As this year’s WWDC came and went, I think it’s safe to say that what stood out to me the most was iPadOS 26, and with the recent update to the base iPad, I truly believe that the tablet will be an even greater buy with the new features coming to iPadOS 26.
Back in March of this year, Apple introduced the M3 iPad Air and the A16 iPad, which we’re referring the latter to as the “base” iPad. The last update that the latter received was October 2022, which marked the modern redesign for the first time on the base iPad, so it was almost 2.5 years before we got this year’s spec bump. Still, this iPad received several spec improvements over its predecessor including:
- faster A16 chip (vs. A14)
- 6GB of RAM (up from 4GB)
- Bluetooth 5.3 (up from Bluetooth 5.2)
- starts with 128GB of storage (up from 64GB)
- maxes out at 512GB of storage (up from 256GB)
- Smart HDR 4 for photos (vs. Smart HDR 3)
- improved battery health settings such as 80% charge limit, Cycle Count, etc.
On paper, the hardware refresh for this iPad was quite solid; however, there was one limitation that this iPad couldn’t do compared to its higher-end iPad Air/Pro models, and that was Stage Manager. However, with the announcement of iPadOS 26, that will soon change. As previously discussed, Apple is extending Stage Manager to all iPad models that will support iPadOS 26, including the base iPad. That means you’re pretty much getting the latest iPad software features without spending over $600, and that’s before factoring in both an Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Sure you won’t get Apple Intelligence or extended monitor support as on the iPad Air/Pro models, but these features likely won’t matter to users for basic, everyday tasks. So for $349, you’ll be getting an even better computer replacement/alternative without breaking the bank or going into iPad Pro/MacBook-like territory.
What’s even better is that since iPad has always been Apple’s most versatile, portable device, you can hook it up to any keyboard/mouse/trackpad combo, so you don’t have to shell out more cash for the Magic Keyboard Folio, which is priced at $249. Chances are, you can find Bluetooth keyboards/mice for as low as under $100, so around $500, or half the price of a MacBook Air, you’d still get a solid, capable computer setup that allows you to perform the same everyday tasks as you would on a MacBook. The list includes but not limited to web browsing, checking emails, reading news, and watching movies.
What makes this A16 iPad so great for the price is that it can run both Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for iPad, which as Apple’s pro apps that are made specifically for the touch-first interface that iPad is known for. The base iPad already supports Logic Pro since the app requires an iPad model with an A12 chip or newer, but this is first time that the base iPad can run Final Cut Pro since it has enough memory and a chip that’s modern enough to run that app.
With all of these great features, as well as the new features coming to iPadOS 26, will allow Apple to further compete in the education market. As you may know, customers in the education market, including institutions, would choose lower-end computers for budgeting reasons, and Chromebook has been dominating the market these days. Apple has been deeply committed to the education market ever since the early days since the company opened. This latest iPad (A16), along with iPadOS 26, will surely cannibalize sales of the Chromebook since it features a powerful chip that will last many years to come along with free software updates, which is excellent for education institutions. Not to mention that iPadOS has been a robust operating system that excels in simplicity now that iPadOS 26 will give a much more familiar desktop experience with new Windowed apps mode, which will make long-term Mac users feel right at home even for a sub-$400 device. So with the latest improvements in iPadOS 26, the iPad can actually replace a MacBook for most people, and with optional cellular connectivity, something that MacBooks still lack, you can take iPad everywhere while staying connected. One of our writers, David, has been using an M1 iPad Air paired with a Magic Keyboard (review) as his daily driver for years after replacing an aging 2017 MacBook Pro. iPad is such a magical and versatile tool that lets you broaden your creativity; it can be your sketchbook, a travel computer, an ebook reader, a typewriter, a gaming console, or even a portable display – the list is endless.
2024 may be a big year for Apple’s pro-oriented iPads, but with iPadOS 26 and the A16 iPad, this year will surely be the year of the iPad software experience for the rest of us.
