Apple has been making some of the best tablets on the market for years. We don’t just mean the fanciest and most powerful ones. Even Apple’s budget iPads are a solid choice. The entry-level iPad A16 is still our expert’s top pick for most people. It’s a great device for tons of things like scrolling social media, streaming your favorite content and even playing games. But Apple recently implemented a price hike across its lineup, and the cheapest iPad A16 now starts at $449, a $100 increase from its previous $349 price.
The good news is that there are still discounts you can grab. You can save up to $100 with a direct discount at Amazon, while free Apple services make Best Buy and Walmart compelling vendors — even though they sometimes offer smaller discounts. To help you make the most of these offers, CNET’s shopping experts have rounded up the top bargains below. Just note that deals and prices can change quickly, and there’s no guarantee how long these discounts will last. We’ll continue to update this page as offers come and go, so be sure to check back often.
This 11th-gen model offers some nice improvements over its 2022 predecessor. It doubled the base storage to 128GB and replaced the A14 chip with an A16. It doesn’t run Apple Intelligence, but it does offer a 512GB storage tier and works with the 10th-gen iPad’s Keyboard Folio.
It starts at $449 now but the upgrades add more value. You can also pick up the Magic Keyboard for $242 at Amazon, a nice $27 price cut.
Best iPad A16 deals
You can order the updated A16 iPad at Apple right now, starting at just $449 for the Wi-Fi model and $599 for the cellular model. While there are no direct discounts on this tablet, if you have an older device you’d like to part with, you could get up to $690 for an eligible trade-in, helping offset some of the cost of your upgrade.
Just keep in mind that only newer models with more advanced chips will receive the full discount. If your trade-in exceeds the device’s cost, you’ll get the remainder as an Apple gift card.
Additionally, you can earn 3% cash back when you use your Apple Card* to make your purchase.
Amazon has the basic 128GB iPad A16 available for as low as $349, which saves you $100 compared to the usual starting price. Other storage options and colors have varying prices.
Best Buy is offering a small $20 off and you can save if you’re upgrading from and older iPad, or even more for a Pro or Air model. Plus, Best Buy also accepts tablets from Google, Samsung, Amazon and many other brands.
You’ll also get three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade, as well as two free months of Apple TV with the purchase if you’re a new or returning subscriber.
Walmart is offering a direct discount of $150 on the iPad right now, bringing it down to $299. You also get to try out four of Apple’s services for free. You’ll get three months of Apple News Plus and Apple TV as well as four months of Apple Music and Apple Arcade with your purchase. Note that Walmart still has it listed for the old price of $349 which is bound to change at any time.
B&H is not offering any direct discount on the A16 iPad. But you’ll get the tax back as cashback if you use a B&H Payboo credit card.* You could even save a little more by trading in your old Apple gear for credits.
Adorama doesn’t currently offer any standard discount on the entry-level iPad. However, you can save 5% when you use the Adorama Edge Credit Card* and the retailer offers a rewards program that lets you earn points redeemable for credit against future purchases.
What is the best iPad A16 deal right now?
Walmart still lists the A16 for the old price of $349 and has it discounted for $299 which is the best discount at the moment. If you’ve got your eye on it, we recommend buying it soon as it may change at any time. Amazon is offering up to $100 off and if you have an old tablet to trade in, you can score some serious savings at Apple and Best Buy.
*All information about the Apple Card, B&H Payboo Credit Card, and Adorama Edge Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
How we choose iPad deals at CNET
Discounts on the latest Apple devices can be hard to come by but CNET’s dedicated deals team has years of experience helping readers score savings on top tech. Above, we’ve rounded up any straightforward discounts currently available on the iPad A16, as well as some additional ways to save.
These include any trade-in offers, exclusive discounts when you pay with a specific credit card and any free services you may get with the purchase. We also ensure that all featured deals are sourced from a trustworthy retailer, so you never have to wonder if a bargain is too good to be true.
The base price for the iPad A16 is $349. It’s an extra $100 if you want to upgrade to 256GB of storage or $200 for 512GB of storage. If you want cellular connectivity, prices start at $499.
This model comes in silver, blue, pink and yellow.
Apple rarely offers discounts on its own devices, especially the latest models, so you’ll have to look elsewhere if you’re hoping to pick up one of these iPad A16 models on sale. Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart are a good place to start, especially during major shopping events. It’s also worth seeing what deals are available at smaller online retailers like Adorama, B&H and Newegg, because they may be offering some under-the-radar bargains that aren’t being matched by larger competitors.
Not sure if these iPad models are the right fit for your budget or needs? Check out all the latest iPad deals for more options across Apple’s entire tablet lineup.
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