iPad 11th gen (2025) vs iPad 10th gen (2022): expectations
Intro
The last time we saw the base iPad get a refresh was in 2022. It was a pretty big one, too — the design was finally updated to the new "all screen front", with no home button, and with stereo speakers. It was called the iPad 10th gen and also had a new accessory launched specifically for it — the Magic Keyboard Folio.
Basically, it was the discount iPad Air, or the discount discount (yes, we said it twice) iPad Pro — the design, the keyboard, and Apple Pencil gen 1 support give you access to all the core iPad features, even with some corners cut.
Now, in 2024, we've seen new models of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, and even the iPad mini was silently updated with an A17 Pro chip inside. But the good old $350 iPad is still rocking that Apple A14 Bionic chip from the iPhone 12 era.
This means it won't get to play with the new Apple Intelligence tricks, and it's also becoming harder and harder to recommend as a purchase, since its insides are essentially 4 years old now.
While everyone is expecting a new version of the base iPad, its launch expectations have been pushed for early 2025 — possibly March.
iPad (2025) vs iPad (2022) in a nutshell
- Same shape and size
- Magic Keyboard Folio should work with both models
- A processor upgrade — we expect Apple A16 Bionic on new iPad (2025)
- Two speakers (landscape stereo)
- No upgrades in cameras expected
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Hello me, meet the real me
Apple loves to stick to designs for years at a time, so since the iPad got a facelift in 2022, we don't expect the new 2025 model to change shape. That's actually a good thing — if you happened to have a Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad (2022), it should work with the new model, if you decide to upgrade.
Other than that, we expect the same setup with a Touch ID power button, landscape stereo speakers, a selfie camera the ends up on the top frame when in landscape, and USB C port on the bottom.
In fact, it's very well possible that the two tablets would have the same thickness, so even cases for the 2022 model could fit the 2025 model. Of course, hold up on that one — Apple could surprise us.
Display Differences
The base iPad has the non-laminated, 60 Hz LCD screen. Its colors are not bad, and it supports True Tone and Night Shift, so it can look pleasing to the eyes. It's not great at fighting off light glare, and its oleophobic coating (anti-fingerprint) is pretty weak. We see no indications that Apple plans to change this formula up with the iPad (2025) model.
But, at the very least, it supports the Apple Pencil — the new USB C model that was released in 2023, as well as the old Apple Pencil gen 1. The iPad mini did launch with support for the brand-new Apple Pencil Pro, which now has a squeeze control to quickly change brushes, for example. We wonder if the base iPad will also support that enahced Apple Pencil.
Performance and Software
Chips from old iPhones
The one thing you can hold against the base tier iPads is the hardware — they typically ship with Apple A processors that have been on iPhones from years ago. For example, the iPad (2022) has an Apple A14 Bionic inside it — the chip that shipped with the iPhone 12. For the iPad (2025), we think that might jump to an A16 Bionic, a.k.a. the iPhone 14 chip.
That's not bad per se, the A16 Bionic is still a pretty competent chip as any iPhone 14 owner will attest. However, that would mean that the iPad 11th gen will not get access to Apple Intelligence — it seems that Apple's AI needs at least an A17 Pro chip and at least 8 GB RAM. We doubt the most basic, $350 iPad, will get any of those.
But, at its heart, an iPad is an iPad, even if it has slower hardware. You should be able to get the core Apple experience with all the apps in the App Store. Video exports will be slower than a Pro, of course, but still possible. But no, you won't get to play the AAA games like Resident Evil and Assassin's Creed that are now coming out for the Apple mobile devices, too.
But, at its heart, an iPad is an iPad, even if it has slower hardware. You should be able to get the core Apple experience with all the apps in the App Store. Video exports will be slower than a Pro, of course, but still possible. But no, you won't get to play the AAA games like Resident Evil and Assassin's Creed that are now coming out for the Apple mobile devices, too.
Camera
FaceTime with a camera that follows you around
When we are talking about cameras on tablets, it's the selfie camera that gets the most use — video calls and maybe the occasional selfie, sure. The main camera takes a back seat and is typically used to scan a document or take a quick photo at your dog sleeping in a cute position.
So... the iPad (2022) has a 12 MP selfie camera with an ultra-wide lens that is pretty acceptable. We've attended plenty of virtual meetings with it and it does its job just right. The main camera is also a 12 MP snapper that takes photos in the ballpark of iPhone 12 quality. So, again, pretty serviceable.
We expect the specs and performance of the iPad (2025) to be comparable, maybe slightly improved. We'll take the scientific selfies here once it gets released, no worries!
Audio Quality
Battery Life and Charging
10 hours of YouTube binging?
iPads typically last around 10 hours and Apple seems to be happy with this number. Whenever there's a new processor or new redesign, the slates seem to have just enough battery capacity to stay on for an entire work day. If you only use them mixed in here and there, with the screen often in standby, you can definitely get 2 days of use out of them.
Specs Comparison
The iPad 11th gen will mostly adopt the look and feel of iPad 10th gen. When we have more information about the specs, it will be put in our iPad (2025) vs iPad (2022) specs comparison page. For the time being, we expect something in the ballpark of:
| iPad 11th gen | iPad 10th gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Size, weight | 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm) | 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm) 16.83 oz (477.0 g) |
| Screen | 10.9" LCD 60 Hz | 10.9" LCD 60 Hz |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic* 5 nm | Apple A14 Bionic 5 nm |
| RAM, Storage | 4 GB / 64 GB* 4 GB / 256 GB | 4 GB / 64 GB 4 GB / 256 GB |
| Cameras | 12 MP main 12 MP front ultra-wide with Center Stage | 12 MP main 12 MP front ultra-wide with Center Stage |
| Battery | ~7,600 mAh* | 7,606 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C 30 W wired | USB-C 30 W wired |
*Assumed or rumored specs
Summary
If you have an iPad 10th gen, should you jump to upgrade to an iPad 11 (2025)? You should still be fine with the performance of your old 10th gen. The bump in performance you will get with an A16 Bionic iPad will be noticeable, but not significant. If you are craving performance — maybe it's time to consider upgrading to an iPad Air or iPad Pro.
Of course, we are still in the realm of speculation here. Apple may decide to surprise us and drop a more powerful iPad 11th gen for a price of around $450, while still keeping the 10th gen around for ~$300, as it did back in 2022.
So, all we can do is... stay tuned.
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