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iPad 10 vs. iPad 11 Buyer's Guide: 10+ Differences Compared

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Apple recently unveiled the 11th-generation iPad, introducing several small upgrades that enhance its popular predecessor. Here's everything that's new.

iPad-A16-Colors.jpg

Arriving two and a half years after the previous model, the new iPad offers a modest spec bump, with no changes to design, cameras, or display technology. The new entry-level iPad continues to start at $349, but with double the base storage of its predecessor. All of the differences between the 10th- and 11th-generation iPad models are listed below:

iPad (10th generation)iPad (11th generation)
A14 Bionic chip (introduced with iPhone 12 in 2020, made with TSMC's first 5nm N5 process)A16 chip (introduced with iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, made with TSMC's 4nm N4P process)
6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)5-core CPU (2 performance cores and 3 efficiency cores)
11.8 billion transistors16 billion transistors
3.0 GHz CPU clock speed3.46 GHz CPU clock speed
16-core Neural Engine with performance of 11 trillion operations per second16-core Neural Engine with performance of 17 trillion operations per second
4GB of memory6GB of memory
Display Engine
Bluetooth 5.2 connectivityBluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Cellular models support nano-SIM and eSIMCellular models support eSIM only
Smart HDR 3Smart HDR 4
64GB or 256GB storage128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
Introduced in October 2022Introduced in March 2025


With an A16 chip and 6GB of memory, the new iPad is markedly more powerful than its predecessor. With one less CPU core, it may be marginally less capable at multi-core tasks, but overall performance will be considerably better thanks to higher clock speeds, a newer fabrication process, improved efficiency, and additional memory.

However, neither the 10th- nor 11th-generation iPads support Apple Intelligence. The cheapest iPad that does support Apple's suite of AI features is the iPad mini, which starts at $499.

It is likely not worth upgrading from the 10th-generation iPad to the new model unless you specifically need more than 256GB of storage or a higher level of performance. Even so, these customers may be better off buying an iPad Air.

While the previous iPad remains capable for simple tasks like media consumption, browsing, and light productivity, its A14 chip is now five years old. Since the entry-level iPad is already a relatively inexpensive device compared to other Apple products, it is likely worth opting for the newer model, especially if you plan to keep it for several years.

Ultimately, the 11th-generation iPad is a moderate refresh of Apple's cheapest tablet, aimed primarily at those with a ninth-generation iPad, fourth-generation iPad Air, or older, as well as anyone who doesn't currently own an iPad.

Article Link: iPad 10 vs. iPad 11 Buyer's Guide: 10+ Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ipad-10-vs-ipad-11/
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Slash787 said:
They should have put A17 or A18 in the iPad 11
Click to expand...
Like seriously, look at the price. Also, people who buy this iPad won't even notice the speed difference between the 2 or RAM difference if it had been the A18.

This is btw also an iPad that sells in bulk. Companies and schools order truckloads and so a 30-50€ price increase can make the difference between choosing the iPad or another brand.

This iPad is an incredbly good deal and I think the A16 chip in it is more than enough to satisfy the needs of the people who buy it. Apple Intelligence is not worth the 30-50€ price increase for an A18 chip. I bet Apple is planning for the 12th gen to get Apple Intelligence through the A18. Let's say that's planned for 2027, Apple Intelligence should be useful by then.
 
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Astuces iOS said:
Um the introduction date isn’t an important fact I think. It only can help to predict the next iPad but not to compare two of them.
Click to expand...
Ironically, the date comparison makes me laugh because the iPad 11 has nothing in it that couldn't have come out in 2023 or 2024....the long gap between releases is wild compared to all previous releases.
 
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Mr Todhunter said:
what is this Display Engine?
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A16 was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro which had the display controller branded as the Display Engine to manage the 1-120hz adjustments and always-on-display.

None of those extra features apply to the iPad 11, but it's still on chip the same way the M4 Macs have the same display controller that drives the iPad Pro's TandemOLED setup.
 
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svish said:
More RAM and increased base storage is very good. Happy to see the same bright colours retained. The base iPad will be a very good iPad for many.
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Good iPad… but definitely not a good upgrade from iPad 10, iPad Air 4 or iPad mini 6…

I am mad you cannot go from the air to normal iPad like before… here is an example: you buy the iPad Air 3 in 2019… the iPad 10 would be a good upgrade… now with the iPad Air 4… upgrading to this iPad isn’t a big deal…
 
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Mr Todhunter said:
what is this Display Engine?
Click to expand...

There is a Display Engine in A14 also ( it is what is getting you 'DisplayPort output'). If look at the tech specs .

10th Gen
"...

Display Support​

  • Supports full native resolution on the built‑in display at millions of colors
  • Supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 30Hz or 1080p resolution at 60Hz
  • Digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, and DVI output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Video mirroring

  • Up to 4K AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay‑enabled smart TV
  • Video mirroring and video out support through USB‑C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and USB‑C VGA Multiport Adapter (adapters sold separately)
..."

iPad (10th generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

iPad (10th generation) - Tech Specs
support.apple.com support.apple.com


11th Gen
"...
Display Support
Supports full native resolution on the built‑in display at millions of colors
  • Supports one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
Digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, and DVI output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Video mirroring
  • Up to 4K AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay‑enabled smart TV
  • Video mirroring and video out support through USB‑C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and USB‑C VGA Multiport Adapter (adapters sold separately)
..."
https://www.apple.com/ipad-11/specs/ ( currently. In future, when released, there should be a support webpage also. Kind of ridiculous since the 'marketing' version is already out. )

The difference largely boils down to the 11th Gen doing 4K at 60Hz. The 10th cannot. ( it can do 4K but only under 30Hz). the 11th is better at driving at 4K external monitor if what to use it that way.

Apple started to talk about "Display Engine" in A-series when it got more creditable to drive a modern external monitor with one. There always was a "display Engine" in A-series to drive the internal iPhone/iPad screen.


P.S. This really doesn't get you "Stage Manager" support so can have an external desktop. More it is so that you can drive mirrored video out to a bigger screen ( e.g., play movie on TV screen via attached cord. No AppleTV needed. )
 
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Would have liked to see a new colour added to the lineup. A bold emerald green would have worked well (particularly in the second half of the year with around the release of Wicked Part II).
 
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I'm actually thinking of buying a new iPad 10 as they are being sold off on Amazon and elsewhere, and pocketing the hundred bucks or so. This would be to upgrade a relative's 2018 iPad mini. She only uses it for some simple games and FaceTime calls.
 
Astuces iOS said:
I am mad you cannot go from the air to normal iPad like before… here is an example: you buy the iPad Air 3 in 2019… the iPad 10 would be a good upgrade… now with the iPad Air 4… upgrading to this iPad isn’t a big deal…
Click to expand...
You could say the same for the iPad Air 3 to the iPad 9th gen. They were the same housing. The Air was also a replacement for the regular iPad for a few years (iPad 5th came in 2017) not a separate product tier. Since then, tiers have been divided as regular, air/mini, pro. All to say, the iPad Air 4 was a higher tier than the regular iPad at the time, so of course it has more going on than the 10th gen.
 
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BelgianChoklit said:
Like seriously, look at the price. Also, people who buy this iPad won't even notice the speed difference between the 2 or RAM difference if it had been the A18.

This is btw also an iPad that sells in bulk. Companies and schools order truckloads and so a 30-50€ price increase can make the difference between choosing the iPad or another brand.

This iPad is an incredbly good deal and I think the A16 chip in it is more than enough to satisfy the needs of the people who buy it. Apple Intelligence is not worth the 30-50€ price increase for an A18 chip. I bet Apple is planning for the 12th gen to get Apple Intelligence through the A18. Let's say that's planned for 2027, Apple Intelligence should be useful by then.
Click to expand...
That sounds awfully close to planned obsolescence when the two year old purchase, still relatively new, isn’t capable of running a key/useful feature.

So it’ll be in the iPad 11’s owners best interests if Apple Intelligence stays dumb so they’re not missing much nor compelled to get an Apple Intelligence capable device.
 
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mansplains said:
You could say the same for the iPad Air 3 to the iPad 9th gen. They were the same housing. The Air was also a replacement for the regular iPad for a few years (iPad 5th came in 2017) not a separate product tier. Since then, tiers have been divided as regular, air/mini, pro. All to say, the iPad Air 4 was a higher tier than the regular iPad at the time, so of course it has more going on than the 10th gen.
Click to expand...
Nope since we are comparing 3+ years old… the air 3 was released in 2019 and the iPad 9 in 2021 so around 2.5 years exactly… so 3.5 with the 10 gen… if we compare air 4 with this new A16… then it’s like 4.5 years
 
BelgianChoklit said:
Like seriously, look at the price. Also, people who buy this iPad won't even notice the speed difference between the 2 or RAM difference if it had been the A18.
Click to expand...
Yep, most users who would actually buy this (as opposed to just min/maxing specs on forums) wouldn't notice that speed difference. The big win here is the upgrade from 64GB to 128GB for the base model.
 
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I think a comparison to 9th is also needed - I'm currently upgrading my daughters 9th gen iPad to this

iPad (9th generation)iPad (11th generation)
A13 Bionic chip (introduced with iPhone 11 in 2019, made with TSMC's first 5nm N7P process)A16 chip (introduced with iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, made with TSMC's 4nm N4P process)
6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)5-core CPU (2 performance cores and 3 efficiency cores)
8.5 billion transistors16 billion transistors
2.65 GHz CPU clock speed3.46 GHz CPU clock speed
8-core Neural Engine with performance of 5 trillion operations per second16-core Neural Engine with performance of 17 trillion operations per second
3GB of memory6GB of memory
Display Engine
Bluetooth 4.2 connectivityBluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Wi-Fi 5 (ac)Wi-Fi 6 (ax)
Cellular models support nano-SIM and eSIMCellular models support eSIM only
HDRSmart HDR 4
64GB or 256GB storage128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
Introduced in September 2021Introduced in March 2025
 
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baconcat_8964 said:
iPad 10 is a weird product. It gets new design and similar performance to iPad Air 4, but price raised. So Apple had to keep selling iPad 9 as the "real" entry level iPad. iPad 11 is what iPad 10 should be back in October 2022.
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iPad 9 is similar to the iPad Air 3 (a bit better), iPad 10 is similar to the iPad Air 4 but the iPad A16 is not similar to the iPad Air 5... iPad Air 5 has stage manager, external display support, apple intelligence, better performances and better display against only 128gb of base storage... I am angry ^^^
 
Astuces iOS said:
iPad 9 is similar to the iPad Air 3 (a bit better), iPad 10 is similar to the iPad Air 4 but the iPad A16 is not similar to the iPad Air 5... iPad Air 5 has stage manager, external display support, apple intelligence, better performances and better display against only 128gb of base storage... I am angry ^^^
Click to expand...
In 2022, I was holding an iPad 7 and waiting for iPad 10. By the time I saw the specs of it, I went to bought a refurbished iPad Air 4.
 
baconcat_8964 said:
In 2022, I was holding an iPad 7 and waiting for iPad 10. By the time I saw the specs of it, I went to bought a refurbished iPad Air 4.
Click to expand...
That’s ok they are similar… now people might get m1 iPad Air (I suggest 256gb) refurbished!
 
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