Today, Apple unveiled an eleven-generation iPad with faster performance via the A16 chip and more storage options than the previous model.
The A16 chip makes iPad 11 about one-third (30 percent) faster than the previous iPad 10 (2022) which uses the A14 Bionic. Compared to the ninth-generation model (2021) powered by the A13 Bionic chip, the iPad 11 is 50 percent faster. Apple also says the device is “up to 6x faster than the best-selling Android tablet.”
The A16 doesn’t enable Apple Intelligence, but people buying a sub-$400 tablet generally won’t care about this, so it’s not a biggie. The new iPad 11 comes in the same color finishes as before (Blue, Pink, Yellow and Silver) and still starts at $350.
You can pre-order the iPad 11 from Apple’s website. The base model has twice the storage (128GB) and a new 512GB capacity. In comparison, the tenth-generation iPad was only offered in 64GB and 256GB configurations. The updated tablet will start shipping and land on store shelves on Wednesday, March 12.
iPad 11 has more storage and no Apple Intelligence
Apple’s press release praises the A16 chip’s performance jump. “Compared to the previous generation, the updated iPad with A16 is nearly 30 percent faster,” it reads. In fact, compared to iPad with A13 Bionic, users will see up to a 50 percent improvement in overall performance, and A16 makes the updated iPad up to 6x faster than the best-selling Android tablet.”
The A16 has an extra CPU core for a total of six versus five cores in the A14 which powers the previous iPad 10, enabling Smart HDR 4 for photos instead of Smart HDR 3. Apple’s Compare iPad Models page reveals that the iPad 11 also has Bluetooth 5.3 instead of 5.2, no physical SIM (eSIM only) and a slightly larger display rounded up to eleven inches versus the 10.9-inch display on its predecessor.
Aside from these differences, there don’t seem to be any other changes from the iPad 10 to 11—even the physical dimensions and weight have remained unchanged. With today’s unveiling, Apple has discontinued the iPad 10, which remains available to purchase from third-party resellers while supplies last.
For further information, visit apple.com/ipad-11. To make comparing all of the features between the current and the previous model easier, peruse the tenth-generation iPad tech specs and iPad 11 tech specs.
Apple has also refreshed the iPad Air with the M3 chip, bringing a 20 percent faster performance than the M2 iPad Air, released in May 2024.
Pricing and availability
You can pre-order your iPad 11 via Apple’s website and the official Apple Store app in the United States and 28 other countries. Shipments and retail availability will start on Wednesday, March 12. The tablet is available in Blue, Pink, Yellow and Silver.
The eleventh-generation iPad starts with double the storage at 128GB for the same $350 as the base 64GB iPad 10. The 256GB version is $450, the same as before. However, Apple has now added a 512GB configuration to the mix, priced at $650. For cellular-enabled models, add $150 to these prices.
For education, the new iPad is $330 for the base Wi-Fi-only model and $480 for the base Wi-Fi + Cellular one. Apple offers the Magic Keyboard Folio for the new iPad for $250 ($229 for education), and it only comes in white. The new iPad is compatible with the original Apple Pencil ($100) and the USB-C Apple Pencil ($80) but not the Apple Pencil Pro ($130) and the second-generation Apple Pencil ($130).