Apple
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
Best for: Streaming, browsing, schoolwork
Maker's list price $449 (128GB, Wi-Fi) · source
Check price at Amazon 3 more stores belowfirst productApple iPad 11-inch (A16) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)Tablets compared: specs, who each suits, and where to buy
Updated 15 October 2026 · Specs from Apple's official pages
Pick the iPad Air if you want the M4 chip, a laminated anti-reflective screen, Apple Pencil Pro support and Apple Intelligence; pick the iPad if you need a capable tablet for streaming, browsing and schoolwork for $300 less.
Apple
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
Best for: Drawing, notes, heavier apps
Maker's list price $749 (128GB, Wi-Fi) · source
Check price at Amazon 3 more stores belowsecond productAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Store links may earn us a commission; it never changes your price.
Specs side by side
Only the specs that matter for this decision, read from each manufacturer's spec page.
SpecApple iPad 11-inch (A16)Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
ChipA16 (5-core CPU, 4-core GPU)M4 (8-core CPU, 9-core GPU)
Display11" Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, 500 nits11" Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640, 500 nits
Laminated / anti-reflective—Fully laminated, anti-reflective, P3
Apple PencilApple Pencil (USB-C), 1st gen via adapterApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C), hover
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
USB-C speedUSB 2 (480Mb/s)USB 3 (10Gb/s)
Apple Intelligence—Yes
BatteryUp to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Weight (Wi-Fi)477 g (1.05 lb)464 g (1.02 lb)
Thickness7 mm (0.28 in)6.1 mm (0.24 in)
Sources: Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) · Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
Where to buy
Stores that sell each one. Prices move daily, so each button opens the store's own page.
StoreiPad 11-inch (A16)iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Store links may earn us a commission; it never changes your price.
Strengths and trade-offs
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
- $449 starting price with 128GB
- Same 11-inch 2360 x 1640 resolution and 500-nit brightness as the 11-inch Air
- Up to 10 hours battery, same rating as the Air
- Spec page does not list a laminated or anti-reflective display
- USB 2 speeds; works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and 1st gen only
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
- M4 chip with 12GB unified memory and Apple Intelligence
- Fully laminated display with anti-reflective coating and P3 wide color
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and hover; USB 3 up to 10Gb/s
- $300 more than the iPad at the same storage
- Battery rating no better than the iPad (up to 10 hours)
How to choose
The questions that decide it, in the order most people should ask them.
What you will do on it
For video, browsing, reading and homework, the A16 iPad covers the basics. The Air's M4 and 12GB memory matter more for editing, large files and Apple Intelligence features.
Pencil and drawing
Artists and note-takers usually prefer the Air: it supports Apple Pencil Pro and hover, and Apple lists its display as fully laminated with an anti-reflective coating.
Storage
The iPad tops out at 512GB; the Air goes to 1TB. If you store video or large projects locally, check how much you need before comparing prices.
Accessories and data transfer
The Air's USB-C runs at up to 10Gb/s versus 480Mb/s on the iPad, which matters when moving camera files or using fast external drives.
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) vs Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) — common questions
Do the iPad and iPad Air 11-inch have the same screen?
Both are 11-inch Liquid Retina displays at 2360 x 1640 and 500 nits. Apple lists the Air's display as fully laminated with an anti-reflective coating and P3 wide color; the iPad spec page does not.
Does the base iPad support Apple Intelligence?
Apple's iPad (A16) spec page does not list Apple Intelligence, while the iPad Air (M4) spec page does.
Which Apple Pencil works with each?
The iPad supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the 1st-generation Pencil via an adapter. The iPad Air supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).
How much do they cost?
On apple.com, the iPad (A16) starts at $449 and the 11-inch iPad Air (M4) starts at $749, both for 128GB Wi-Fi models.