iPad A16 (11th gen) vs iPad 10th gen (2022): Differences explained

By Preslav Kateliev

Published: Mar 04, 2025, 12:18 PM

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iPad A16 (11th gen) vs iPad 10th gen (2022): Differences explained

Intro

It's been two and a half years since Apple launched the last entry-level iPad, the 10th generation, but now we are finally getting a long overdue update.

Apple calls it the iPad (A16) in a departure from using generational numbers, but you may still see people refer to this new model as the iPad (11th gen) or iPad (2025) version.

So what's new? Well, thankfully, not the price, which stays the same at $350, but you do get a faster A16 chip, plus double the storage with 128 GB.

Unsurprisingly, the premium features like ProMotion or OLED displays are nowhere to be found on this updated entry-level model. However, we were surprised that it does not support Apple Intelligence.

iPad (A16, 2025) vs iPad (10th gen, 2022) differences:

iPad (A16) 2025	iPad (10th Gen) 2022
A16 processor	A14 processor
Unknown RAM	4 GB RAM
10.9-inch LCD display	Same 10.9" screen
No Apple Intelligence	No Apple Intelligence
128 GB base model	64 GB base model
256 GB, 512 GB models	More expensive 256 GB upgrade No 512 GB model
Unchanged battery life	Battery life: 10 hour video playback

Table of Contents:

Design and Size
Display Differences
Performance
Camera
Audio Quality
Battery and Charging
Specs
Summary

The 11th Gen iPad is finally here! You can now pre-order the 11-inch tablet with 128GB of storage and A16 chip at Amazon. Available starting March 12.

Pre-order at Amazon

Hello me, meet the real me

Apple loves to stick to designs for years at a time, so since the iPad got a facelift in 2022, the new 2025 model does not change. That's actually a good thing — if you happened to have a Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad (2022), it should work with the new model, if you decide to upgrade.

Other than that, we have the same setup with a Touch ID power button, landscape stereo speakers, a selfie camera the ends up on the top frame when in landscape, and USB-C port on the bottom.

In fact, it's very well possible that the two tablets would have the same thickness, so even cases for the 2022 model could fit the 2025 model.

Display Differences

The base iPad still has a non-laminated, 60 Hz LCD screen.

Its colors are not bad, and it supports True Tone and Night Shift, so it can look pleasing to the eyes. It's not great at fighting off light glare, and its oleophobic coating (anti-fingerprint) is pretty weak. Some changes here would have been nice, but alas, there are none.

But, at the very least, it supports the Apple Pencil — the USB-C model that was released in 2023, as well as the old Apple Pencil Gen 1.

Performance and Software

Chips from old iPhones

The one thing you can hold against the base tier iPads is the hardware — they typically ship with Apple A processors that have been on iPhones from years ago. For example, the iPad (2022) has an Apple A14 Bionic inside it — the chip that shipped with the iPhone 12. For the 2025 edition of the iPad we get the A16, which is the chip from the iPhone 14.

That's not bad per se, the A16 Bionic is still a pretty competent chip as any iPhone 14 owner will attest. However, that also means this new iPad does not get access to Apple Intelligence — it seems that Apple's AI needs at least an A17 Pro chip and at least 8 GB RAM.

But, at its heart, an iPad is an iPad, even if it has slower hardware. You should be able to get the core Apple experience with all the apps in the App Store. Video exports will be slower than a Pro, of course, but still possible. But no, you won't get to play the AAA games like Resident Evil and Assassin's Creed that are now coming out for the Apple mobile devices, too.

Camera

FaceTime with a camera that follows you around

When we are talking about cameras on tablets, it's the selfie camera that gets the most use — video calls and maybe the occasional selfie, sure. The main camera takes a back seat and is typically used to scan a document or take a quick photo at your dog sleeping in a cute position.

So... no big changes here. Both the new and old base iPads support Center Stage, which means the camera can follow you around if you move during a call.

We will tell you more about the camera quality in just a week or so when we have the iPads in for testing.

Audio Quality

With two speakers in landscape stereo format, we were happy with the iPad 10th gen sound. A bit honky in the mids, a bit thin on the bass if we are nitpicking. But if you are not comparing it to the meaty sound of an iPad Pro, it's perfectly fine. And iPad 11th gen? Well, again it's almost exactly the same in terms of audio quality.

Battery Life and Charging

10 hours of YouTube binging?

There are no changes in battery life either! Apple estimates 10 hours of video playback and web surfing on the iPad (A16), same as on the iPad (10th gen).

If you only use these tablets mixed in here and there, with the screen often in standby, you can definitely get 2 days of use out of them.

Specs Comparison

We have an in-depth iPad (A16) vs iPad (2022) specs comparison page, but below you can find the short version:

iPad 11th gen	iPad 10th gen
Size: 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm)	Size: 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm)
Weight: 16.83 oz (477.0 g)	Weight: 16.83 oz (477.0 g)
Display: 10.9" LCD 60 Hz	Display: 10.9" LCD 60 Hz
Processor: Apple A16 5 nm	Processor: Apple A14 Bionic 5 nm
*RAM: 4 GB / 128 GB 4 GB / 256 GB 4 GB / 512 GB	4 GB / 64 GB 4 GB / 256 GB
Cameras: 12 MP main 12 MP front ultra-wide with Center Stage	Cameras: 12 MP main 12 MP front ultra-wide with Center Stage
~7,600 mAh*	7,606 mAh
Charging: USB-C 30 W wired	Charging: USB-C 30 W wired

*RAM on the iPad (A16) is unknown, but likely to remain 4 GB.

Summary

If you have an iPad 10th gen, should you jump to upgrade to an iPad (A16)?

You don't need to. The bump in performance you get with an A16 iPad is there, but not significant. If you are craving performance — maybe it's time to consider upgrading to an iPad Air or iPad Pro.

We will have more details over the coming weeks as we test the new iPad in detail, so stay tuned for our final conclusion.

View Full Bio

Preslav, a member of the PhoneArena team since 2014, is a mobile technology enthusiast with a penchant for integrating tech into his hobbies and work. Whether it's writing articles on an iPad Pro, recording band rehearsals with multiple phones, or exploring the potential of mobile gaming through services like GeForce Now and Steam Link, Preslav's approach is hands-on and innovative. His balanced perspective allows him to appreciate both Android and iOS ecosystems, focusing on performance, camera quality, and user experience over brand loyalty.