Short version: the newest base iPad is the iPad (A16), Apple’s 11-inch model from March 2025. It looks almost exactly like the iPad 10th Generation we reviewed before, but it has a faster A16 chip and twice the starting storage. Buy the A16 if you want the current model with room for apps and photos. Save money with a renewed 10th Gen if the iPad is for a kid, the couch or streaming, and 64GB is enough.
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Apple’s entry iPad has always been the “just get this one” tablet: it’s the iPad your parents can figure out and your kids can’t easily break, and it costs a lot less than an iPad Air or Pro. The 10th Generation fixed the old design in 2022. The A16 model keeps that design and upgrades what’s inside. Here’s what actually changed, based on Apple’s specs and owner reviews (we didn’t test these hands-on).
iPad (A16) vs iPad 10th Generation: what changed
| Spec | iPad 10th Gen (2022) | iPad (A16) (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A16 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB | 6GB |
| Starting storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Top storage option | 256GB | 512GB |
| Display | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, 500 nits | 11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, 500 nits |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Cellular SIM | nano-SIM + eSIM | eSIM only |
| Apple Intelligence | No | No |
| Unchanged | Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, 12MP front + back cameras, Touch ID in the top button | Same |
Specs from EveryMac’s iPad (A16) vs 10th Gen comparison, Apple’s iPad 10th Gen tech specs, Apple’s iPad compare page. Checked October 2026.
What matters in real use
- Storage is the big win. 64GB fills up fast once you add a few games, offline Netflix downloads and a photo library. 128GB to start is the upgrade most people will feel.
- Same screen, same body. The “11-inch” label is mostly a rename: the resolution and brightness match the 10th Gen, and many cases are sold to fit both models.
- A bit faster, not a different class. The A16 helps with games and keeps the tablet feeling quick for longer, but neither model runs Apple Intelligence. If you want Apple’s AI features, you need an iPad Air or Pro.
- Cellular buyers: the A16 is eSIM only, so you activate service through your carrier instead of popping in a SIM card.
Design: still the fun iPad
The design is the reason the 10th Gen was a hit, and it carries over unchanged: flat edges, an edge-to-edge screen, no home button, Touch ID in the top button and the front camera on the long side, so you’re centered on video calls when the iPad is in landscape. It still comes in bright colors, which makes it look less like a work device and more like the family’s favorite toy. That’s a compliment.
Performance and everyday use
Streaming, browsing, video calls, homework, comics and casual games are what this iPad is built for, and owner reviews mostly say it handles all of them without drama. Neither model has the laminated screen or 120Hz ProMotion of the pricier iPads, so it’s not the one for serious artists. For drawing, check Apple’s Pencil compatibility for your exact model before you buy, because Apple sells several Pencils and they aren’t interchangeable.
Who should buy which
- Buy the iPad (A16) if this is a main tablet for the next few years, or a gift for someone who downloads a lot.
- Save with the 10th Gen if it’s a kids’ tablet, a kitchen recipe screen or a travel streamer. New stock of the 10th Gen has mostly sold through, but you can still find a renewed iPad 10th Generation on Amazon. Read our guide to Amazon Renewed first.
- Skip both if you want Apple Intelligence or a better screen for drawing. Step up to an iPad Air.
Gift it to: grandparents who want to see the grandkids on FaceTime, a student who needs a note-taking and Netflix machine, or a kid who’s been eyeing your phone a little too often.
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