iPad (A16) Review for Drawing: Watch Out for the Pencil
Quick verdict
The cheapest iPad, and great for notes, school and video. For art, the screen isn't laminated, and the USB-C Pencil it pairs with has no pressure sensitivity.
Buy it if
- You mostly take notes and sketch casually.
- You want the cheapest way into iPad apps.
- You'll buy the 1st-gen Apple Pencil for pressure.
Skip it if
- You're serious about drawing. Get the iPad Air (M4).
- You want to use the USB-C Pencil for art.
- You draw outdoors a lot.
Specs
| Screen | 10.86 in Liquid Retina, not laminated |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 (264 PPI) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Brightness (claimed) | 500 nits |
| Chip | Apple A16 |
| Storage | 128 GB (this listing) |
| OS | iPadOS |
| Pen | Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil (1st gen, with adapter) |
| Pen included | No |
| Weight | 477 g |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lowest-priced iPad.
- Sharp, bright screen.
- Enough power for Procreate at typical sizes.
- Great for school, notes and video.
Cons
- Screen isn't laminated: visible gap and tapping sound.
- No anti-reflective coating.
- USB-C Pencil has no pressure; 1st-gen Pencil needs an adapter.
- 60Hz lag on fast strokes.
Real-world math
The Pencil trap. The newest Pencil it supports, the USB-C one, has no pressure sensitivity. For pressure, you need the older 1st-gen Pencil plus an adapter to charge it. Price the iPad with that Pencil, not the cheaper one.
Drawing space. About 357 square centimeters, the same as the iPad Air 11.
Sharpness. 264 pixels per inch, same as the Air. The difference is the lamination, not the pixels.
Drawing on it
Art Side of Life found the non-laminated screen makes a subtle tapping sound and feels "more like drawing on glass than paper." Without an anti-reflective coating, glare is worse outdoors. At 60Hz, long, fast strokes in Procreate show some lag.
What it does well
Art Side of Life still recommends it for budget beginners, noting it handles around 70 layers at 3000 x 3000 pixels in Procreate. For notes, reading and school, it's excellent value.
How it compares
| Spec | Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) | Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE |
|---|---|---|---|
| My rating | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Screen | 10.86 in Liquid Retina, not laminated | 10.86 in Liquid Retina, laminated, anti-reflective | 10.9 in LCD |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 (264 PPI) | 2360 x 1640 (264 PPI) | - |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (claimed) | 500 nits | 500 nits | - |
| Chip | Apple A16 | Apple M4 | Samsung Exynos 1580 |
| Storage | 128 GB (this listing) | 128 GB (this listing) | 128 GB + microSD, 8 GB RAM |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS | Android, long update support |
| Pen | Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil (1st gen, with adapter) | Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C) | S Pen, no battery |
| Pen included | No | No | Yes |
| Weight | 477 g | 464 g | - |
| Check price | Check price Review | Check price Review |
FAQ
- Which Apple Pencil works with the iPad (A16)?
- The Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Apple Pencil (1st generation) with an adapter. For drawing with pressure, you need the 1st-gen Pencil.
- Does it come with a Pencil?
- No. Apple includes the iPad, a USB-C cable and a 20W adapter.
- Is it laminated?
- No. There's a small air gap between the glass and screen, which you notice when drawing.
- iPad (A16) or iPad Air (M4)?
- For drawing, the Air: laminated, anti-reflective and Pencil Pro support. For notes and video, the A16 saves money.
Bottom line
For notes and everyday use, it's a great value. For art, it's a false economy. The iPad Air (M4) is where iPad drawing really starts.