuver the washing basket that may have beforehand been out of shot within the portrait orientation. Just like the iPad Air (M3), the 12-megapixel entrance digital camera helps 1080p video and the Middle Stage function is obtainable too, which is able to hold you within the body even in case you transfer across the room.

Battery Life & Charging 

Apple guarantees 10 hours of video watching and 9 hours of shopping the online for the iPad (A16), which is similar as all different iPad fashions, whether or not you’re speaking in regards to the iPad Professional (M4) or the iPad mini (A17 Professional). I discovered that to be an correct declare in my testing, with an hour of YouTube streaming utilizing between 8 and 9 per cent of battery life. 

When you connected the Magic Folio Keyboard, the battery does deplete a bit faster however that’s the case for all tablets. For informal watching, checking emails, and a little bit of on-line shopping, whether or not purchasing or information studying, you’ll simply get a working day trip of the iPad (A16) and it’ll see you thru a flight from London to New York too. 

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However very quick charging isn’t out there on the iPad (A16), which tops out at 20W. Some Android tablets, just like the Oppo Pad 3 Professional or OnePlus Pad 2, have help for a lot quicker charging, providing you with a couple of hours of use inside a lot of minutes, whereas the iPad (A16) will take a few hours. 

It’s not the top of the world and it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, however it’s one thing to bear in mind. The opposite factor to notice is the charging brick isn’t included within the field, so that you’ll want to provide that.

Software program & Apps

• iPadOS 18
• No Apple Intelligence help

The Apple iPad (A16) runs on iPadOS 18, which is similar software program you’ll discover on the remainder of Apple’s newest iPad fashions, in addition to a few its older fashions. It gives a wonderful expertise when it comes to pill interfaces, with a slick and easy operation and an enormous variety of apps within the App Retailer optimised for bigger screens in comparison with Android. 

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Android does supply higher multi-tasking in that you would be able to have extra apps working concurrently, however Apple nonetheless permits for multi-tasking of two apps, and the Cut up Display view is less complicated to entry than some Android tablets. 

The most recent software program launched some good customisation choices too, together with the power so as to add a color tint to all of your apps and transfer icons inside the Management Centre extra freely for simpler entry to explicit settings. The software program additionally added a function known as Good Script, which neatens up your handwriting in actual time, and a Calculator app was added to iPad for the primary time with iPadOS 18, in addition to the Well being app. 

For all of Apple’s different newest iPad fashions, there’s Apple Intelligence too, which introduces a lot of different options, like Writing Instruments and Precedence Notifications utilizing AI. That’s not an possibility for the iPad (A16), nevertheless, because the processor doesn’t help Apple’s AI providing. It means you gained’t get entry to some fairly helpful options, corresponding to Clear Up in Photographs for eradicating undesirable objects or individuals from the background of your pictures.

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At present, the dearth of Apple Intelligence isn’t an enormous situation. Apple Intelligence remains to be missing a few of its main options, corresponding to a wiser and extra contextual Siri, however there could come a time in a few years the place this iPad is lagging with out it, so it’s one thing value contemplating in case you assume you’ll profit from it.

Worth & Availability 

The iPad (A16) begins at £329/$329, which incorporates 128GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity. That may be upgraded to incorporate 5G connectivity, in addition to to storage choices of 256GB or 512GB.

The prime quality iPad (A16) with 512GB of storage and Wi-Fi and Mobile prices £779/$779. Including equipment will set you again £79/$69 for the Apple Pencil USB-C and from £249/$229 for the Magic Keyboard Folio. 

You’ll not often discover Apple merchandise discounted however often you may discover a small quantity off the iPad (A16) itself, or the equipment. You should purchase an iPad (A16) from the same old locations together with Amazon, Currys and Argos within the UK. Discover it on Walmart and Goal within the US.

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Must you purchase the Apple iPad (A16)?

The common iPad (A16) is a wonderful mannequin in case you’re searching for an Apple pill that doesn’t price the earth and delivers the fundamentals very nicely. It gives an outstanding construct high quality, strong efficiency and an awesome battery life, alongside an intuitive software program expertise from iPadOS. 

The show isn’t pretty much as good because the iPad Air (M3), there’s no Apple Intelligence help and as with different iPads, charging is gradual and equipment should be purchased individually. This iPad is sort of half the value of the iPad Air (M3) nevertheless, and in comparison with the 2022 mannequin, you get a efficiency enhance, extra RAM and double the storage for that cash, none of which you’ll actually argue with. 

You probably have the 2022 iPad, it’s probably you gained’t must improve however you probably have an older iPad otherwise you’re coming to iPad for the primary time, the iPad (A16) is a superb pill that does most of what you may use a pill for – watching content material, shopping the online, studying the information, making notes – exceptionally nicely. 

If this isn’t the appropriate ipad for you, try our evaluations of the iPad (tenth technology) which launched on the finish of 2022, the iPad mini (A17 Professional), or browse our decide of the very best Apple tablets. 

Specs 

• iPadOS 18
• 11in IPS LCD show
• 2360 x 1640 (264ppi)
• Stereo audio system
• Contact ID
• 128GB/256GB/512GB storage
• Apple A16
• 5G mobile (non-obligatory)
• eSIM
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 12Mp Panorama front-facing digital camera with Middle Stage
• 12Mp rear digital camera
• USB-C port
• 28.93Wh battery 
• Accessible in Silver, Blue, Pink, Yellow
• 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm 
• 477g (Wi-Fi) / 481g (Wi-Fi & Mobile)