Alongside the new iPad Air, Apple also refreshed the base model iPad today. The iPad now comes with an A16 chip, and twice the storage, for the same $349 price.
That means Apple’s cheapest iPad now starts at 128 GB storage, with 256 GB and an all-new 512 GB size as upgrade options. With a faster chip and twice the storage, the new iPad is even better value for money than the prior 10th generation iPad.
Compared with the A14 chip in the previous-generation iPad (10th-generation), the A16 chip in the new iPad makes it up to 30 percent faster.
Pouring salt in the wounds, Apple says its cheapest iPad is even up to six times faster than the best-selling Android tablet.
However, the A16 chip is not powerful enough to support Apple Intelligence. That means Apple’s cheapest iPad will miss out on its flagship A.I. features for this generation of tablet.
The iPad continues to support Apple Pencil (USB-C) for drawing and stylus input, and the same Magic Keyboard Folio accessory for easier typing.
The new iPad starts at $349, with cellular models starting at $499. For education buyers, the new iPad is discounted to $329, or $479 with cellular.
The new iPad is available to pre-order today at the Apple Online Store. The first units start shipping next week, on March 12.
(The product’s official name is ‘iPad (A16)’, in line with Apple’s recent renaming of all of its tablets with the name composed of iPad and the chip it is powered by.)
Also today, Apple unveiled a new iPad Air with M3 chip and updated Magic Keyboard. A spring MacBook Air refresh is also expected to be announced in the coming days.
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