Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue

I spent the past couple of weeks using the iPad 11 as my everyday tablet, swapping it in for reading, note‑taking, video calls, light photo edits, streaming, and a fair bit of web work. It quickly settled into that “just right” zone: more capable than the entry‑level tablets I’ve used, yet far less fussy and costly than premium models.

Design and display

The 11‑inch Liquid Retina panel is the star of the hardware. It’s crisp, color‑accurate, and bright enough for indoor use and most shady outdoor spots. True Tone quietly adjusts the white balance to your environment, and after a day you forget it’s even working—that’s a compliment. This is a 60 Hz display, so you don’t get the ultra‑smooth 120 Hz scrolling of higher‑end models, but for reading, sketching, and video, it’s excellent.

Build quality is exactly what I expect here: tight tolerances, clean lines, and a comfortable flat‑edged frame. The blue finish on my unit looks modern and cheerful without being loud. It’s still glossy, so it will pick up fingerprints, but a simple case makes that a non‑issue.

A quick note on what’s in the box: you get the tablet and a USB‑C charging setup. Accessories like a case, keyboard folio, or stylus are optional add‑ons.

Performance

The A16 chip gives this iPad a meaningful performance bump. In day‑to‑day use, it’s snappy and stays that way—even with multiple apps in Split View, a couple of video streams running, and photo edits in the background. Games load fast and run smoothly, and heavier tasks like editing short 4K clips in mobile apps are very doable. If you’re upgrading from an older base iPad, the difference is immediately noticeable.

Thermals are well‑managed. I never felt the chassis get more than warm, even when batch‑exporting photos or jumping between a dozen browser tabs and a design app. That steadiness matters if you plan to use it for creative work or long study sessions.

iPadOS and everyday workflow

iPadOS remains mature and approachable. Multitasking is easier than it used to be: Split View and Slide Over are reliable, drag‑and‑drop between apps works as advertised, and the Files app is good enough for everyday organization. Scribble with Apple Pencil is a highlight—I often jot quick notes directly into text fields and let the system convert handwriting to text.

The app ecosystem still differentiates iPad from most tablets. Between pro‑level note‑taking, sketching apps, office suites, music tools, and an ever‑growing set of video editors, it’s easy to tailor the device to your workflow. If you live in Apple’s ecosystem, iCloud sync, Messages, and Keychain make the iPad feel like a natural extension of your phone and laptop.

Pencil and keyboard support

• Stylus: This model supports the USB‑C Apple Pencil as well as the first‑generation Pencil. The USB‑C Pencil is the cleaner experience for me: pair via USB‑C once and you’re set, with low latency, tilt support, and pressure‑sensitive behavior in compatible apps. It also attaches magnetically for storage. If you’re a heavy note‑taker or artist, the drawing experience is fluid and predictable.

• Keyboard: The Magic Keyboard Folio’s two‑piece magnetic design is clever—keyboard when you want it, protective back when you don’t. The trackpad is genuinely useful in iPadOS for precise text selection and UI control. There are lots of third‑party keyboards too if you want to spend less or prefer different key travel.

Both accessories are sold separately, and the costs can stack up. The upside is choice: depending on your workflow, you may only need a stylus, only a keyboard, or neither.

Cameras and audio

The front camera is a 12 MP unit with Center Stage, which reframes to keep you in view during video calls. On my daily stand‑ups and family calls, it did a great job tracking movement without the jitter or delay I’ve seen on cheaper tablets. The rear 12 MP camera is entirely adequate for scanning documents, whiteboards, and the occasional reference photo, and it can shoot 4K video if you need it. You won’t replace your phone camera with it, but you won’t need to reach for another device just to capture a PDF or quick clip.

Speakers are fuller than you’d expect from a thin slab. Dialogue is clear, and music playback has enough body to make casual listening enjoyable. It’s not a small home theater, but it’s very good for shows, YouTube, and background playlists.

Battery life and charging

Battery life comfortably hits a full working day for mixed use—email and browsing, streaming, note‑taking, and a few video calls. On a long stretch of continuous video playback, I was in the 9–10 hour range. That’s consistent and, most importantly, predictable. Charging over USB‑C is straightforward, and with a 20W adapter I typically went from single digits to near full in roughly two hours. As always, heavy gaming or mobile video editing will trim those numbers, but I didn’t feel the need to ration power.

Connectivity and ports

Wi‑Fi 6 was reliably fast on my network for big app downloads and cloud file syncs. The USB‑C port is a welcome standard: I connected USB‑C thumb drives to move media, plugged in a wired mic for voiceover, and used a USB‑C hub for SD card imports without any drama. The move to USB‑C also means fewer cables in my bag if you’re already using modern laptops and phones.

Security and payments

Touch ID in the top button remains convenient and consistent. It worked at odd angles and with slightly damp hands better than I expected. If you’re used to Face ID on other Apple devices, you might miss the automatic unlock, but I quickly adapted. Apple Pay on the web and in apps is a nice perk on a tablet when you’re shopping or checking out for travel.

Storage and configurations

The base 128 GB configuration will suit students, light creators, and anyone who streams more than they download. If you keep lots of offline media, large games, or plan to edit video on‑device, 256 GB (or the 512 GB ceiling) is the safer long‑term choice. Because internal storage isn’t upgradeable, it’s worth thinking through your use case before you buy.

What I’d change

• The display is great, but it’s still 60 Hz. If you’re sensitive to scrolling smoothness or sketching at very high speeds, you’ll notice the difference versus 120 Hz panels.
• Accessories are excellent but add up quickly; there’s no bundled “starter kit.” Budget for at least a case and, if you need it, a stylus or keyboard.
• Touch ID is reliable, but I’d love to see Face ID return to the non‑pro iPad line.
• Wi‑Fi 6 is fast, but not the newer Wi‑Fi 6E/7 you’ll find on some premium devices.

None of these are deal‑breakers for the target audience, but they’re worth noting if you’re comparing across Apple’s lineup or against high‑end tablets.

Who it’s for

• Students who want a capable, portable tablet for notes, research, and media.
• Families looking for a shared device for calls, streaming, and light creation.
• Creators who sketch, annotate PDFs, or edit photos on the go—and don’t need the absolute top‑tier display and CPU.
• Anyone embedded in Apple’s ecosystem who wants a modern iPad without paying for pro features they won’t use.

Power users who rely on 120 Hz displays, advanced external monitor workflows, or desktop‑class multi‑app workloads will be happier stepping up to higher‑end models. For most people, though, this sits in the sweet spot.

The bottom line

The iPad 11 nails the fundamentals: a sharp 11‑inch display, fast A16 performance, strong battery life, quality cameras for calls, and the versatility of iPadOS—all tied together by USB‑C and a healthy accessory ecosystem. It feels fluid and dependable day after day, which is ultimately what I need from a tablet.

Recommendation: I recommend the iPad 11 to anyone who wants a balanced, modern tablet that handles work, school, and entertainment without fuss. It’s powerful enough to grow with you, light enough to carry everywhere, and supported by an app catalog that continues to justify owning an iPad. If you value 120 Hz displays or need pro‑level external display features, there are pricier options. For everyone else, this is the right choice at the right size.