iPad Pro 11 M5 vs Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB
Buy the iPad Pro 11 M5 if you need real laptop-class power, a 120Hz Ultra Retina XDR screen, Thunderbolt, or Apple Pencil Pro support for drawing and editing. Buy the iPad 11-inch A16 if you mainly browse, stream, take notes and make video calls. The gap is large: $1,099.99 at Amazon for the Pro versus $349.00 at Walmart for the A16, both as of November 3, 2026.
Today the Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB costs $750.99 less at its best price.
Ask our shopping agent
iPad Pro 11 M5
Choose the iPad Pro 11 M5 if you edit video, draw with Apple Pencil Pro, run pro apps, or want a 120Hz display and Thunderbolt in a tablet.
- M5 chip and 12GB of memory handle video editing, large files and on-device AI work.
- 120Hz ProMotion Ultra Retina XDR display is far brighter and smoother than the A16 model.
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 for fast drives and external displays.
- Apple Pencil Pro support with hover and squeeze, plus Magic Keyboard option.
- Face ID, four speakers and four studio-quality microphones.
What separates them
| iPad Pro 11 M5 | Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 with Neural Accelerators | Apple A16 |
| Memory | 12GB unified memory (16GB on 1TB and 2TB models) | 8GB |
| Display | 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR, 2420x1668, 10-120Hz ProMotion | 11-inch Liquid Retina, 2360x1640, 60Hz |
| Storage | 256GB to 2TB | 128GB, no larger option listed |
| Ports | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C, no Thunderbolt |
| Stylus | Supports Apple Pencil Pro | Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and first-generation Apple Pencil via adapter |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide with adaptive True Tone flash | 2MP |
Price history
- iPad Pro 11 M5: lowest $1,099.00 on Nov 3 at UCLA Store.
- Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB: lowest $349.00 on Nov 3 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
iPad Pro 11 M5
- University of Alabama Supply StoreNew
In stock
$1,099.00+ $5.99 shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:41 AM - UCLA StoreNew
In stock
$1,099.00+ $8.95 shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:41 AM - PC Richard & SonNew
In stock
$1,128.00Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:41 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.
$1,099.99Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 6:58 PM
Also available at
- The Centre College BookstoreCheck price at The Centre College Bookstore
- Compton College Campus StoreCheck price at Compton College Campus Store
- Dyersburg State CC Bookstore - DyersburgCheck price at Dyersburg State CC Bookstore - Dyersburg
Specs compared
| Spec | iPad Pro 11 M5 | Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 0.98 pound (444 grams) | 16.8 oz |
| Display resolution | 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi | 2360 x 1640 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128 GB Storage, 256 GB Storage, 512 GB Storage |
| Operating System | iPadOS | iOS, iPadOS |
| Color | Silver | Silver |
| Language / Region | English / United States | English / United States |
| Network Connectivity | 5G | 5G |
| Screen Size | 11 in screen | 11 in |
| Battery Life | 10 hours battery | 10 h |
| Rear Camera Resolution |
What reviewers say
iPad Pro 11 M5
Owners and reviewers generally praise the M5 iPad Pro's speed, display and build, calling it the fastest tablet available. Criticism centers on price and on iPadOS not fully using the hardware for laptop-style work.
- Very fast M5 performance in pro apps
- Excellent 120Hz display
- Slim, light design
- Strong accessory ecosystem with Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
- High price, particularly for more storage
- iPadOS limits multitasking versus a Mac
- Accessories add significant cost
- Battery life is average under heavy load
Apple iPad 11-inch, A16, Wi-Fi, 128GB
With a 4.4 out of 5 average across roughly 47,665 ratings, owners largely treat this iPad as a reliable everyday tablet. Praise centers on smooth performance, the screen and battery life; complaints tend to focus on the rear camera and the price of accessories.
Questions and answers
- Is the iPad Pro 11 M5 worth the extra money over the iPad A16?
- Only if you use the power. The Pro's M5 chip, 120Hz XDR display, Thunderbolt and Pencil Pro support matter for editing, drawing and heavy multitasking. For streaming, email and video calls, the A16 model does the job for $349.00 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026.
- Which is better for drawing and note-taking?
- The iPad Pro 11 M5. It supports Apple Pencil Pro with hover and squeeze, and its 120Hz display makes strokes feel smoother. The A16 model works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) but lacks ProMotion and Pencil Pro features.
- Which has better battery life?
- Both are rated at about 10 hours. Real runtime depends on brightness and workload, and the Pro's brighter XDR screen can draw more power at high brightness.
- Can the iPad A16 run the same apps as the iPad Pro?
- Yes, both run iPadOS and use the same App Store. The difference is speed: pro video, 3D and audio apps run far better on the M5 with 12GB of memory than on the A16 with 8GB.
- Which is better for video calls?
- Both have a 12MP front camera with Center Stage. The Pro adds a four-speaker system and studio-quality microphones, so it sounds and looks better in meetings.
- How much storage should I get?
- The A16 model comes with 128GB only. The Pro starts at 256GB and goes to 2TB; pick 512GB or more if you store video projects locally.
