The 11-inch iPad is the entry model in Apple’s tablet line, but don’t let the low price fool you. While it doesn’t have the powerhouse M4 or M5 chips the Air and Pro do, this iPad’s A16 (first released in the iPhone 14 Pro) is more than enough for most people. So, if you’re not looking to edit video or work on intricate art projects, you might want to take a look at the base iPad before you drop some major cash.
Your new go-to tablet for handling every use case
The best addition with this new version of the iPad is the upgrade in base storage. Older entry-level iPads released with 64 GB, and just a few games and downloaded TV episodes would quickly fill that space. Since this model starts at 128 GB, you’ll spend much less time worrying about deleting items to free up storage.
Performance is an area in which the A16 chip excels. The A16 chip handles multiple open Safari tabs, streaming apps, and a video call simultaneously with no lag. Unfortunately, the A16 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. So, Apple’s AI writing and image tools are unavailable. However, aside from these AI features, the iPad handles most tasks as readily as the Air and Pro.
The display measures 11 inches diagonally at a 2360 by 1640 resolution, and has True Tone, which adjusts the screen’s color temperature to match the light in the room. The result is a screen that looks natural indoors and outdoors and avoids that eyescalding blue you get on most cheap tablet screens. Additionally, the panel works with the Apple Pencil via USB-C for handwriting and sketching, though it doesn’t support the Apple Pencil Pro, which offers pressure and squeeze features.
Apple moved the front camera to the long edge of the iPad, which matters more than it sounds. When the tablet is propped up sideways in a stand or keyboard case for a video call, the camera now sits directly above the screen rather than off to one side, so you appear to be looking at the person you’re talking to.
At $299 on Amazon, the 11-inch iPad comes in $50 below the $349 price. The doubled base storage and the A16 chip are the two things that make this version worth owning for several years rather than feeling sluggish within a year, and the discount puts Apple’s most popular tablet under $300.