Shop E Store In addition to the new iPad Air, Apple has updated its base model iPad today. The iPad comes with an A16 chip and twice as much storage for the same price of $349.
So Apple’s cheapest iPads now start with 128 GB of storage, with 256 GB and an all-new 512 GB size as an upgrade option. With faster chips and storage doubled, the new iPad is even more valuable than the previous 10th generation iPad.
Compared to the A14 chip of the previous generation iPad (10th generation) the new iPad A16 chip makes it up to 30% faster.
When pouring salt into the wound, Apple says the cheapest iPad is up to 6 times faster than the bestselling Android tablet.
However, the A16 chip is not strong enough to support Apple Intelligence. In other words, Apple’s cheapest iPad misses the flagship AI feature for this generation of tablets.
The iPad continues to support Apple Pencil (USB-C) for drawing and stylus input.
The new iPad starts at $349, while the cellular model starts at $499. For educational buyers, the new iPad will be discounted to $329 or $479 on your mobile phone.
The new iPad is available for pre-order today at the Apple Online Store. The first unit will begin shipping next week on March 12th.
(The official product name is “iPad (A16)”; this is in line with the recent name of all Apple tablets, renamed the iPad and the chips it has installed.)
Also today, Apple announced the new iPad Air with an M3 chip and updated its magic keyboard. The Spring MacBook Air updates will also be announced in the coming days.
