Official manufacturer render.
Apple
iPad A16
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina
- Apple A16 · 5-core CPU
- 477 g
- From $349
Available colors
Selected: Blue
Physical specifications
10.9"
Display size
477 g
Weight
248.6 mm
Height
179.5 mm
Width
7.0 mm
Thickness
—
Aspect ratio
Release and pricing
- Announced
- March 5, 2025
- Released
- March 12, 2025
- Starting price
- $349
- Market
- US
- Configuration
- 128 GB Wi‑Fi
Display
- Display size
- 10.9"
- Display technology
- Liquid Retina IPS
- Resolution
- 2360 × 1640
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Peak brightness
- 500 nits
- Protection
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
Performance
- Chipset
- Apple A16
- CPU
- 5-core CPU
- GPU
- 4-core GPU
- RAM
- 6 GB
- Storage
- 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Expandable storage
- No
Cameras
- Rear cameras
- Wide · 12 MP · ƒ/1.8
- Front cameras
- Landscape · 12 MP · ƒ/2.4
- Video recording
- 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps
Build & durability
- Frame
- Aluminum
- Back
- Aluminum
- Ingress protection
- None published
Connectivity
- Cellular
- Wi‑Fi, Wi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Wi‑Fi
- Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.2
- USB
- USB-C
- NFC
- No
- eSIM
- Yes
Sizometry Analysis
Overall Score
7.5
out of 10
An excellent entry-value iPad for families and students with snappy A16 performance and a welcomed 128 GB base, tempered by non-laminated display compromises, limited Pencil support, no Apple Intelligence, and expensive official keyboard pricing.
Category scores
Camera
6.0
Utility-grade cameras adequate for calls and scanning, with no photography expectations at this tier.
Battery and charging
8.0
Dependable all-day patterns for student and family routines without class-leading endurance claims.
Performance
7.5
Fast routine use with occasional warmth under sustained load.
Handling and portability
5.5
Manageable daily carry with familiar reach and pocket trade-offs for the size class.
Build quality
7.0
Solid aluminum chassis for family use, with non-laminated display as the main perceived compromise.
Value
7.0
Balanced capability for the price with deliberate omissions versus higher tiers.
Strengths
- Best entry pricing with 128 GB base in Apple’s lineup
- Snappy A16 for everyday browsing and schoolwork
- Ideal shared family or student tablet role
- USB-C modernity without Air or Pro spending
Weaknesses
- Non-laminated display gap hurts Pencil feel for serious styluses
- No Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Intelligence
- Magic Keyboard Folio pricing undermines value story
- Incremental update for iPad 10th-gen owners
Best for
- Families and students on a budget
- First-time iPad buyers with casual workflows
- Households needing a shared streaming and homework screen
- Buyers who will rarely use Pencil or official keyboard
Less suitable for
- Pencil-first artists wanting laminated glass and pressure sensitivity
- Shoppers expecting Apple Intelligence features
- Laptop-replacement buyers needing premium keyboard ergonomics
- iPad 10th-gen owners without storage or speed pain
Upgrade recommendation
Current device: iPad 9th gen or older entry iPad
Recommendation: Strongly recommendedNotes: USB-C, A16 speed, and 128 GB base resolve the clearest multi-year pain points at approachable pricing.
Current device: iPad 10th generation
Recommendation: Probably unnecessaryNotes: Similar display and accessories; upgrade mainly if storage or performance became limiting.
Current device: Budget Android tablet users
Recommendation: Worth consideringNotes: Strong entry to iPadOS and app quality when casual use is the goal.
Current device: Cross-shopping iPad Air
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Choose Air if Pencil Pro, laminated display, and better long-term accessories matter; A16 if price dominates.
Current device: Considering iPad mini instead
Recommendation: Depends on prioritiesNotes: Mini for handheld reading; A16 for larger split-screen homework canvas at lower cost than Air.
Everyday usability
Estimated from device dimensions and weight.
Handling
Two-handed preferredTwo-handed use is generally the more natural way to hold this device.
Bag portability
LimitedNot intended for pocket carry; plan on a bag, sleeve, or hand carry.
Carry comfort
BalancedWeight sits in a balanced range for everyday holding and carrying.
Reading and media
A familiar tablet size for reading, browsing, and video.
Gaming
SuitableIts hardware should handle most modern games, though demanding titles may benefit from adjusted settings.
Bottom line
The iPad A16 succeeds when buyers want the simplest full-size iPad money can buy — a 10.9-inch screen for school portals, family streaming, and couch browsing with A16 snappiness and a 128 GB floor that finally feels modern. The compromises are visible to the right eyes: an air gap under the glass, no Apple Intelligence, Pencil options that stop short of Pro, and a Magic Keyboard Folio that can cost nearly as much as the tablet itself. Families and students who never needed a laminated panel report lasting satisfaction; Pencil-heavy users and laptop replacers should spend time with an iPad Air before committing. Upgraders from very old entry iPads gain the clearest value; iPad 10th-gen owners should treat the step as optional.
Models and configurations
- Storage
- 128 GB256 GB512 GB
- Connectivity
- Wi‑FiWi‑Fi + Cellular (5G)
- Colors
- BluePinkYellowSilver
- RAM
- 6 GB
- SIM configuration
- eSIM
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