Apple's entry-level iPad A16 just hit its lowest price ever at $274, down from $349, making it the standout tablet deal this Cyber Monday. Enhanced by the new iPadOS 26 update that brings Mac-like windowing features, this budget iPad now offers unprecedented versatility for streaming, work, and gaming without the $1,000+ price tag of Apple's Pro models.
Apple's most affordable iPad just became an even better bargain. The iPad A16 is selling for just $274 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart during Cyber Monday sales - a $75 discount that marks the tablet's lowest price since its early 2025 launch. Considering the entry-level iPad normally retails for $349, this 21% price drop makes it the standout tablet deal of the holiday shopping season.
The timing couldn't be better. Apple's recent iPadOS 26 update just transformed what this humble tablet can do. The software brings Mac-like windowing capabilities to the iPad experience, letting users resize windows, snap them to sides for split-screen work, and use the revived Slide Over feature for true multitasking. What was once a simple media consumption device now handles productivity tasks with surprising grace.
"We've always positioned the entry-level iPad as the perfect balance of performance and value," an Apple spokesperson told WIRED earlier this year. The A16 chip inside delivers enough horsepower for most apps and games while maintaining the all-day battery life that made iPads popular in the first place. The 11-inch display hits that sweet spot - not too big for handheld use, not too small for serious work.
Interestingly, the iPad A16 is the only device in Apple's current lineup that doesn't support Apple Intelligence. That might actually be a feature, not a bug. Many of the AI-powered capabilities that Apple has been promoting - from writing assistance to image generation - haven't proven particularly useful in real-world testing. Users are often better served by the iPad's core strengths: rock-solid performance, excellent app ecosystem, and now enhanced multitasking.
Retailers are clearly betting on strong demand. Best Buy is offering the steepest discount at $274, while Amazon comes in slightly higher at $271. Walmart is pricing theirs at $279, still a significant savings from the regular $349 price point. The deals span all color options and the base 128GB storage configuration.
