The Cheapest iPad: A Smart Buy or a Compromise?
It’s a common narrative in the tech world—skip the entry-level iPad and go straight for the iPad Air. You’ll find this advice plastered across Reddit discussions and tech reviews. But let’s take a step back. For most users, the base iPad is more than sufficient, delivering an impressive experience at a fraction of the cost.
Which iPad Are We Talking About?
The focus here is the 2025 iPad 11, Apple’s latest budget-friendly tablet, starting at $349. Unlike previous base models that struggled with minimal storage, this one starts at 128GB, making it a practical choice for casual users. If you can stretch your budget by an extra $100, upgrading to 256GB is a smart move, especially for those who plan to store a lot of media and apps.
Many view this iPad as a device primarily aimed at schools and educational programs—a direct competitor to Chromebooks. Because of this perception, consumers are often nudged toward the iPad Air, which starts at $599 for the same 128GB storage option.
No doubt, the Air is a fantastic mid-tier tablet with features borrowed from the iPad Pro. But when you break it down, you’re paying nearly double for premium extras that might not be essential to your needs.
💡 The Budget iPad Has Come a Long Way
There was a time when the cheapest iPads came with serious compromises—outdated designs, weaker processors, and minimal storage. But that’s not the case anymore. The iPad 11 is an 11-inch tablet featuring a Liquid Retina display and Apple’s A16 chip (albeit with a slightly reduced GPU). It also includes the Center Stage front camera, ensuring smooth video calls and content creation.
Most importantly, it grants you full access to the Apple ecosystem, which is a massive advantage. You get a suite of powerful free apps like GarageBand, iMovie, and the iWork suite, adding extra value to your purchase.
🎮 Performance That Exceeds Expectations
If you analyze the iPad 11 in isolation, it’s an exceptionally well-rounded tablet. It delivers:
✅ All-day battery life
✅ A vibrant display
✅ Enough power for gaming, video editing, and content creation
Sure, the iPad Air boasts extra horsepower, but Apple wants you to think the base iPad isn’t good enough—it’s a classic upsell strategy. The reality? Most users won’t notice the difference in everyday use.
If you’re not a power user who needs advanced multitasking, high-end gaming, or professional-level content creation, the entry-level iPad is an unbeatable deal. The iPad Air is a “want” rather than a “need” for many users.
🔄 How It Stacks Up Against Android Tablets
Historically, Android tablets have struggled to match the iPad experience. While some high-end models come close, Android as a tablet OS often feels like a stretched-out smartphone experience rather than a purpose-built tablet interface.
Many budget Android tablets suffer from slow processors, weaker displays, and sluggish software optimization. Apple, on the other hand, has mastered the balance between hardware and software, ensuring smooth performance even on its cheapest models.
Sure, there are some decent Android alternatives like the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, which even offers an OLED screen at a lower price. However, in terms of long-term usability, app support, and software experience, iPads remain the undisputed kings of the tablet market.
📱 Apps Run Flawlessly on Apple’s Base iPad
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the base iPad is underpowered—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The A16 chip inside this iPad is the same processor found in flagship iPhones just a couple of years ago.
Unless you’re specifically looking to play console-level games like Resident Evil 8 or Death Stranding, which require an M-Series chip, you won’t run into any performance issues with this iPad. That’s something you can’t confidently say about similarly priced Android tablets.
💰 The Best Value Tablet on the Market?
At $349, the iPad 11 is arguably the best-value tablet money can buy. If you have specific performance needs or a bigger budget, then, by all means, go for the Air or Pro models. But for everyday users, this iPad offers a near-identical experience for nearly half the price.
The only real downside? It lacks Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI-powered features expected to roll out in future devices. But if AI isn’t your top priority, this remains an outstanding tablet that can last you for years.
👉 Bottom line: Don’t let the critics sway you. The cheapest iPad isn’t just a budget option—it’s a fantastic deal that delivers everything most users need.
✔️ No need to overspend on an iPad Air—the base iPad handles nearly all tasks with ease.
✔️ Apple’s most affordable iPad doesn’t compromise on quality, performance, or experience.
✔️ Unlike many budget Android tablets, this iPad offers smooth performance, better longevity, and access to Apple’s premium ecosystem.
