New iPad (A16) Review: Performance Over Hype—A Solid Tablet for Everyday Use Without Apple Intelligence

Upon its launch in 2022, Apple’s 10th-generation iPad found itself in a precarious market position, offering a long-awaited design update but at a premium cost. Fast forward a year and a half, and Apple implemented a $100 discount, significantly enhancing its overall value. Recently, the company has surreptitiously launched a successor, the iPad (A16). This new iteration is a less significant update, primarily giving performance enhancements without altering the overall experience. It notably omits the Apple Intelligence features that have been heavily advertised over the previous year.

This absence of dramatic alterations isn’t inherently negative. When analyzed alongside the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini, the iPad (A16) emerges as one of the most straightforward options for users — it’s the most economical, available in a singular size, and evidently tailored to fundamental iPad functions. However, it doesn’t guarantee a clear victory in the market.

Apple

84100Expert Score

Apple iPad (A16)

This isn’t the most exhilarating update and it lacks Apple Intelligence features, but Apple’s latest basic tablet continues to cater to the needs of most iPad users without drama.

Pros

• A16 chip offers ample performance for typical iPad tasks
• Increased storage and additional RAM compared to the previous model remained at the same price
• Solid build quality and battery longevity
• iPadOS has the most extensive app ecosystem and features optimized for tablets
• Lack of Apple Intelligence

Cons

• Display is in need of an update
• Apple Pencil connection remains frustrating
• Magic Keyboard Folio is expensive and not suited for use on your lap
• M-series chip iPads may prove more future-proof
• Absence of Apple Intelligence

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What remains the same

Virtually everything related to the latest iPad mirrors the design of the prior entry-level iPad released in 2022, which successfully introduced several features from the iPad Air model at a more affordable price point. The overall design is unchanged, with identical dimensions, weight, bezels, display characteristics, and aluminum finish. The display is now marketed as 11 inches rather than 10.9 inches, but this is merely a marketing strategy as the actual size is unchanged.

It retains the competent 12-megapixel cameras on both the front and back, with the selfie camera conveniently positioned along the long side of the device for FaceTime discussions. An equally reliable Touch ID fingerprint sensor is embedded in the power button instead of the more advanced Face ID system. Two speakers are placed at opposing ends behind what may appear to be four speaker grilles, while a solitary USB-C port continues to support basic USB 2.0 transfer speeds. The accessory compatibility remains the same too, with the device available in the same vibrant colors: blue, pink, yellow, or silver.

The battery duration similarly remains at approximately 10 hours on a single charge, subject to minor variations depending on usage. After watching a 1080p film on repeat at around 70% brightness and volume (with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth deactivated), I experienced a battery life of 11 hours and 19 minutes. Naturally, more intensive tasks like gaming or media editing tend to drain the battery more quickly.

Overall, this functionality is satisfactory for a tablet priced at $349. The prior iPad was lightweight and comfortable to handle, with a premium aluminum finish and flat edges giving it a modern feel. This iteration does not deviate from that trend. Additionally, iPadOS continues to outshine both Android and Windows tablets concerning app and game compatibility, longevity of updates, and features suited for larger displays. However, if the 10th-gen iPad was a «tick» update, the iPad (A16) can be labeled a «tock.»

Nevertheless, it comes with significant improvements, including a faster chip, additional memory, and higher storage options, along with minor tweaks such as Smart HDR 4 processing for images and Bluetooth 5.3 support instead of Bluetooth 5.2. While these changes serve to enhance the overall specifications, it’s clear that some aspects could benefit from updates in future iterations.

Improvements in chip performance and RAM

The standout feature of the new iPad is its A16 chip, a slightly downgraded variant of the A16 Bionic found in the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro and the standard iPhone 15 from 2023. In this model, the A16 has five CPU cores instead of six and four GPU cores compared to five in the more powerful variant.

Yet, in real-world usage, it proves to be more than sufficient for the majority of tasks associated with iPads: web browsing, video streaming, reading digital books, editing photos, or engaging in most gaming activities. I evaluated this iPad against my personal 13-inch iPad Air M2 during this review, and both devices consistently powered on and accessed common applications with similar speed. Any difference where the Air M2 excelled was negligible and not easily observable.

Geekbench 6 results support this assertion: The iPad (A16) achieved a single-core CPU score of 2,582, while the iPad Air M2 scored marginally better at 2,632. This represents approximately a 20 percent increase compared to the 10th-gen iPad, although the newer iPad Air M3 remains roughly 16-18 percent faster. However, for everyday media consumption and standard work activities, this device feels as though it won’t slow down anytime soon.

These performance upgrades are bolstered by the 6GB of RAM, which is an increase of 2GB from the previous model and double that of the 9th-generation iPad from 2021. Although this still falls short of the memory available in the iPad Air and lower-tier iPad Pros, acquiring more memory for the same price is an advantage, allowing the device to keep applications and Safari tabs active longer before refreshing is needed. This enhancement not only aids current usage but also extends the potential lifespan of the tablet four to five years into the future.

Where the iPad (A16) lags behind its higher-tier counterparts is in multi-core processing and graphics performance. In the Geekbench 6 results, the tablet’s multi-core CPU score was approximately 40 percent lower than that of the iPad Air M2 (6,185 compared to 10,006), whereas its GPU score fell around 55 percent short (19,448 against 42,920). Other graphics tests yielded similar results: it recorded nearly 60 percent lower performance than the Air M2 in 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme benchmark (averaging 15.2 fps versus 37.6 fps) and showed performance deficits of between 45 to 55 percent lower on GFXBench’s Aztec Ruins benchmark, depending on the resolution. Naturally, when contrasted with the newer iPad Air M3, this gap will widen.

This disparity appears more significant on paper than it does in practice. Many daily operations on the iPad do not push the chip’s multi-core capability to its limits, and the benchmarks above still indicate a notable 15 to 30 percent improvement over the last entry-level iPad. I was able to run Call of Duty Mobile smoothly at the highest settings (with the exception of the 120 fps mode). Diablo Immortal alerted me that utilizing max settings would put the device under «high» load — whereas with the Air M2, it would only reach a “medium” load — yet I managed through the initial segments without issue (though it did seem to accelerate the battery’s drain). Tasks such as editing RAW photos in Lightroom or composing music in GarageBand remained largely untroubled.

However, the Air does outperform if you’re planning to stretch capabilities. This becomes evident during gameplay with the latest, more resource-intensive iPadOS titles. For example, playing Infinity Nikki at ultra or high settings on the new iPad resulted in noticeable lag and some slowdowns during complex animations. Notably, it also heated the back of the device and drained the battery faster. The game remained playable at medium settings, but those settings felt less restrictive on the iPad Air M2, where graphics appeared crisper and gameplay smoother at high settings. Additionally, the Air processes higher-resolution video exports in apps like Adobe Premiere Rush more swiftly.

The advantages of the M-series chip in the iPad Air and added RAM largely pertain to future-proofing rather than immediate benefits. Features including Apple Intelligence and the Stage Manager multitasking features are unavailable on this device, alongside some particularly demanding titles. While they’re not crucial for the moment, the absence of Stage Manager makes it less convenient to maximize the use of external displays—creating some uncertain future when new and advanced iPadOS features or resource-heavy games may not be compatible with this basic model.

Increased storage — a welcome change

The most beneficial enhancement in the iPad (A16) is undoubtedly its storage capacity, commencing with 128GB, which is double that of its predecessor. Also available is a new 512GB variant priced at $649. This is a basic upgrade that significantly improves the long-term investment potential of the tablet, especially considering Apple does not offer options for manual storage upgrades.

An acceptable display, but updates are overdue

In a recent review of the iPad Air M3, my colleague Nathan Ingraham posited that Apple ought to refresh the Air’s display with upgraded refresh rates or a mini LED display, given that the OLED technology present in the iPad Pros provides considerable enhancements. Since the display on the iPad (A16) remains the same as its predecessor, I would argue the case for the entry-level model upgrades too, albeit on a smaller scale.

On its own, the IPS display is still satisfactory. It offers a reasonable size, acceptable clarity, isn’t prone to excessive smudging, and doesn’t suffer serious color fidelity defects. A tablet, after all, thrives on its display size, and the majority of prospective users will still find joy in watching and reading on this device. While I can manage the 60Hz refresh rate—considered the lowest standard in 2025—it becomes a more significant drawback when compared to a $599 (or $799) tablet like the iPad Air rather than a $349 option.

Other limitations are more bothersome. The display isn’t laminated, which creates a visible air gap between the LCD and the glass surface. While this design choice enhances repair accessibility, it contributes to a sleeker appearance and a less immediate interaction experience with the glass. This is particularly noticeable with the Apple Pencil: writing notes on the iPad Air provides a more natural, quieter experience. Those who have not previously used a high-tier iPad may not mind this, but once perceived, it is hard to overlook.

Additionally, the display lacks an anti-reflective coating, making it less effective at reducing glare. While it’s still usable outdoors, reflections are far more pronounced on the iPad (A16) than on the iPad Air M2 in sunlight, necessitating display angling to see properly. Unlike the iPad Air and iPad Pro, the base model iPad is not configured for a broader P3 color gamut. While the disparity in color accuracy between the iPad Air and iPad (A16) is not as dramatic as that of the Air and iPad Pro, the Air’s colors can appear more vivid and less washed-out when viewed side by side.

While I value that Apple persists in maintaining its “good, better, best” product hierarchy, the display technology of the iPad Pro has become so advanced compared to the rest of the range that room exists for adjustments in parity. If the forthcoming Air can transition to a 120Hz refresh rate, as Nathan proposes, the next entry-level iPad should at the very least incorporate a laminated display with better glare resistance. These should no longer be considered premium features.

Ongoing complications with accessories

The iPad (A16) continues to face compatibility issues with both the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Like its predecessor, it does not support the Pencil Pro (the best stylus from Apple) or the older second-generation Pencil. Consequently, the only stylus available with pressure sensitivity — an essential feature for digital artists to create darker markings by applying greater pressure — is the original Pencil, which is nearly ten years old and lacks the comfort and magnetic attachment of newer models. Additionally, it requires both a USB-C cable and an adapter to charge. All of these shortcomings are unfortunate.

You can still purchase the $79 USB-C Pencil, which provides a better grip and can magnetically connect to the iPad’s side, albeit without pressure sensitivity and still requiring separate cables for setup and charging. Ultimately, for those interested in drawing, starting with an iPad Air is the better path. Personally, I have reservations regarding this iPad’s Magic Keyboard Folio, which features a Surface-style kickstand that is challenging to stabilize on your lap and lacks backlit keys — all this comes at a steep price of $249.

Absence of Apple Intelligence features, but it’s acceptable (for now)

As previously stated, the iPad (A16) does not support Apple Intelligence—an umbrella term for the suite of AI capabilities Apple has been gradually implementing since late last year. In fact, it stands as the sole major device from Apple devoid of these AI enhancements post-release.

At this moment, however, you won’t be missing out on much by not having them. Sure, the “