Black Friday Brings a Truly Great iPad Deal | WIREDSkip to main contentEarly Black Friday Deals2 DaysShop NowMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSBLACK FRIDAYMenuAccountAccountNewslettersEarly Black Friday DealsThe Best Chef’s KnivesPosha vs. ThermomixREI's Holiday Sale DealsLG OLED DealsDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InJulian ChokkattuGearNov 25, 2025 2:42 PMApple’s Entry-Level iPad Is on SaleBolstered by Apple’s iPadOS 26 update, this discounted tablet is more versatile than ever before.FacebookXEmailSave StoryCourtesy of AppleCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe iPad has always been the perfect tablet. A great price, a good amount of performance, solid battery life, and a big enough screen. That's why it's even more noteworthy when this humble slate goes on sale. Black Friday iPad deals abound! But no, you don't really need to buy that discounted iPad Pro that still costs nearly $1,000. Buy Apple's entry-level iPad for $279 instead, and save your cash for all the other hours you're not staring at this screen.For more discounts, check out our Best Early Black Friday Deals roundup.The Best iPad DealPhotograph: Brenda StolyarPhotograph: Brenda StolyarChevronChevronAppleiPad (2025, A16)$349 $279 (20% off) Amazon$349 $279 (20% off) Walmart$350 $280 (20% off) Target$349 AppleThe iPad A16 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) arrived early this year and is the only device in Apple's lineup that doesn't support Apple Intelligence. Maybe that's a good thing, considering that many of those artificial intelligence features aren't very useful right now. However, early rumors suggest that Apple is readying a 12th-gen iPad in the first few months of 2026, and expect to see Apple Intelligence support. It's otherwise expected to be a processor bump, so don't expect much else.If you just want a simple, big-screen tablet to catch up on shows, do some work, and even play games, the iPad A16 fits the bill. It's powerful enough for most apps and games, and the 11-inch screen size is not too big and not too small. This iPad recently got a whole lot more versatile with the iPadOS 26 update, which adds windowing features, turning the iPad experience into a Mac. You can resize windows, flick them to the sides for split-screen, and iPadOS 26.1 brings back Slide Over, so you still have some options on how you want to multitask.Connect it with a Bluetooth keyboard and you can easily spend hours on this slate typing up emails or doing some other kind of light work. Yes, you can also use it for drawing, but it only supports the first-gen Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil USB-C. The display is also not fully laminated, meaning there's an air gap between the glass and the screen, which makes it suboptimal for sketching.If you specifically want an iPad for drawing, I suggest upgrading to the iPad Mini, Air, or iPad Pro. Good news! Those are on sale as well.ArrowArrowPower up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that's too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also Like …In your inbox: WIRED's most ambitious, future-defining storiesWelcome to Big Tech's ‘Age of Extraction’Big Interview: Palantir’s CEO Alex Karp goes to warStarlink devices are allegedly being used at scam compoundsLivestream: What businesses need to know about agentic AIJulian Chokkattu is a senior reviews editor at WIRED, and has been covering personal technology and reviewing consumer products for a decade. He specializes in smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and covers augmented and virtual reality devices, office chairs, electric scooters, home office equipment, and more. This is his sixth year ... 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Apple’s entry-level iPad, bolstered by the iPadOS 26 update, is experiencing a significant discount, offering a versatile device perfect for casual users and those seeking a secondary tablet. Julian Chokkattu, a senior reviews editor at WIRED with a decade of experience focusing on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, highlights this deal as particularly noteworthy. The discount, currently offered at $279 (a 20% reduction from the standard price), positions the iPad as a compelling option, especially considering the enhancements introduced by the new operating system.

The iPad A16, released early in 2025, remains the only Apple device without support for Apple Intelligence, a strategic decision considering the current state of AI features, which are considered largely unhelpful. However, rumors suggest Apple is preparing a 12th-generation iPad within the first few months of 2026, anticipating the integration of Apple Intelligence support. The device’s anticipated processor bump suggests minimal hardware changes beyond this addition.

Designed for straightforward use—catching up on shows, completing work, and enjoying games—the iPad A16 offers a 11-inch screen size, striking a balance between portability and usability. The iPadOS 26 update is a key factor in its appeal, introducing windowing features that effectively transform the tablet experience, resembling a simplified Mac. Users can resize windows, swiftly split-screen apps, and leverage iPadOS 26.1's return of Slide Over for additional multitasking options. Connecting the iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard elevates its productivity capabilities, enabling extended writing sessions or light work tasks.

While the display is not fully laminated—resulting in a slight air gap between the glass and the screen—the tablet still supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil USB-C, though sketching performance isn’t optimal due to this limitation. For users specifically seeking a tablet for drawing, Chokkattu recommends considering the iPad Mini, Air, or Pro models, which offer superior drawing capabilities.

The sale coincides with broader Black Friday deals, further enhancing its attractiveness. The device’s core functionality—providing a large-screen experience for entertainment and productivity—makes it a solid choice for a wide range of users. Chokkattu’s assessment underscores the iPad A16's value, particularly given the recent improvements to iPadOS.