iPAD (A16, 11th GEN) WHO NEEDS APPLE INTELLIGENCE?

IT CAN'T RUN APPLE INTELLIGENCE, BUT THE NEW CHEAP iPAD IS EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN ITS POPULAR PREDECESSOR.

- BY STEPHAN WIESEND

There are good reasons why Apple’s cheapest tablets, such as the 9th-gen (fave.co/3xb9FuN) and 10th-gen (fave.co/44VJ5ov) iPads, have been big sellers. In theory, Apple’s standard iPad models are designed primarily for educational institutions, but in reality, they offer everything most users want. Most of the time a basic iPad is completely sufficient.

The last of these standard iPads, which came out in 2022, sold quite well despite its initially high price of $449. (It later dropped to a more palatable $349.) This model was the first in the line to have a more modern design, featuring a USB-C port and a Touch ID sensor in the power button, which brought it closer to the top models. But there were compromises too: Buyers had to make do with an older chip and mediocre features.

With the new 11th-gen iPad model—also known as the iPad (A16)—Apple has again cut corners compared to the iPad Air and Pro. For example, Apple has selected the low-cost A16 chip from the iPhone 15, which does not support Apple Intelligence...but more on that later.

DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY: TRIED AND TESTED

Car reviewers love to discuss “quality feel,” and in a similar way I got an intangible impression of excellence from the iPad. It just feels good. The casing is similar to that of the current iPad Air models, but a little thicker. This is due to the simpler unlaminated display, which takes up more space. The current iPad Pro 11-inch is only 5.3mm thick, whereas the iPad Air is 6.1mm and the iPad (A16) is 7mm. The weight is also slightly higher: This device is 17g heavier than the current 11-inch iPad Air.