Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) review

Full review

Apple's entry-level iPad is still the tablet we would recommend to most households. It is simple to use, has the widest choice of tablet apps and games, gets software support for many years, and works neatly with iPhones and Macs. At Apple Ireland it now starts at €519 with 128GB, which puts it in this price bracket.

The 10.86-inch Liquid Retina screen has the same 2360 x 1640 resolution and 500 nits brightness as the 11-inch iPad Air. It refreshes at 60Hz, so it is not as smooth as the 144Hz and 165Hz Android tablets here, and the display is not laminated, so the image sits slightly below the glass. For streaming, reading and homework that rarely matters.

The A16 chip is quick for everyday apps and games. Apple quotes up to 10 hours of web or video, Touch ID is built into the top button, and the front camera sits on the long edge, which makes video calls look natural in landscape. A Wi-Fi + Cellular model with 5G is available from €689.

The limits: it works only with the basic Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Apple's spec page does not list Apple Intelligence support. If you want those features, the iPad Air is the step up.