I've Tested Every Ipad Sold By Apple Right Now - Here's The Model I Recommend Most

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The 11th-generation iPad 11th Generation usually retails for $349.
• The upgraded iPad has double nan guidelines retention arsenic nan erstwhile generation, much RAM, and an upgraded processor successful nan A16 Bionic chip.
• However, it still isn't compatible pinch Apple Intelligence and doesn't support nan Apple Pencil Pro.

It's not each time that a tech elephantine offers a new, improved merchandise for an adjacent aliases lesser value than its erstwhile model. This is moreover much existent now, pinch looming tariff hikes causing uncertainty successful nan tech world. 

Also: 8 reasons why I replaced my Kindle pinch an iPad Mini for reference ebooks

Yet Apple did this very point pinch nan motorboat of nan latest iPad, which is nan 11th procreation of nan iPad guidelines model. This iPad replaces nan three-year-old 10th-generation exemplary but has amended features for a $100 little database value (though discounts and deals effect this). 

Let maine break down nan year-over-year spec upgrades first. The latest iPad has double nan guidelines retention of nan erstwhile generation, pinch options ranging from 128GB up to 512GB. The caller procreation besides has 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB connected nan erstwhile model.

Another notable betterment to nan iPad is nan newer A16 Bionic chip, an Apple silicon processor that is said to beryllium 30% faster than nan A14 chip. On GPU performance, Apple says nan caller iPad is 50% amended astatine graphics rendering than nan erstwhile version.

But overmuch remains nan aforesaid successful nan 11th-generation iPad compared to nan 10th-gen. The Liquid Retina show has nan nonstop solution of 2360 x 1640 and up to 500 nits of brightness, and nan iPad continues to support Wi-Fi 6 for connectivity and peripherals for illustration nan Apple Pencil (1st procreation and USB-C) and nan Magic Keyboard Folio case. 

Those numbers aren't bad per se, but it's safe to opportunity that Apple isn't needfully pushing nan limits successful immoderate respect pinch this year's base-level iPad.

Also: The champion iPads 2025: We've tested each iPad connected nan marketplace - present are nan champion ones

But, arsenic it turns out, keeping things nan aforesaid whitethorn really beryllium nan 11th-gen iPad's biggest strength. As personification pinch a 10th-gen iPad astatine home, I was gladsome to spot that nan caller exemplary fits my Logitech Combo Touch keyboard lawsuit and nan ESR keyboard case, redeeming maine connected accessories and peripherals costs. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

I've been utilizing nan iPad 11th-generation for activity passim nan week, and it performs exceedingly good for connection processing, image editing, and moreover video editing for societal media. I've had nary issues pinch lagging, connectivity, aliases crashing connected it frankincense far. You really person to push this point to get it to break a sweat.

The iPad is besides a awesome intermezo tablet, perfect for playing, streaming, messaging, and societal media. It's nary Tandem OLED show for illustration connected nan iPad Pro, but nan Liquid Retina sheet gets conscionable colorful and crisp capable to supply an enjoyable viewing experience.

As you tin spot from nan modular Geekbench 6 testing, nan caller iPad is simply a clear leader among erstwhile guidelines models and moreover nan latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, which sells for hundreds of dollars much astatine $650. These benchmarking tests measure day-to-day performance, truthful nan higher scores mean you tin expect little lag, faster multitasking, and a high-end gaming capacity from nan latest iPad compared to an older guidelines model. 

This was evident successful my testing, arsenic nan 11th-Gen iPad performed flawlessly during photograph editing and gaming. 

Also: Every iPad exemplary that supports iPadOS 26 (and which ones won't beryllium compatible)

The only important drawbacks of nan caller iPad are that it doesn't support Apple Intelligence, which requires an A17 Bionic spot aliases newer, and, unsurprisingly, it doesn't support nan Apple Pencil Pro, which came retired past year. These incompatibilities aren't a deal-breaker per se, but they're notable for those considering budgeting down to a modular iPad from an Air aliases Pro exemplary and request to beryllium alert of what's missing. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Apple whitethorn beryllium capitalizing connected nan iPad guidelines exemplary being a tablet for casual users, students, and kids, thing for which I don't responsibility nan company. If this is nan case, it makes consciousness for Apple to skip complete immoderate features that would summation its price. The guidelines exemplary iPad is already a awesome tablet each around, sloppy of whether much tin options are available. 

Also: The champion iPad stylus of 2025: Expert tested

The iPad is besides nan best tablet for astir buyers, pinch beardown processing powerfulness and a good-looking display. That is, unless nan purchaser is simply a powerfulness personification looking for a tablet tin of replacing a laptop.

ZDNET's buying advice

At nan clip of writing, you tin bargain an 11th-generation iPad for only $299 (typically $349). That unsocial makes it a amended prime than nan erstwhile generation. If you're wondering which guidelines exemplary iPad is astir worthy nan money, this latest iPad is it. It has upgraded features for a little price, and it is apt each you'll request if you're looking for an mundane tablet. 

The frills and features of nan faster, much powerful iPad Air aliases iPad Pro are attractive, but nan truth is that they're apt excessive for astir people. If you're looking for a tablet to do ray activity connected nan go, edit immoderate short videos, watercourse content, aliases play games, nan iPad guidelines exemplary won't disappoint.

Suppose you're much of a powerfulness personification and intend to usage heavier apps for illustration Final Cut Pro for iPad, for example, to edit longer videos. In that case, I'd urge a higher-end model, for illustration those mentioned above.

Looking for nan adjacent champion product? Get master reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.