Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
iPad Q&A
Published April 30, 2025
All Apple Q&As >> iPad Q&A (Home) | Also see: All iPad Specs
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
What are the major differences between the iPad A16 (11th Gen, 2025) and the iPad (10th Gen, 2022) replaced? Aren't these iPad models basically the same?
There are three iPad 10th Gen models, commonly called the "'iPad 10" by readers, and three iPad A16 models, which replaced the iPad 10.
The iPad 10 models, released in 2022, are the iPad 10 (Wi-Fi Only), iPad 10 (Wi-Fi/Cellular), and iPad 10 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China).
The iPad A16 models, released in 2025, are the iPad A16 - 11th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad A16 - 11th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cell), and iPad A16 - 11th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cell, China).
It is easy to see how someone could look at both lines and think they are the same; they look essentially identical, use the same colors, and Apple even reused the same promo photos for the iPad A16 that the company unveiled with the iPad 10.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 10 & iPad A16)
It is fair to say that these two iPad lines are highly similar, but they are not the same. The iPad A16 basically is the iPad 10 with a faster processor, more RAM, more storage, and modestly improved wireless capabilities, but it also drops the physical Nano SIM and only supports eSIM. There are a wide variety of similarities that are good to understand, too.
External Design & Functionality Differences
All iPad 10 and iPad A16 models share the same housing with rounded corners and flat sides, a black glass front and a choice of blue, pink, silver, or yellow aluminum back. All models weigh around a pound, with the cellular-equipped configurations slightly heavier than the Wi-Fi ones.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 10 & iPad A16 Color Options)
Although Apple increased the marketing size for the iPad A16 to an optimistic 11" from 10.9" for the earlier iPad 10, both the iPad 10 and iPad A16 lines actually use the same screen, which is a glossy 10.86" LED-backlit 2360x1640 "Liquid Retina" display (264 ppi, 500 nits brightness). This display supports True Tone technology and has an "oleophobic" (oil repellent) coating, but it does not have an antireflective coating (1.8% reflectivity), Wide-color (P3) capability, or ProMotion technology.
Both the iPad 10 and iPad A16 are compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) (A3085, MUWA3AM/A), but will work with the original Apple Pencil (A1603, MK0C2AM/A) with an adapter, as well.
The iPad 10 and iPad A16 models also are compatible with the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio (MQDP3LL/A), which includes a 14-key function row and a trackpad and essentially converts the tablets into a basic notebook computer.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad 10/iPad A16 & Magic Keyboard Folio)
Likewise, all iPad 10 and iPad A16 models use the same cameras -- a rear 12 megapixel camera capable of shooting stills, Live Photos, and 4K video and a front, landscape oriented (horizontal) 12 megapixel camera that supports "Center Stage" to automatically pan and zoom to keep subjects in frame and shoots up to 1080p video.
The iPad 10 and iPad A16 models also share the same "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button, USB-C port, accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, ambient light sensor, digital compass, barometer, and iBeacon microlocation functionality.
Internal Differences
The iPad 10 and iPad A16 models share a variety of internal parts, but the performance-specific components and wireless capabilities are quite different.
The iPad 10 models have a 3.0 GHz six-core Apple A14 Bionic CPU with a four-core GPU and 4 GB of RAM. They could be configured with 64 GB or 256 GB of storage.
The iPad A16 models, on the other hand, are powered by a 3.4 GHz five-core Apple A16 CPU with a four-core GPU and 6 GB of RAM. They can be configured with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage.
Both lines support 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), but the iPad 10 supports Bluetooth 5.2 and 21 different 5G bands whereas the iPad A16 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 26 different 5G bands. The iPad 10 supports Nano SIM and eSIM (outside mainland China), whereas the iPad A16 only supports eSIM worldwide.
In benchmark tests, the newer iPad A16 is around 20%-25% faster than the iPad 10 it replaced.
Significant technical details include:
 iPad 10 |
iPad A16 |
|
| Clockspeed: | 3.0 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| CPU Cores: | 6 | 5 |
| GPU Cores: | 4 | 4 |
| CPU Type: | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A16 |
| RAM: | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage: | 64, 256 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax | 802.11ax |
| Bluetooth: | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| 5G Support: | 21 Bands | 26 Bands |
| SIM Support: | Nano/eSIM | Only eSIM |
Remember that you can compare side-by-side technical details and benchmarks for all iPad models with EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature.
Identification Differences
It is essentially impossible to visually differentiate most iPad 10 and iPad A16 models from one another. Additionally, because many iPad models look nearly identical, visual identification is not a good method regardless.
Instead, one of the best ways to externally identify these models is by Model Number. Model numbers are provided in tiny type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad.
As the site has for decades now, EveryiPad.com has meticulously hand documented these identifiers for your convenience:
iPad |
Model No |
These iPad models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iPadOS. For example, the Wi-Fi + Cellular configuration of the iPad A16 in blue with 128 GB of storage is MD7G4LL/A when sold in the United States.
To track down a specific iPad 10 or iPad A16 by a variety of different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.
iPadOS Support Differences
The iPad 10 models first shipped with iPadOS 16.1 (20B82). The iPad 10 models likewise support iPadOS 17, but they do not support the Screen Distance and External Camera for FaceTime features.
The iPad A16 models first shipped with iPadOS 18.3 (22D2067), but unusually for a new product, they do not support every feature. Specifically, they do not support Apple Intelligence (AI). The earlier iPad 10 models also support iPadOS 18, but they do not support Apple Intelligence (AI), either.
Pricing Differences
For the iPad A16, Apple increased the entry-level price point (and capacity) and added a higher-end storage option at a higher price bracket:
| iPad 10: | 64 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Only Price: | US$329 | -- | US$479 | -- |
| Wi-Fi/Cellular Price: | US$459 | -- | US$609 | -- |
| iPad A16: | 64 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Wi-Fi Only Price: | -- | US$349 | US$449 | US$649 |
| Wi-Fi/Cellular Price: | -- | US$499 | US$599 | US$799 |
Of course, on the used market, the iPad 10 models now cost less.
For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.
So, should I buy an iPad 10 or an iPad A16?
Compared to the earlier iPad 10, the iPad A16 provides (1) around 20%-25% more performance, (2) more RAM, (3) higher baseline and the option of more storage, and (4) modestly improved wireless capabilities; welcomed improvements, but not massive ones.
Oddly, neither model supports Apple Intelligence (AI) introduced by iPadOS 18, but because the iPad A16 has a newer CPU and more RAM, it likely (5) also will provide current iPadOS support for a bit longer, as well.
However, for those on a tight budget, the iPad 10 certainly remains quite capable and is well worth consideration, especially with lower prices on the used market. The physical Nano SIM support -- in addition to eSIM -- might be worthwhile to you, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad (new or old alike).
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
<< iPad Q&A (Main) | All Apple Q&As
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.