Apple iPad (2025) reviews

Display(s)

The 2025 iPad features an 11-inch IPS display with solid brightness up to 500 nits. You'll find the colors rich and accurate, making it pleasant for media consumption indoors.

Nonetheless, the 60Hz refresh rate might disappoint some. For everyday scrolling, it can feel less fluid compared to devices with higher refresh rates.

According to PCMag, "it's good enough for web content, streaming media, and playing games." However, the non-laminated design can cause annoying reflections, so consider screen placement in bright environments.

Performance

Apple's A16 chip powers the iPad, offering a snappy experience for everyday tasks and demanding apps alike. This means you can switch between apps, stream content, or game without lag, making your device feel responsive and ready for anything.

According to experts, "The A16's performance is perfectly adequate for education and business users." While the absence of the CPU and GPU cores used in iPhones might seem worrying, it turns out that performance remains impressive.

Whether you're focused on work or play, the iPad's processing power ensures a seamless experience across the board.

Software & Storage

While iPadOS 18 enhances your tablet experience with features like customizable home screens and app widgets, it lacks some useful multitasking functions found in Android tablets, like app pairing.

"iPadOS 18 is quite a bit behind most Android software," noted a review. Critics found the absence of a split-keyboard feature and universal back gesture unfavorable.

You'll find the missing Apple Intelligence limits some features, but the iPad's simplicity can appeal to users seeking a straightforward, no-frills interface.

Cameras

The iPad's camera system won applause for its practicality, especially the front-facing 12MP lens. Positioned in landscape, it is perfect for video calls and allows for wider shots, adding clarity and depth with Apple’s Center Stage, a clever feature that tracks your movement to keep you in focus.

This seamless experience is rewarding. Reviewers at PCMag praised the video call quality, saying it outshines others in its price range. Yet, low-light performance is less stellar, introducing some grain, which experts noted as a usual compromise in cheaper tablets.

Battery

The iPad (2025) impresses with its durable battery life, delivering about 8–9 hours of screen time, suitable for full-day productivity or entertainment.

Adding to the convenience, Apple provides a 20W charger in the box. Experts observed that while the charging speed is not the quickest, the device usually takes around two and a half hours to fully recharge. Reviewers feel "the lack of a faster charging option may be a slight inconvenience." Despite this, the existing charging solution aligns well with its reliable battery life, ensuring that daily interruptions are minimal.

Audio

The 2025 iPad's stereo speakers cater well to casual media consumption, such as streaming YouTube or TV shows. "The volume is completely sufficient for YouTube or Apple TV and the sound quality is acceptable," experts note.

However, in noisier settings or when desires for rich sound arise, these speakers may not meet all expectations. For movie buffs or gamers who value deep bass and clarity, pairing with high-quality headphones might enhance the experience.

For calls, the device’s dual microphones ensure clear voice pick-up, making communication smooth. Yet, users looking for a more detailed audio presence could consider using external speakers or earbuds.

The Bottom Line

This entry-level tablet offers double the storage at a lower cost than its predecessor, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious users. It features a reliable performance for streaming media, browsing, and productivity tasks. Reviewers highlight the display as satisfactory for basic use, although "it's only capable of reproducing the sRGB colour gamut," limiting its color depth.

The lack of support for advanced features like Apple Intelligence doesn't detract from its usability for basic tasks.