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Apple iPad (A16)
Apple

iPad (A16)

Apple's cheapest iPad costs $449, runs past 11 hours on the web, and covers streaming, school and notes.

Tablets
8.0/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Buy the iPad (A16) if you want a full-size iPad for video, homework and notes: Apple lists it at $449 for 128GB (Oct 8, 2026), after a $100 rise on June 25. It lasted 11 h 25 min in a web-browsing battery test, and USB-C plus 128GB of base storage fix the old iPad's biggest gripes. Skip it if you want Apple Intelligence or Apple Pencil Pro support, which start with the $599 iPad mini (A17 Pro). The 11-inch screen is 60Hz, not laminated and has no anti-reflective coating, and charging is slow.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
iPad (A16)Check priceSee price
Key specs
Screen size
11"
Battery
28.93 Wh
Display type
Liquid Retina display
Rear camera
12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Five-element lens - Autofocus with Focus Pixels - Panorama (up to
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Brightness
500 nits
Performance
Processor
A16
GPU
4-core GPU
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Body
Dimensions
height: 9.79 inches (248.6 mm); width: 7.07 inches (179.5 mm); depth: 0.28 inch (7 mm)
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

ChipsetA164-core GPU
RAM / storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB
25 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the iPad (A16) if you want a full-size iPad for video, homework and notes: Apple lists it at $449 for 128GB (Oct 8, 2026), after a $100 rise on June 25. It lasted 11 h 25 min in a web-browsing battery test, and USB-C plus 128GB of base storage fix the old iPad's biggest gripes. Skip it if you want Apple Intelligence or Apple Pencil Pro support, which start with the $599 iPad mini (A17 Pro). The 11-inch screen is 60Hz, not laminated and has no anti-reflective coating, and charging is slow.

Best for

Families, students and anyone who wants a big-screen iPad for video, browsing and notes at Apple's lowest price.

Not for

Anyone who wants Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro support or a laminated, high-refresh screen.

Main strengthLasted 11 h 25 min in a web-browsing battery test
Main weaknessNo Apple Intelligence support
Reasons to buy
Lasted 11 h 25 min in a web-browsing battery test
128GB base storage, double the old entry iPad
USB-C and a slim, light all-screen design
A16 chip handles streaming, school apps and light games with ease
Reasons to avoid
No Apple Intelligence support
60Hz screen isn't laminated and has no anti-reflective coating
Slow charging, and the keyboard and pencil cost extra
Measured view8.0/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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Tech Advisor4/5
Article · Full reviewApple iPad (A16) review: More than enoughBritta O’Boyle · Jun 2025Read on Tech Advisor ↗
WIRED8/10
Article · Full reviewApple iPad (A16, 2025) Review: Brilliantly BasicBrenda Stolyar · Apr 2025Read on WIRED ↗
Macworld4/5
Article · Full reviewiPad (A16) review: Who needs AI anyway?Stephan Wiesend · Mar 2025Read on Macworld ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

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Apple iPad (A16)
This deviceiPad (A16)
VS
iPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)
AlternativeiPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)
Chipset
A16A20 Pro
Full comparison
Apple iPad (A16)
This deviceiPad (A16)
VS
iPad Air 13-inch (M4)
AlternativeiPad Air 13-inch (M4)
Chipset
A16M4
Full comparison
Apple iPad (A16)
This deviceiPad (A16)
VS
AlternativeiPad mini
Score
8—
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

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iPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)—
AppleiPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)8.5" (216 mm) · A20 Pro
—
AppleiPad mini7.9" (201 mm)
iPad Air 13-inch (M4)8.6
AppleiPad Air 13-inch (M4)13" (330 mm) · M4 · 12 GB
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)—
AppleiPad Air 11-inch (M4)11" (279 mm) · M4 · 12 GB
Product data

Full specifications

25 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Screen size
11"
Display type
Liquid Retina display
Brightness
500

Performance

CPU
5-core CPU

Battery & Charging

Battery
28.93 Wh
Charging port
USB-C

Camera

Rear camera
  • 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Five-element lens - Autofocus with Focus Pixels - Panorama (up to
  • 63MP) - Smart HDR 4 - Photo geotagging - Auto image stabilization - Burst mode - Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG

Connectivity

Wi‑Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
5.3
Ports
USB-C port with support for:

Body

Dimensions
248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm
Weight
477 g
Vote & discuss

Community says

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iPad (A16)No store price yetSpecs
Apple iPad (A16) Specs, Price & Features | Gadget Clash