Buying an iPad used to be simple. You’d walk into a store, grab the white box, and maybe pick up a stylus on the way out. Now? It's a logistical puzzle. If you just picked up the new 2025 apple 11-inch ipad a16, you’re probably staring at the accessory shelf wondering why there are four different sticks that all look identical but refuse to talk to each other.
It’s frustrating. Truly.
The "iPad 11" (as most people call it, even though Apple officially markets it as the iPad A16) is a weird beast. It’s the budget king, the entry-level hero, but it has some of the most confusing accessory requirements in the entire lineup.
The short answer: Which pencil actually works?
Let’s not bury the lead. If you own the 2025 apple 11-inch ipad a16, you have exactly two choices for an Apple Pencil.
- Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- Apple Pencil (1st Generation)
That’s it. If you try to use the Apple Pencil 2—the one with the flat side that magnetically charges on the Pros and Airs—it won't work. It won't pair. It won't charge. It’ll basically just be a very expensive refrigerator magnet. The same goes for the high-end Apple Pencil Pro. It’s a no-go.
Why the A16 iPad is a "special" case
Apple released this 11th-gen model in March 2025. They bumped the chip to the A16 Bionic (the same one from the iPhone 15) and finally killed off the 64GB base storage, starting everyone at a much more reasonable 128GB.
But here’s the kicker: they kept the old screen tech.
Because the display isn't "laminated" and doesn't have the specific magnetic induction hardware found in the M2 or M3 iPad Air, it can’t charge a Pencil wirelessly. This is why you’re stuck with the plug-in versions.
The USB-C Pencil: The logical choice?
Most people should just buy the Apple Pencil (USB-C). It’s cheaper, usually around $79. It magnetically sticks to the side of your iPad for storage, though it doesn't charge there. To charge it, you slide the cap back and plug in a cable.
It supports "Hover," which is neat. You can see where your mark will land before you touch the screen. But—and this is a big but—it has no pressure sensitivity. If you’re an artist, that’s a dealbreaker.
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The 1st Gen Pencil: The artist's compromise
This is the "old" one. The one with the silver ring and the cap that covers a Lightning connector. It feels ridiculous to use a Lightning accessory with a USB-C iPad in 2026, but it’s the only way to get pressure sensitivity on the A16 model.
You’ll need a tiny "USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter" to pair it. If you buy a new one today, that adapter is in the box. If you’re buying a used pencil from a friend, you’ll have to hunt one down separately for $9.
What about the Apple Pencil Pro?
I see this question a lot in forums. People see the "11-inch" branding on the box and assume the Apple Pencil Pro is compatible because it also lists "11-inch iPad" on its compatibility list.
Don't fall for it. The Apple Pencil Pro only works with the M4/M5 iPad Pro, the M2/M3 iPad Air, and the A17 Pro iPad Mini. Even though the budget iPad is now an "11-inch" device (up from the 10.9-inch marketing of the previous generation), the internals are lightyears apart. The A16 iPad lacks the specific magnetic array and the "Squeeze" gesture sensors required to even talk to the Pencil Pro.
Is the A16 iPad actually worth it?
Honestly, it depends on what you're doing.
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If you're a student taking notes, the 2025 apple 11-inch ipad a16 is a steal at $349. The 6GB of RAM is a massive jump over the 4GB in the old 10th-gen model. It’s snappy. It handles multitasking way better than the price tag suggests.
However, the lack of Apple Intelligence is the elephant in the room. Because it "only" has 6GB of RAM and the A16 chip lacks the specific NPU power Apple wants for their AI suite, you won't get the fancy writing tools or the updated Siri. For that, you’d need to jump up to the iPad Air or the Mini.
Real-world performance
I’ve spent some time with this specific combination—the A16 iPad and the USB-C Pencil. For digital journaling or marking up PDFs, it’s great. The A16 chip is surprisingly efficient. In battery tests, it actually outlasts the old A14 model by nearly an hour during heavy video streaming.
But the screen is the trade-off. There is a tiny air gap between the glass you touch and the pixels underneath. If you’ve used an iPad Pro, you’ll notice it immediately. If this is your first iPad? You probably won't care.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Pencil: If you already own an Apple Pencil 2, sell it or trade it in; it is not compatible with this iPad.
- Prioritize your use case: Buy the Apple Pencil (USB-C) if you are taking notes or navigating. Buy the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) ONLY if you specifically need pressure sensitivity for drawing.
- Verify the Adapter: If you go with the 1st Gen Pencil, ensure the box says "Includes USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter" to avoid a second trip to the store.
- Storage check: Since the A16 model starts at 128GB, avoid paying for iCloud upgrades immediately—utilize that local storage for your Procreate files and notes first.