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Apple iPad (11th Gen)

Apple iPad (11th Gen)

Scored on 17 verified owner verdicts, from 608 comments read across 3 communities
TL;DR
Most owners of the 11th gen iPad (A16) are genuinely happy, repeatedly calling it a great value around $350 that runs smoothly with no lag for everyday browsing, note-taking, and media consumption. Battery life draws consistent praise, and several owners specifically prefer Touch ID over Face ID for its reliability, while upgraders coming from much older iPads (6th or 8th gen) report a satisfying jump in performance. A meaningful minority pushes back on two build compromises: the non-laminated display, which some call cheap-looking compared to laminated screens on pricier iPads, and the lack of support for the newer magnetic-charging Apple Pencil, which limits stylus options. Overall sentiment leans strongly positive, with the screen and pencil-support gaps standing out as the clearest recurring trade-offs at this price tier.

76% of 17 verified owners recommend the Apple iPad (11th Gen), based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

See the problems 3 owners report →

What 17 owners say
608 comments reviewed · scored on the 17 clearest verdicts
76%
Recommend
13 owners
6%
Neutral
1 owners
18%
Don't recommend
3 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
67%
12
Other forums
100%
5
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubeiowner comments
67%
248

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. YouTube is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Strong value for the roughly $350 price point · 5 · 29%
  • Smooth, lag-free performance for everyday browsing and media use · 4 · 24%
  • Touch ID is preferred over Face ID for reliability and ease of use · 4 · 24%
  • Long battery life that owners call better than older iPad models · 3 · 18%
  • Satisfying upgrade experience for owners coming from older iPads like the 6th or 8th gen · 3 · 18%
What owners flag
  • Non-laminated display looks and feels cheaper than laminated screens on pricier iPads · 4 · 24%
  • No support for the newer magnetic/wireless-charging Apple Pencil, limiting stylus options · 3 · 18%
Who it's for
A great fit if
  • Budget buyers wanting an affordable iPad
  • Media, browsing and casual content consumption
  • Students needing a note-taking tablet
  • Upgraders coming from much older iPads
Look elsewhere if
  • Buyers wanting a laminated, higher-refresh screen
  • Artists needing current Apple Pencil support

Synthesized from what Apple iPad (11th Gen) owners say — not a spec sheet.

How buyers rate it elsewhere

Retailers' own star averages, for comparison — separate from our vetted owner-verdict score above.

Top quotes, sourced

608 reviewed · 237 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
YouTube— neutral

This isn’t a bad deal for the price, but if you pay just a little more, you can get an M2 iPad Air

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

I dont get why apple is so scared of just adding both touch and face id

YouTube▲ recommend

Yeah the iPad (A16) is what I use daily and there’s no problems when I use it

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Not laminated display should be enough reasons not to buy this iPad overall

YouTube— neutral

The lack of a laminated display is horrible to me

YouTube▲ recommend

Touch ID is great heck MacBooks don’t even have Face ID

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Not much of an upgrade. Still sticking with my 10th gen.

YouTube— neutral

i use it to draw... it is great if you dont animate

YouTube▲ recommend

there are no real problems with this iPad

YouTube▲ recommend

I purchased the A16 and enjoy it very much

YouTube— neutral

my only "fear" of the Ipad A16 is how futureproof is

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Selling a product without apple inteligence or Apple Pencil pro compatibility isnt the best idea

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

I’ve never had anything without a home button before. This is a nightmare

YouTube▲ recommend

I like the Touch ID so I don’t have to hunch over for it to recognize me

YouTube— neutral

Yes, I am pretty uncomfortable about the Non-Laminated display, Make the iPad too bright and too dim

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

I just wish it has Stage Manager... Even if it's a striped down version 😕 That would be a game changer for the regular iPad!

YouTube— neutral

I wish they removed a rear camera and gave us the pencil included in the package instead.

YouTube▲ recommend

The laminated display is an excellent feature

YouTube▲ recommend

im very happy with that so it works so well and it never lagged its very useful ipad

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Most annoying thing is the missing Back Gesture, every time we have to move our finger completely to the other end of screen to go back.

YouTube— neutral

It's so tiny. But I have to buy one cause I need iOS for a few things.

YouTube▲ recommend

this iPad does everything I want as a consumption device

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

*60 Hz in 2025 💀*

YouTube— neutral

I wish they'ed offer a 12 inch version

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