Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip)
Best for Most people
Typically £279–£319
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkApple iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
Best for Students and note-takers
Typically £509–£549
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkQuick comparison
| Feature | Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) | Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Typical price | £279–£319 | £509–£549 |
| Best for | Most people | Students and note-takers |
| Key feature | Full iPad experience at the lowest Apple price | M3 power with Apple Pencil Pro support |
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina | 11-inch Liquid Retina |
| Storage | 128GB base | — |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours (Apple rating) | — |
| Chip | — | Apple M3 |
| Weight | — | 0.5 kg |
| Where to buy | Check Price Paid link | Check Price Paid link |
Main differences
Typical price
Apple iPad 11-inch: £279–£319; Apple iPad: £509–£549.
Best for
Apple iPad 11-inch: most people; Apple iPad: students and note-takers.
Standout
Apple iPad 11-inch: full iPad experience at the lowest Apple price; Apple iPad: m3 power with Apple Pencil Pro support.
Display
Apple iPad 11-inch: 11-inch Liquid Retina; Apple iPad: 11-inch Liquid Retina.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip) if you
- want a fast, well-supported tablet for streaming, reading, homework and video calls
- care most about fast A16 chip
Choose the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3) if you
- take handwritten notes, sketch or edit photos and want a tablet that can stand in for a laptop with a keyboard
- care most about m3 chip with headroom for years
Which specifications matter?
Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best tablets in the uk.
Not sure about either? Consider these
Samsung · Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
Buy it if You use an Android phone and want a big-screen tablet with a stylus included and expandable storage.
- Verdict
- Buy
- Best for
- Android users
- Typical price
- £409–£489
Pros
- S Pen included
- microSD storage expansion
Cons
- Midrange chip
Amazon · Tablets
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet (2023 release)
Buy it if You want a cheap screen for Prime Video, Netflix and Kindle books and you live in Amazon's world.
- Verdict
- Consider
- Best for
- Budget streaming and kids
- Typical price
- £89–£139
Pros
- Very low price
- Full HD 10.1-inch screen
Cons
- No Google Play Store
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Apple iPad 11-inch or the Apple iPad?
Choose the Apple iPad 11-inch if you want a fast, well-supported tablet for streaming, reading, homework and video calls. Choose the Apple iPad if you take handwritten notes, sketch or edit photos and want a tablet that can stand in for a laptop with a keyboard.
Which is better value?
The Apple iPad 11-inch typically costs £279–£319 and the Apple iPad typically costs £509–£549. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.