Apple updates the baseline iPad with a new chip and double the storage
Apple’s just-updated cheapest iPad bring better performance and twice the storage for the same price, an easy recommendation!
The baseline iPad has long been a favorite of those that want a larger screen without all of the processing power, features and added cost that comes with the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Perfect for streaming movies and TV shows on the couch or in bed. With a new chip and more storage, the iPad remains an easy recommendation as the cheapest new iPad.
The A16 chip replaces the A14 chip in October 2022’s 10th generation iPad. The A16 is a slightly less powerful version of the chip in Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15 and 15 Plus. This new processor is nearly 30% faster than the previous generation, up to 50% improved in overall performance compared to iPad with A13 Bionic and up to a whopping 6x faster than the best-selling Android tablet. This upgrade comes without an impact on the battery performance.
Apple announced Apple Intelligence, their generative-AI features, in June last year. All new products since the announcement have ensured support for Apple Intelligence, however interestingly this chip is one generation too old. That being said, it’s not a huge loss, as many are struggling to find real-world benefits of Apple Intelligence and many features are still yet to materialize. Plus, Apple Intelligence may not even have a big impact on what is largely a video streaming-first device like this, as opposed to productivity machines, like the iPad Air and Pro.
With this update, at no additional cost, Apple doubled the starting storage, in-line with all iPhones. This iPad is now available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
All other features are the same as the previous generation, including the form-factor, features, price, finishes and iPadOS.
This is an Amazon affiliate link. We may earn a commission for any sales generated.