iPad 11-inch (A16) Specs: A Guide to Performance & Features

A new iPad launch is always exciting, but it can also be confusing. You might see this model called the iPad 11th generation, iPad 2025, or iPad A16. Names aside, what really matters is what Apple changed this time. 

For years, the base iPad meant slow performance, limited storage, and clear compromises. That has changed. Apple has placed a powerful A16 chip in its most affordable iPad. 

In this guide, we break down the specs, performance, and real-life use so you can decide if this iPad is right for you.

Quick iPad A16 Specs

If you are in a rush, here are the headline numbers you need to know:

• Processor: A16 Bionic Chip (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU).
• RAM: 6GB (This is a huge upgrade from the previous 4GB).
• Storage: Starts at 128GB (Finally goodbye to 64GB).
• Screen: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display (2360 x 1640 resolution).
• Cameras: Landscape Ultra Wide front camera for better Zoom calls.
• Charging: USB-C port (No more Lightning cables).
• Security: Touch ID built into the top power button.
• Best Accessory: Chesona Cloud Series Keyboard Case which turns it into a laptop.

What is the A16 Bionic Chip

Let’s start with the most important upgrade. The chip. The iPad A16 runs on Apple’s A16 Bionic, the same processor used in the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14 Pro. 

That matters because this chip was designed for fast, high-end phones, not budget tablets. Putting it in a base iPad is a big step up in power and speed.

How the A16 Chip Is Built

The A16 is made using a 4-nanometer process. In simple terms, the parts inside the chip are smaller and more efficient, so it runs faster while using less battery.

• 6-Core CPU: It has 2 "Performance" cores for heavy tasks and 4 "Efficiency" cores for background tasks. This balance saves battery life while giving you speed when you need it.
• 5-Core GPU: This handles graphics. It has 50% more memory bandwidth than the older chips, which is great for gaming.
• 16-Core Neural Engine: This is the part of the chip that handles Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

What This Means in Real Life

All those specs matter because they change how the iPad feels day to day.

• Gaming: You can play heavy games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, or Resident Evil Village on high graphics settings. The frame rate will remain smooth, and the iPad won't feel like a frying pan in your hands.
• Video Editing: If you use CapCut or iMovie to edit 4K videos for TikTok or YouTube, the A16 chip enables instant rendering. You won't be waiting around for a loading bar.
• Long-term value: Because the A16 is still very powerful today, this iPad should receive iPadOS updates for around five to six years. That makes it a smart buy if you plan to keep your iPad for a long time.

👉 Related: What Generation is the iPad A16? (Clarifying the Confusion)

RAM: The "Hidden" Upgrade That Matters Most

Apple almost never talks about RAM, but this is one of the most important upgrades in the iPad A16. RAM controls how many apps and tasks your iPad can handle at the same time without slowing down.

RAM Specs:

• Previous iPad (10th Gen): 4GB RAM
• New iPad (A16): 6GB RAM

Why 6GB of RAM Is a Big Deal

Think of RAM like desk space. A bigger desk lets you keep more things open without cleaning up every few minutes.

• Better multitasking: With 4GB of RAM, apps often refresh when you switch between them. With 6GB, apps stay open longer, so you can jump back into a game, document, or app right where you left off.
• Smoother web browsing: If you open many Safari tabs, more RAM means fewer page reloads. Tabs stay active instead of constantly refreshing.
• Ready for future features: New iPadOS updates and AI-powered tools need more memory. The jump to 6GB helps this iPad handle upcoming features better than older base models.

This RAM upgrade makes the iPad A16 feel faster today and more reliable for the next few years. It is one of the biggest reasons this model feels like more than just a basic iPad.

The Display: 10.9-Inch Liquid Retina

There is some confusion about the size. Is it 10 inches? 11 inches? The official spec is a 10.9-inch diagonal screen. Apple marketing often rounds this up to "11-inch" for simplicity in accessory names, but the actual glass measures 10.9 inches.

Display Specs

• Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels.
• Pixel Density: 264 ppi (pixels per inch).
• Brightness: 500 nits.
• Technology: IPS LCD (Liquid Retina).
• True Tone: Included.

The Non-Laminated Screen Explained

We have to be honest about one downside. The iPad A16 screen is non-laminated.

• Laminated Screen (iPad Air/Pro): The glass and the LCD pixels are fused together. It looks like the image is painted right on top of the glass.
• Non-Laminated Screen (iPad A16): There is a tiny air gap between the cover glass and the actual display pixels.

Does it matter? 

For 95% of people watching movies, typing emails, or browsing the web, you will never notice the difference. The screen is sharp, bright, and colorful. However, if you are a digital artist using an Apple Pencil, you might see a tiny bit of "parallax," which is a fancy word for the gap between where your pen tip touches and where the line appears.

Outdoor and Bright Light Use

With 500 nits of brightness, the display works very well indoors. It is clear in classrooms, offices, and at home. 

Outdoors, it is still usable, but direct sunlight can make it harder to see than the iPad Pro, which is much brighter. For most users, this brightness level is sufficient for daily use.

Related: iPad A16 Screen Size: What You Need to Know

Storage: Finally Enough Space

For the last five years, the biggest complaint about the basic iPad was that it started at 64GB. In the modern world, 64GB is nothing. System files take up 15GB, and a few games take up the rest. You would run out of space in a week.

New Storage Options:

• 128GB (Base Model)
• 256GB (Upgrade)

This change is massive. With 128GB, you can:

• You can download around 20 HD movies for offline viewing.
• Large games like Genshin Impact can be installed without worrying about space.
• You can store thousands of photos, videos, and documents directly on the iPad.

If you are choosing between the iPad 10th generation and the iPad A16, the storage upgrade alone is a strong reason to choose the newer model. In 2026, buying a 64GB tablet is risky. Starting at 128GB is the smarter and more future-ready choice.

Unlock Full Potential: The Chesona Cloud Series

We have established that the iPad A16 features a powerful chip, ample RAM, and a high-quality display. It is essentially a laptop trapped in a tablet's body. The only thing missing is a proper keyboard.

Typing on glass is okay for a quick text, but it is terrible for writing essays or emails. You need a physical keyboard. But you also need protection.

Protect your 11th-generation iPad A16 (2025) with the CHESONA Cloud Series Keyboard Case.

We designed this case specifically for the A16 model to solve the three biggest problems users have with tablet cases.

Problem 1: Cases Get Dirty

Most keyboard cases are made of rubber or cheap fabric that attracts dust and coffee stains.

• The Chesona Solution: Stain-Resistant Comfort Surface. No more dirty cases. We used a special SemiSi-tech PU leather that resists stains, smudges, and fingerprints. Did you spill a drop of coffee? Just wipe it clean in seconds. It stays looking premium and feels soft to the touch.

Problem 2: Typing in the Dark

Cheap keyboards are hard to see at night.

• The Chesona Solution: Mute LED-Backlit Key. We know students and professionals often work late. You can illuminate your keys with 7 backlight colors and choose from four adjustable brightness levels. 

Plus, the keys are engineered to be "mute," meaning they don't make that loud clacking sound. You can type in a library without annoying the person next to you.

Problem 3: Raising Your Arm to Touch the Screen

It is tiring to constantly reach up to tap the screen while you are typing.

• The Chesona Solution: Sensitive and Accurate Trackpad. This brings the full laptop experience to your iPad. It supports multi-touch gesture recognition. You can swipe with two fingers to scroll, pinch to zoom, and swipe with three fingers to switch apps. It is smooth, fast, and responsive.

👉 See the difference here: Chesona Cloud Series Keyboard Case for iPad 11 (2025)

Cameras and Audio

People used to laugh at the idea of taking photos with an iPad. While you probably won't use it as your main camera, the specs here are actually very useful for students and office workers.

Rear Camera:

• 12MP Wide camera.
• f/1.8 aperture.
• Records 4K video.
• Best Use: Scanning documents. The high resolution makes it perfect for scanning homework or contracts and turning them into PDFs instantly.

Front Camera (The Webcam):

• 12MP Ultra Wide camera.
• Landscape Orientation: This is a key feature. On older iPads, the camera was on the side, so when you were on a Zoom call in landscape mode, it looked like you were staring off to the side. On the iPad A16, the camera is on the long edge. When you attach your Chesona keyboard, the camera is perfectly centered, just like a laptop.
• Center Stage: The camera automatically pans and zooms to keep you in the frame if you move around your room.

Audio:

• Landscape Stereo Speakers: You get true stereo sound when watching movies horizontally. The sound is surprisingly loud and clear for a thin tablet.
• Dual Microphones: Great for calls and recording voice memos.

Battery Life & Charging

The spec sheet says "10 hours of web surfing on Wi-Fi." In our testing, the A16 chip is very efficient.

• Real World Use: If you are just typing and browsing, you might actually get 11 or 12 hours.
• Gaming Use: If you play 3D games, expect the battery to drain faster, lasting about 4 to 5 hours.

The USB-C Revolution The iPad A16 uses USB-C. This is the same charging port used by Android phones, new iPhones, and most laptops.

• Why this rocks: You only need one cable for everything.
• External Drives: You can plug a USB-C hard drive or thumb drive directly into the iPad to move files.
• External Displays: You can plug the iPad into a monitor (though it simply mirrors the screen rather than extending it).

Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

For wireless connectivity, the iPad A16 is future-proofed.

• Wi-Fi 6: This is the current standard for fast internet. If you have a modern router, your download speeds will be significantly faster than on older iPads.
• Bluetooth 5.3: This is important for accessories. Bluetooth 5.3 uses less power and has a more stable connection. This ensures that your Chesona Keyboard connects instantly every time you wake up the device and doesn't drain your battery while idle.

Cellular Models: If you buy the "Wi-Fi + Cellular" version, it supports 5G. This is great for realtors or travelers who need internet everywhere, but it does cost extra.

Design and Colors

We have a whole separate guide on colors, but briefly, the iPad A16 comes in four distinct aluminum finishes: Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow.

The design features flat edges (similar to the iPad Pro) and removes the Home Button. Instead of Face ID, it uses Touch ID built into the top power button. Many users actually prefer this over Face ID because it is faster to unlock when the iPad is lying flat on a table.

Related: Discover the perfect iPad A16 case for your lifestyle

Conclusion: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

After looking at every single number on the spec sheet, the verdict is clear. The iPad 11-inch (A16) is a fantastic machine that hits the sweet spot between price and performance.

It fixes the biggest issues of the previous generation. The storage bump to 128GB solves the "full storage" anxiety. The RAM bump to 6GB solves the crashing apps issue. The A16 chip ensures this tablet will be fast for years to come.

It isn't a "Pro" model. It doesn't have the fancy 120Hz screen or the M-series chip. But frankly, most people don't need those things. Most people need a reliable, fast, beautiful tablet that can handle work and play. The iPad A16 does exactly that.

Final Advice: If you buy this iPad, treat it like a 2-in-1 computer. Don't let it just be a Netflix screen. Get a good keyboard case, download some productivity apps, and see how much real work you can get done on it.

Ready to upgrade your setup?

• For the Typists: Shop iPad A16 Keyboard Cases
• For the Minimalists: Shop Protective Cases
• For a Pop of Color: Shop Pink Collections
• For Other Models: Shop iPad Pro 12.9 Options

FAQs About iPad 11-inch (A16) Specs

Is the A16 chip better than the M1 chip?

Not exactly. The M1 chip (found in the iPad Air) is more powerful for desktop-class multitasking. However, the A16 is newer and incredibly efficient. For a tablet workflow, the A16 is more than enough power. The M1 is overkill for most people.

How much RAM does the iPad A16 have?

Apple has not officially released detailed RAM specifications for an iPad powered by the A16 chip. If Apple follows its usual pattern, the RAM would likely fall between 6GB and 8GB, depending on the final model and storage option. Apple focuses more on real-world performance than listing RAM numbers. Official confirmation is needed for exact figures.

What generation is an iPad A16?

An iPad with an A16 chip would belong to a newer standard iPad generation beyond the 10th generation lineup. Apple typically updates the chip when moving to a new generation. The exact generation number depends on how Apple names the release. Always check Apple’s product page for the official generation label.

How much RAM does the iPad 11 Gen have?

Apple has not officially confirmed the RAM for the 11th generation standard iPad at this time. Based on past models, it is expected to have at least 6GB of RAM for smooth everyday use. This amount supports browsing, streaming, note-taking, and light multitasking. Final specs may vary by configuration.

What is the price of iPad A16 BBD?

The official price of an iPad A16 in Barbados dollars (BBD) has not been announced. Pricing usually depends on storage size, taxes, and local retailer markups. As a reference, new standard iPads often start in the mid to high BBD range compared to US pricing. Check authorized Apple resellers in Barbados for accurate pricing.

What size screen is the iPad A16?

If Apple follows the current standard iPad design, the iPad A16 would likely feature a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. This size is common for non-Pro iPad models and balances portability with screen space. It works well for school, work, and media use. Screen size will be confirmed once Apple releases official specs.