Apple has recently introduced a significant upgrade to its base iPad model. Along with the unveiling of the new iPad Air, the tech giant quietly announced that the standard iPad would now feature twice the starting storage and an upgraded A16 chip. This notable enhancement is expected to provide iPad users with a considerable increase in performance, speed, and battery life. Apple estimates a performance increase of about 30% compared to the previous model with the A13 Bionic chip.
However, these enhancements do come with a notable omission – the lack of Apple Intelligence. This is somewhat surprising, given that much of Apple’s recent marketing has focused on the integration of AI. The reason for this absence is pretty straightforward: the A16 chip only packs 6GB of RAM, falling short of the 8GB requirement for Apple Intelligence.
This exclusion of Apple Intelligence, especially considering that the A16 chip boasts a more potent Neural Engine than even the M2 chip, seems like a missed chance for Apple. Though, it’s worth noting that not all users may need or want the Apple Intelligence feature.
Another interesting point is that the base iPad continues to be compatible with only the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil (USB-C), despite the second-generation Apple Pencil offering several enticing upgrades.
Even with these feature limitations, the significant speed boost makes the entry-level iPad more attractive than ever. Users looking for improved productivity will enjoy faster response times and enhanced performance, while mobile gamers can expect consistent frame rates due to the improved hardware.
The upgraded iPad retains its original price, making it an even more enticing value proposition and a strong competitor to Android tablets in a similar price range. This value for money has led many educational institutions to purchase these entry-level iPads for student use. This is not the first time Apple has targeted the education sector; back in 2018, they launched the 9.7-inch iPad specifically for students.
Whether you’re a student or simply looking for a budget-friendly tablet, the improved iPad offers an even better choice than before.
