iPad (A16) Unboxing and Review: Is Apple’s Budget Tablet Worth It in 2025?

Apple’s latest base-model iPad, powered by the A16 chip, hit the shelves in early 2025, and it’s time to see if this budget-friendly tablet lives up to the hype—or if it’s just another incremental update. Marketed simply as “iPad” (no fancy generational tags here), this device promises better performance, doubled base storage, and a slightly refined design. But with a starting price of $399 USD, it’s still a premium option in the tablet world. Does it justify the cost, or should you look elsewhere? In this unboxing and hands-on review, I’ll dive into what’s new, what’s not, and whether this iPad is the right pick for you. Spoiler: it’s a mixed bag, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Let’s unpack it—literally.

Unboxing the iPad (A16): What’s in the Box?

The iPad (A16) arrives in Apple’s signature minimalist packaging. I went with the blue color this time—previous options like silver, pink, and “gold” (which I once regrettably called “yellow” and likened to a tacky car paint) are still available. The box design hasn’t changed much from the 10th-gen iPad: sleek, white, with the tablet embossed on the front. Inside, you’ll find:

• The iPad itself (Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China—though India’s manufacturing share is growing).
• A 20W USB-C charger (thankfully still included).
• A USB-C to USB-C cable.
• A quick-start guide and warranty info (no Apple stickers anymore, RIP).

One quirky change: the back of the iPad no longer has the “iPad” branding, model number, or fine print—just a lone Apple logo. It’s cleaner, sure, but it feels oddly barren compared to older models. Familiarity might be the issue here, as iPhones have rocked this logo-only look for years. Still, it’s a subtle shift that screams “less is more”—or maybe just “less.”

Design and Display: Same Old, Same Old?

At first glance, the iPad (A16) looks identical to its 10th-gen predecessor. It’s still a 10.9-inch slab with slim bezels, a USB-C port, and a Touch ID power button up top. Available in four colors (blue, pink, silver, gold), it’s got that modern iPad vibe—flat edges, lightweight at 1.05 pounds (477g), and a premium aluminum build. But dig deeper, and there are tiny tweaks. Apple lists the diagonal size as 10.9 inches (27.6 cm), yet my ruler shows a hair over 10.8 inches (27.3 cm) corner-to-corner with those rounded edges. The 10th-gen measured closer to 10.7 inches (27.2 cm). A slight size bump? Maybe, but it’s barely noticeable.

The Liquid Retina display—1640×2360 resolution, 264 PPI—remains unchanged. It’s bright (500 nits), colorful (sRGB, not P3), and perfectly fine for casual use. But here’s the kicker: it’s still not fully laminated. Tap it, and you’ll hear that hollow tap-tap-tap sound—a stark contrast to the solid feel of the iPad Air or Pro. The air gap between the glass and panel also means worse glare (6.1% reflectivity vs. 1.69% on the M4 iPad Pro) and a noticeable disconnect when using the Apple Pencil. For writing or drawing, that slight lag between pen tip and input is maddening. Budget Android tablets under $100 often skip this flaw—why can’t Apple, at $399, fix it? No 90Hz refresh rate either, but that’s par for the course in this tier.

Performance: A16 Chip—Cut Down but Capable

The headliner here is the A16 chip, a step up from the A14 Bionic in the 10th-gen iPad. But it’s not the full-fat A16 Bionic from the iPhone 14 Pro—it’s a trimmed-down version with one fewer CPU core (5 vs. 6) and one fewer GPU core (4 vs. 5). Still, it’s paired with 6GB of RAM (up from 4GB) and delivers solid gains. Geekbench 6 scores show:

• Single-Core: ~2,000 (24% better than A14)
• Multi-Core: ~5,200 (21% better than A14)

Compared to the full A16 Bionic, it’s 3% slower in single-core and 11% in multi-core—not a huge gap. GPU performance jumps 15% over the A14, though it lags 18% behind the full A16 and aligns closer to the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13 Pro. For real-world gaming, I ran the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test. The iPad (A16) scored 19% higher peak performance and 25% better sustained performance than the 10th-gen, with minimal throttling. The larger surface area helps dissipate heat better than an iPhone, keeping frame rates stable in titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. AI tasks (like photo editing) are nearly twice as fast as the A14, matching the full A16’s neural engine.

Storage and Pricing: A Win for Value

Apple finally ditched the stingy 64GB base storage—hallelujah! The iPad (A16) starts at 128GB ($399), with 256GB ($549) and a new 512GB ($749) tier. Usable space out of the box is 109.5GB on the 128GB model, thanks to iPadOS 18. Compared to the 10th-gen’s 64GB-to-256GB jump, this feels less predatory. At $399, it’s a better deal than before, especially since the iPad Air and Pro got price hikes in 2025 (Air starts at $599, Pro at $999). Still, $399 isn’t “cheap”—it’s just more reasonable in Apple’s inflated ecosystem.

Cameras and Features: Minor Upgrades

The rear 12MP camera (f/1.8) now supports Smart HDR 4 (up from HDR 3), adding a touch more detail to photos. It shoots 4K video at 60 FPS and slo-mo at 720p/240 FPS—solid for a tablet. The front 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4, 122° FOV) is unchanged, but the True Tone flash option is gone. Why? No clue—the ambient light sensor’s still there. Audio comes from dual stereo speakers (one per side), sounding crisp but quiet compared to the Air’s quad setup. Bluetooth bumps to 5.3 (from 5.2), and cellular models are eSIM-only—no physical SIM slot anymore. Wi-Fi 6 sticks around, skipping the faster 6E standard.

Apple Pencil and Keyboard: A Frustrating Mess

Here’s where the iPad (A16) stumbles hard. It supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and—surprisingly—the 1st-gen Pencil, but not the 2nd-gen or Pro models. The USB-C Pencil magnetically attaches (nice!) but doesn’t charge wirelessly—you flip open a cap and plug in a cable. The 1st-gen uses a Lightning adapter, which is clunky but keeps older stock alive (a nod to schools, maybe?). It’s a bizarre compromise—why not just support the 2nd-gen’s seamless charging?

The Smart Connector on the side limits you to the Magic Keyboard Folio ($249), not the newer Air/Pro Magic Keyboard. At this price, a $249 accessory feels absurd, and the Folio’s hardly worth it. These quirks scream cost-cutting, not user-friendliness.

Battery and Software: Steady as She Goes

The 28.6Wh battery lasts 10-12 hours of mixed use (video, browsing, light editing), matching Apple’s claims. iPadOS 18 adds battery health stats (cycle count, 80% limit option), a nice touch for longevity. Apple Intelligence, hyped in the iPhone 16 series, is absent here—the A16’s neural engine can handle it, but Apple didn’t enable it. A strategic choice to push pricier models? Probably.

Pros and Cons: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Pros:

• A16 chip boosts performance and gaming stability.
• 128GB base storage is a huge upgrade.
• Pricing feels fairer at $399.
• iPadOS 18 is smooth and versatile.

Cons:

• Non-laminated display is a dealbreaker for creatives.
• Apple Pencil support is a mess.
• No major design or feature leaps.
• Still no 90Hz or anti-reflective coating.

Is the iPad (A16) Worth Buying in 2025?

At $399, the iPad (A16) is Apple’s best budget tablet yet—but it’s not flawless. The A16 chip, extra RAM, and storage bump make it a solid pick for casual users—think Netflix, YouTube, or light gaming. The ecosystem and iPadOS are unmatched, and it’s cheaper than rivals like the Galaxy Tab S9 FE ($449) with comparable power. But that non-laminated screen and wonky Pencil support kill it for artists or note-takers. If you can live with the tap-happy display and don’t need a stylus, it’s a steal. Otherwise, save for the iPad Air ($599) or hunt for a 10th-gen deal.

What do you think—deal or dud? Drop your thoughts in the comments! If this review helped, share it with your tech crew. Catch you next time!