- This topic is empty.
-
-
Remember when Apple announced the first iPad in 2010 and everyone snickered at the name? Fourteen years later, nobody’s laughing. The iPad remains the gold standard in tablets, and Apple just refreshed the lineup with two new models:
-
iPad (A16) – the new baseline model
-
iPad Air (M3) – a thinner, slightly more powerful mid-tier option
Both are solid, both look familiar, and both come with Apple’s unmatched app ecosystem. But let’s be real: if you’re shopping today, only one of them makes sense for most people.
Read: Which iPhone 17 Model Should Android Users Consider?
iPad (A16): The Smart Choice for Almost Everyone
Apple isn’t calling it the “11th-gen iPad” anymore. Instead, meet the iPad (A16), named for the chip inside. Don’t let the modest branding fool you — this tablet is an incredible deal.
What’s new?
-
Performance boost: The A16 chip gives it more horsepower, though honestly, last year’s model wasn’t sluggish at all.
-
Double the storage: 128GB in the base model — up from 64GB — at the same $349 starting price.
Other highlights:
-
Gorgeous 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (rounded up to “11-inch” now).
-
Fun colors: blue, pink, silver, and yellow.
-
Support for the Apple Pencil (USB-C).
-
Optional cellular model for $149 extra (rare among tablets).
What’s missing? Apple Intelligence. That’s Apple’s new suite of AI tools (email summaries, image generation, better Siri, etc.). If you care deeply about future-proof AI features, you may feel left out.
But here’s the thing: for most people, AI smarts are still a “nice-to-have,” not a must. At $349, with double storage and strong performance, this iPad is easily the best tablet deal of 2025 so far.
iPad Air (M3): For Creatives and Future-Proofers
On the surface, the iPad Air (M3) feels like déjà vu. It looks just like the M2 version, and aside from a new chip, it hasn’t changed much.
What you get for $599 and up:
-
M3 processor: Fast, efficient, and ready for heavier tasks.
-
Apple Intelligence support: The Air embraces Apple’s AI suite, unlike the A16 iPad.
-
Two screen sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch.
-
Apple Pencil Pro compatibility: With haptics, squeeze gestures, and rotation detection.
-
Wi-Fi 6E: Slightly better than the A16’s Wi-Fi 6.
What hasn’t changed?
-
No Face ID — still stuck with Touch ID.
-
Cameras are identical to the last-gen model.
-
Storage starts at 128GB — no bump like the iPad (A16).
In short: the Air isn’t bad, but it’s hard to justify unless you really need Apple Intelligence, a larger 13-inch display, or the Pencil Pro features for creative work. Otherwise, the iPad (A16) gives you 80–90% of the same experience for much less cash.
Side-by-Side: iPad (A16) vs iPad Air (M3)
Feature iPad (A16) iPad Air (M3) Starting Price $349 (128GB) $599 (128GB) Chip A16 Bionic M3 Display 10.9″ Liquid Retina (11″) 11″ or 13″ Liquid Retina w/ AR coating Storage (base) 128GB 128GB Apple Intelligence ❌ Not supported ✅ Supported Stylus Support Apple Pencil (USB-C) Apple Pencil Pro (haptics, squeeze, rotation) Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 6E Colors Blue, Pink, Silver, Yellow Space Gray, Starlight, Blue, Purple Unlock Touch ID (power button) Touch ID (power button) Cellular Option +$149 +$149
What About the Mini and Pro?
Read: Apple Unveils the Ultra-Thin “iPhone Air” Amid AI Setbacks
Apple left the iPad Mini and iPad Pro untouched this year. The Mini is portable and fun, but at $499 for a smaller screen, it’s tough to recommend. The Pro is insanely powerful but costs laptop money once you add accessories. Unless you’re a serious creative pro, they’re niche options.
Bottom Line
-
Buy the iPad (A16) if you want the best iPad for most people — affordable, powerful enough, double the storage, and still gorgeous.
-
Buy the iPad Air (M3) only if you’re a creative who needs Pencil Pro and AI tools, or you crave that 13-inch display.
For everyone else, the iPad (A16) is the easy, no-brainer pick.
-
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.