I know. If you could find it on a good sale, the base model could be had for like 279. Now, you’d be paying 449 for the exact same device. 🤯 Insane.
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Here's When to Expect the iPad 12 to Launch
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Populus
macrumors 604
I thought it was quite unlikely for Apple to put an A19 in the iPad, but if they are delaying it for spring 2027, then I guess it’s more likely… hopefully!
FeliApple
macrumors 603
I have both the M1 Air and the A16 iPad and both are completely fine.
The non-laminated display is a non-issue, imo.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
Completely disagree with your implication.
I use my iPads for content consumption.
I have an A16 iPad. How is it a poor value or inadequate for that?
Luftkopf
macrumors 65816
As much as I want a 13” iPad, it doesn’t look likely that I’ll be able to afford one for a while yet. So my realistic goal will be to afford this one, whenever it actually launches.
I don’t give two hoots about the screen not being laminated, but it would be nice if it did get the A19. Regardless of whether it gets the A18 or A19 though, it’s a massive upgrade from my iPad Air 2.
I don’t give two hoots about the screen not being laminated, but it would be nice if it did get the A19. Regardless of whether it gets the A18 or A19 though, it’s a massive upgrade from my iPad Air 2.
Sure glad I got mine new for $250 back in March. Almost held out due to the “rumored” one, but I have had 4 months of use out of it daily. It’s true when people say, if you need a machine now, buy it.
FeliApple
macrumors 603
How’s your Air 2 faring?
A base iPad, even if just a spec bump, would be a massive upgrade! Like I said, I have the A16 and I really like it.
Luftkopf
macrumors 65816
It does surprisingly well if you stick to old apps. It works well as a music stand with a page turner pedal for when I play bass, or when running the app to run or digital desk. Unfortunately, the engineering docs I need to pull up on it have gotten exponentially larger, and it bogs down, sometimes giving up completely.
I’ve heard the A16 is good. If I’d had the money I’d have got one, so hopefully I can afford the next version!
FeliApple
macrumors 603
I think that it’s great that you can find some use for it! Hopefully even after you upgrade you can continue to use it in some capacity if that’s what you choose.
I have a 9.7-inch iPad Pro (probably my favourite iPad ever), and since it runs iOS 12 there’s a part of my content consumption requirements that just doesn’t work, but enough works so as to make it a good sporadic iPad, so it still sees some use. Battery life is still rather fine barring the loss vs iOS 9 (30%), so it can be used for about 10.5 hours of light use, perfectly fine. I have certain tasks for it though. For example, web browsing is tough.
The A16 is good so you should have no problem with the 12th-gen. Here’s hoping you can get it!
EugW
macrumors P6
I find the iPad Air 2 quite laggy in many apps with the latest compatible iPadOS, but it does do better with older apps. I upgraded to the A10X iPad Pro with 4 GB RAM way back in 2019 and then to an OLED M4 iPad Pro with 8 GB RAM in 2024. However, my kids still use the iPad Air 2s for video streaming. I was going to get my kids A18 iPads with 8 GB RAM when it comes out but I may hold off. The pricing is quite high now, and for more demanding apps the kids now tend to use their iPhones anyway, an iPhone 16e with A18 and 8 GB RAM, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max with A14 Bionic and 6 GB RAM. The iPhone 16e is fast. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is reasonably fast, and way, way faster than the iPad Air 2, but it's a step down from the iPhone 16e.
Luftkopf
macrumors 65816
Yeah, after I upgrade it will live on as the mobile control surface for the digital desk. It's going to keep being useful until it dies.
M4irmidnight
Suspended
Id hate to lose the thinner bezel as well. Not to mention going to the slower Usb c port, cheaper pencil, 60hz etc
Samplasion
macrumors 6502a
I bought it from a friend for the low price of 270€, (approx. $308) and for that price I think it's a steal. At $449, it loses much of its appeal.
Steves Padawan
macrumors member
i Bought basic A16 year ago for 410€ with tax, 6gb ram isnt enough even for basic use, so 8 will be obsolete soon too
now it is for 489€
now it is for 489€
Happy_John
macrumors 68000
Yep. I still regularly use my iPad mini 4 - it’s running iOS / iPad os 15, but is sluggish, but I use it exclusively as an ebook reader, as the size is perfect for that.
Older tech is absolutely fine if you’re realistic about the use cases for it.
Happy_John
macrumors 68000
I strongly disagree with this, because you really need to add “for my use cases”, or “for me”.
It’s up to users themselves, and their use cases, to say how much memory and o the r minimum specs they need.
Pressuring people to spend more money than they need to, by buying equipment specced higher than their needs, is unfair.
Don’t fearmonger and don’t be an unpaid assistant to Apple’s upselling marketing team.
Luftkopf
macrumors 65816
I’m about to press my old iPhone 8 Plus back into service as a baby monitor. I don’t like the disposable mentality, and Apple makes these things quite well. You can get a lot out of them if you want to.
Certainly not me when you can get the much better Samsung S11 with spen included for €600.
If you don’t use the Apple Pencil sure, the non laminated screen is not an issue. People how use their iPads in a productive manner will notice it though. I can get a Samsung S11 with an amoled, 120Hz display and higher PPI than the iPad Pro for only €600, including s-pen. Why should I spend €600 on a base iPad (with Apple Pencil) with 6GB of ram and an objectively bad (for 2026 standards) display?
Define basic use cases. I have friends with A16 iPads who use them for web browsing, content consumption, banking and bill paying, email, texting, FaceTime calls and wifi phone calls. None are complaining.
Spock
Contributor
If you are in the Apple eco system and don't like the Android tablet experience. But at that price, you might as well get the better iPad Air and I think that is exactly what Apple wants to happen.
The iPad Air M4 is much better than the base iPad but still has a 60hz, 264 PPI LCD screen, which, compared to Samsung’s AMOLED 120Hz 274 PPI screen, feels weak. Also, buying the Apple Pencil Pro would bring the price of the Air to €800, which is a 33% increase in price over the Samsung tablet. Sure Android is crap; it’s ugly and feels cheap and their store has the cringe “Google Play Store” name. But I’m really debating if I shouldn’t just get the Samsung tablet instead of the Air just because I can’t justify the iPad Airs price after the increase.
EugW
macrumors P6
Uh, wut? I agree the price is high now, but the screen is far from “objectively bad”. It’s not subjectively bad either. It’s a good quality screen, much better than average, but doesn’t have the extra features of the Air’s and Pro’s screens.
That’s one reason why historically I’ve recommended the base iPad over Android competitors:
1. Good screen, noticeably better than average Android tablets.
2. Good performance
3. Good apps which are often better maintained and better quality than on the Android side
4. Good integration with Apple’s ecosystem
5. Etc.
And I say this while typing on my M4 iPad Pro with OLED screen.
bodonnell202
macrumors 68030
The implication is not that it is inadequate for content consumption, the implication is that it is too expensive given how old the tech it uses is. Ultimately the biggest thing that makes it a poor value at this point is the short support life someone buying it new today can expect. It could still be a decent value if bought on sale but definitely not at full price.