Apple iPad (A16) review: More than enough

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

Again in 2022, the entry degree iPad had a design shake up, eradicating the Residence Button on the backside of the show and placing the Contact ID fingerprint sensor into the facility button. It resulted in a uniform bezel across the display screen, 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 due to an upgraded processor, extra RAM and double the bottom storage of the mannequin it replaces. With a beginning value 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 one of the best purchase within the lineup? I’ve been utilizing it because it launched in March to search out out.

Design & Construct 

• Equivalent design
• 4 color choices
• Aluminium construct

It’s taken Apple practically three years to exchange the common iPad, nevertheless 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 provided 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 nonetheless, with the iPad (A16) equivalent to the iPad (tenth technology) it replaces and just about equivalent in design to the iPad Air (M3) too.

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

As I discussed, the Contact ID fingerprint sensor is constructed into the facility button within the prime proper when holding the iPad (A16) in a portrait place – a change 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 social gathering keyboard, USB-C on the backside and the entrance digicam alongside the correct 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 somewhat punchier than the pastel tones of the iPad Air. Flat edges are one thing of a pattern nowadays in each telephones and tablets, with Samsung’s premium Galaxy Tabs additionally choosing this design function over curved edges. They make the iPad (A16) straightforward to carry and the 477g weight means you may watch a whole movie with out your consolation waning. 

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You probably have the iPad (tenth technology), there actually is not any purpose from a design perspective to improve to the iPad (A16). In case you are new to iPad nonetheless, or you will have a mannequin that dates again to the iPad (ninth technology) or older, the iPad (A16) affords 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

Not like the iPad Air (M3) and iPad Professional (M4), the iPad (A16) solely is available in one display screen measurement and that’s 11-in. It’s a Liquid Retina show, which interprets to an IPS LCD panel, which is similar know-how 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 affords higher distinction, however there’s a lot on supply for the worth, with sharp element and punchy colors.

There are a few issues to say on the show, nonetheless. 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 know-how, the iPad (A16) isn’t pretty much as good at lowering glare in the event you use it outdoors 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 screen that’s not as responsive when utilizing equipment together with the Apple Pencil, and even when drawing together with your finger. It’s not a problem when searching, scrolling or watching content material, nevertheless it’s noticeable while you’re doing one thing that requires extra intricacy. 

It’s not suitable 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 stable expertise.

When it comes to watching content material, the iPad (A16)’s display screen is greater than as much as this activity, with every part, from the final Netflix sequence I watched to my Instagram feed, wanting nice. The refresh charge 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 could possibly watch a movie or video with out headphones, though I’d advocate utilizing headphones for one of the best expertise. Flip the quantity up too excessive and the sound does get somewhat distorted, so the audio system are fantastic for a fast catch-up of social media reels or a information video, however you received’t get probably the most out of a movie or TV sequence and not using a little assist.

Specs & Efficiency 

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

Underneath the hood, there are a number 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 simply’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 net, learn the morning information, make amends 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 enough. 

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 by way of efficiency is the iPad mini that launched in October 2024, however as I stated, fundamental on a regular basis duties aren’t any drawback.

If you wish to do greater than informal gaming, one thing extra intensive like picture enhancing or working repeatedly on the transfer, relatively than dabbling within the odd e mail, I’d advocate 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 an enormous win for individuals who wish to obtain giant apps or retailer films and exhibits 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
• Heart Stage

There’s a single rear digicam 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 photographs must you actually wish to use your iPad as a digicam. 

I can’t say that is one thing I’d advocate, nonetheless. 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 the event you’re on the lookout for any type of high quality in your photographs.

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

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The entrance digicam is often used extra on an iPad than the rear digicam. It’s the digicam you’ll use for video calls, be that skilled ones or catching up with pals or household. The panorama orientation that Apple switched to on the 2022 common iPad made its manner 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 must you be doing an all-family or pals catch-up name, whereas for skilled calls, extra of your surroundings is proven – simply keep in mind to maneuver the washing basket which may have beforehand been out of shot within the portrait orientation. Just like the iPad Air (M3), the 12-megapixel entrance digicam helps 1080p video and the Heart Stage function is obtainable too, which is able to maintain you within the body even in the event you transfer across the room.

Battery Life & Charging 

Apple guarantees 10 hours of video watching and 9 hours of searching the net for the iPad (A16), which is similar as all different iPad fashions, whether or not you’re speaking concerning 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. 

If you happen to connected the Magic Folio Keyboard, the battery does deplete somewhat faster however that’s the case for all tablets. For informal watching, checking emails, and a little bit of on-line searching, 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 obtainable 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, supplying you with a number of hours of use inside plenty of minutes, whereas the iPad (A16) will take a few hours. 

It’s not the tip of the world and it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, nevertheless it’s one thing to remember. 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 affords a wonderful expertise by way of 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 which you could have extra apps operating concurrently, however Apple nonetheless permits for multi-tasking of two apps, and the Break up Display view is simpler to entry than some Android tablets. 

The newest 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 throughout the Management Centre extra freely for simpler entry to explicit settings. The software program additionally added a function referred to 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 plenty of different options, like Writing Instruments and Precedence Notifications utilizing AI. That’s not an possibility for the iPad (A16), nonetheless, because the processor doesn’t help Apple’s AI providing. It means you received’t get entry to some fairly helpful options, corresponding to Clear Up in Images for eradicating undesirable objects or individuals from the background of your photographs.

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Presently, the dearth of Apple Intelligence isn’t an enormous subject. Apple Intelligence continues to be missing a few of its main options, corresponding to a wiser and extra contextual Siri, however there might come a time in a few years the place this iPad is lagging with out it, so it’s one thing value contemplating in the event 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 high 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 sometimes you would possibly 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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Do you have to purchase the Apple iPad (A16)?

The common iPad (A16) is a superb mannequin in the event you’re on the lookout for an Apple pill that doesn’t value the earth and delivers the fundamentals very properly. It affords an outstanding construct high quality, stable efficiency and an amazing 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 sluggish and equipment must be purchased individually. This iPad is sort of half the worth of the iPad Air (M3) nonetheless, and in comparison with the 2022 mannequin, you get a efficiency increase, extra RAM and double the storage for that cash, none of which you’ll be able to actually argue with. 

You probably have the 2022 iPad, it’s possible you received’t must improve however you probably have an older iPad otherwise you’re coming to iPad for the primary time, the iPad (A16) is an excellent pill that does most of what you would possibly use a pill for – watching content material, searching the net, studying the information, making notes – exceptionally properly. 

If this isn’t the correct ipad for you, take a look at our evaluations of the iPad (tenth technology) which launched on the finish of 2022, the iPad mini (A17 Professional), or browse our choose of one of the 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-compulsory)
• eSIM
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 12Mp Panorama front-facing digicam with Heart Stage
• 12Mp rear digicam
• USB-C port
• 28.93Wh battery 
• Out there in Silver, Blue, Pink, Yellow
• 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm 
• 477g (Wi-Fi) / 481g (Wi-Fi & Mobile)