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Deal.ai › Compare

Apple 11-inch iPad (A16) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular

The iPad Air 11-inch (M4) is the better tablet: it has the M-series chip, a fully laminated display, Apple Pencil Pro support, and a newer cellular radio. The iPad A16 is the budget pick, with the same 128GB storage and a slightly larger 11-inch screen but an older A16 chip, a non-laminated display, and no Pencil Pro support. Reviewers and owners praise the Air's screen and speed and call the A16 iPad fine for browsing, video, and light apps.

  • Choose the iPad A16 if you want a simple Apple tablet for streaming, reading, email, and schoolwork and do not need a laminated screen or Pencil Pro.
  • Choose the iPad Air 11-inch if you draw, edit photos or video, or want a tablet that will stay fast for years.

Prices

  • Apple 11-inch iPad (A16): $584.00 at Brunswick Community College Bookstore (last seen Nov 9)
  • Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular: $599.00 at mynavyexchange.com (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the Apple 11-inch iPad (A16) is $15.00 cheaper than the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 11)
Apple
Apple 11-inch iPad A16 Chip Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB

Apple 11-inch iPad (A16)

Apple 11-inch iPad A16 Chip Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB

$584.00at Brunswick Community College BookstoreChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Brunswick Community College Bookstore
Pros
  • Lower entry point into a current iPad
  • Large 11-inch screen for video and reading
  • 128GB storage and cellular in one model
  • Long battery life for light use
Cons
  • Non-laminated screen looks less sharp
  • No Apple Pencil Pro support
  • A16 chip is older and slower
  • No mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 6E
Apple
Apple iPad Air 11'' Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB

Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular

Apple iPad Air 11'' Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB

$599.00at mynavyexchange.comChecked Nov 11
See all prices and details
Visit mynavyexchange.com
Pros
  • M4 chip handles heavy apps and games
  • Laminated display with wide color and anti-reflective coating
  • Apple Pencil Pro support for drawing and notes
  • Faster USB-C and Wi-Fi 6E
Cons
  • Costs more than the base iPad
  • Overkill for basic browsing and video
  • Accessories add to the total

What separates them

Apple 11-inch iPad (A16)Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular
ChipA16 chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPUM4 chip, much faster CPU and GPU
Display11-inch LCD, 500 nits, non-laminated11-inch Liquid Retina, fully laminated, P3 wide color, anti-reflective
Apple PencilWorks with Apple Pencil (USB-C) onlyWorks with Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C
CellularWi-Fi 6, sub-6GHz 5GWi-Fi 6E, 5G with mmWave
Cameras12MP rear, 12MP landscape front12MP rear, 12MP landscape front with Center Stage
PortsUSB-C, slower data transferUSB-C with faster data transfer
WeightAbout 481g cellularAbout 465g cellular
AccessoriesWorks with older Magic Keyboard FolioWorks with new Magic Keyboard and Folio

Price history

  • Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular: lowest $599.00 on Nov 11 at mynavyexchange.com.

Prices at every store

Apple 11-inch iPad (A16)

  • Franklin Pierce University BookstoreNew

    In stock

    $584.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Franklin Pierce University Bookstore
  • Vance Granville Community College BookstoreNew

    In stock

    $584.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Vance Granville Community College Bookstore
  • Cleveland State Community College BookstoreNew

    In stock

    $584.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Cleveland State Community College Bookstore
  • Brunswick Community College BookstoreNew

    Availability unknown

    $584.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Brunswick Community College Bookstore
All 6 stores and price history →

Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular

  • mynavyexchange.comNew

    In stock

    $599.00Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit mynavyexchange.com
  • ExpercomNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $719.00Checked Nov 11
    Visit Expercom
  • Sam's ClubNew

    In stock

    $724.90+ $144.00 shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit Sam's Club
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $649.99Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple 11-inch iPad (A16)Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular
Height248.6 mm (9.79 inches)247.6mm
Width179.5 mm (7.07 inches)178.5mm
Depth7 mm (0.28 inch)6.1mm
Display resolution2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 ppi1334 x 750 pixels
ChipA16 chipApple M4 chip
Rear camera12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture
Year introduced2025—
Capacity128GB—
Brightness500 nits—
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO—
BluetoothBluetooth® 5.3—
OS Version—iOS 8
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple 11-inch iPad (A16)Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular
Battery Type—Lithium ion
Wireless Connectivity—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Wireless Protocols—Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Display Size—4.7"
LCD Technology—IPS technology
Ports And Interfaces—Lightning, Headset jack - mini-phone 3.5 mm
Wireless Communications—NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Technology—4G LTE
Cellular Protocols—WCDMA (UMTS), DC-HSDPA, EDGE, GPRS, GSM

What reviewers say

Apple 11-inch iPad (A16)

Owners of the A16 iPad describe it as a solid everyday tablet that does the basics well without flagship extras. Most praise the screen, battery life and smooth performance for school and streaming, while some wish the display were laminated and the chip newer.

What people mention
  • DisplayMixedOwners find the screen sharp and bright but notice it is not laminated, which makes it feel less premium than the Air.
  • PerformancePraisedThe A16 chip keeps everyday apps, browsing and streaming running smoothly.
  • BatteryPraisedReviewers report it lasting a full day of classes and video without charging.
  • Refresh rateCriticisedSome users find the 60Hz panel less fluid than the ProMotion screens on pricier iPads.

Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Cellular

Owners and reviewers praise the M4 speed, light build and reliable battery, and call it the sensible middle of Apple's tablet line. Criticism centers on the standard 60Hz screen and the extra cost of cellular and accessories.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip keeps apps and split-screen multitasking smooth.
  • DisplayMixedReviewers like the bright LCD but note the 60Hz refresh rate feels less fluid than the Pro.
  • BatteryPraisedUsers report a full day of mixed work and streaming on one charge.
  • CellularMixedBuyers value staying connected on the go but dislike needing a separate data plan.

Questions and answers

Which is better for drawing and note-taking?
The iPad Air. It supports Apple Pencil Pro, which adds squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback, and its laminated screen reduces the gap between pencil tip and image. The iPad A16 only takes the USB-C Pencil.
Is the iPad Air worth stepping up to over the iPad A16?
Yes if you multitask, edit video, or draw. The M4 chip and laminated screen are clear upgrades. If you mostly stream and browse, the A16 iPad covers that well.
Which lasts longer?
The iPad Air should stay fast longer because of its M4 chip and more RAM. Both get iPadOS updates for years, but the Air has more headroom for future apps.
Do both have cellular?
Yes. Both are Wi-Fi + Cellular with 128GB. The Air adds Wi-Fi 6E and mmWave 5G; the A16 iPad has Wi-Fi 6 and sub-6GHz 5G.
Which is better for watching video?
The iPad Air. Its laminated display has wide color and an anti-reflective coating, and it is slightly lighter. The A16 iPad's 500-nit screen is fine indoors but reflects more.
Do they use the same keyboard?
No. The iPad Air uses the new Magic Keyboard and Folio made for the 11-inch Air. The iPad A16 uses the Magic Keyboard Folio designed for the base iPad.

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More comparisons

  • Apple iPad 10.9" A14, WiFi + Cellular, 64GB, 10th Generation vs Apple 11-inch iPad A16 Chip Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB
  • Apple iPad 10.9" A14, WiFi + Cellular, 64GB, 10th Generation vs Apple iPad Air 11'' Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB
Navigation Receiver—GLONASS, A-GPS
Wireless Display Technology—AirPlay wireless streaming
Input Type—Multi-touch
Processor Brand—Apple
Processor Chipset—M8 motion coprocessor
Processor Chipset Features—64-bit desktop-class architecture
64-Bit Computing—Yes
Front Camera Resolution—1.2 Megapixel
Rear Camera Resolution—8 Megapixel
Camera Light Source—LED light
Camera Sensor Type—BSI
Biometric Security—Fingerprint reader
Security Passwords—Fingerprint
Storage capacity—128GB
Weight (Wi-Fi)—464g
Weight (Wi-Fi + Cellular)—465g
Screen resolution—2360x1640-pixel resolution at 264 ppi
Screen brightness—500 nits brightness
Unified memory—12GB unified memory