Apple Announces New iPads: What You Need to Know About the iPad 11 and iPad Air

Apple’s latest announcement about its new iPad models has generated quite a buzz, following a teaser from CEO Tim Cook. This update introduces two new iPads – the iPad Air, now powered by the powerful M3 chip, and the iPad 11, which remains equipped with the A16 chip. However, there’s a noticeable difference between the two: the iPad 11 lacks support for Apple Intelligence, a feature that has been heavily promoted across Apple’s product lineup. Here’s a closer look at the details and what this means for potential buyers.

iPad 11 and iPad Air: Key Differences

Apple’s new lineup includes two iPads aimed at different user needs. The iPad 11, now running the A16 chip, is considered the entry-level model. This iPad starts at a reasonable $349 and comes with 128GB of storage – double the storage capacity of the previous version. While it boasts impressive speed with a 50% increase in performance over the previous model’s A13 chip, there’s a catch. The iPad 11 does not support Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Intelligence, which includes capabilities like Writing Tools, Genmoji, and enhanced Siri features, requires more processing power than what the A16 chip can provide. The A16 chip, although powerful, only has 6GB of RAM, which is below the 8GB threshold necessary to run these advanced features. This lack of support is significant for those hoping to access the full suite of Apple’s latest software enhancements.

What Undercode Says: A Closer Look at

The decision to exclude Apple Intelligence from the iPad 11 lineup is an interesting one. Apple has been putting a lot of emphasis on its Apple Intelligence ecosystem, and its absence in the entry-level model is surprising. Historically, Apple has limited certain features on lower-tier models, like the Stage Manager feature on previous iPads, but the exclusion of Apple Intelligence feels more pronounced given the company’s recent push for these advanced features.

The A16 chip, first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, brings a significant upgrade in processing power compared to the previous iPad 11’s A13 chip. Despite this, the 6GB of RAM is still a limitation. RAM is a critical factor when it comes to multitasking and running demanding applications, and this shortcoming becomes more apparent as Apple moves toward integrating sophisticated AI-driven functionalities in its devices.

Additionally, the A16 chip in the iPad 11 has a 5-core CPU and a 4-core GPU, a configuration that is less powerful than the version found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 models, which include additional CPU and GPU cores. While this makes the iPad 11 a solid option for basic tasks, it won’t support the full range of features available on higher-end models, such as the iPad Air with the M3 chip or the iPad Mini 7, which supports Apple Intelligence.

From a business perspective, Apple’s strategy makes sense. By offering more powerful features on higher-tier models, Apple encourages consumers to consider upgrading to more expensive iPads if they want access to the latest and most advanced functionalities. The iPad 11 remains an affordable option for casual users who don’t need advanced AI features but still want a fast, reliable device for everyday tasks.

This move also underscores the growing divide between entry-level devices and premium ones within Apple’s ecosystem. While entry-level products like the iPad 11 are more accessible in terms of price, they now come with clear limitations when compared to the more premium iPad Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Mini models. For consumers who need cutting-edge features, Apple’s lineup offers clear incentives to spend more.

Fact Checker Results

The iPad 11 with the A16 chip indeed lacks support for Apple Intelligence features, which require at least 8GB of RAM.
The A16 chip, despite offering significant performance improvements over the A13, has fewer CPU and GPU cores compared to the version in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.
Apple’s strategy of limiting features on entry-level devices is consistent with its past approach of offering higher-end features in more expensive models.

References:

Reported By: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/04/ipad-11-no-apple-intelligence/
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