Apple's entry-level iPad just hit its sweet spot for Cyber Monday shoppers. The 2025 iPad A16 is now available for $274 at Best Buy, down from its $349 retail price, making it the best tablet deal of the shopping season. With the recent iPadOS 26 update adding Mac-like windowing features, this discounted slate suddenly looks like the smart buy over pricier Pro models.
Apple's entry-level iPad just became the season's best tablet bargain. The 2025 iPad A16 is now selling for $274 at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, marking a $75 discount from its $349 retail price during Cyber Monday sales.
The timing couldn't be better. Apple recently rolled out iPadOS 26, which fundamentally changes how this humble tablet operates. The update introduces Mac-style windowing features that let users resize windows, snap them to split-screen mode, and even brings back the popular Slide Over multitasking feature in version 26.1.
"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," according to WIRED's review, which gave the device an 8/10 rating. The publication notes that users can "resize windows, flick them to the sides for split-screen" functionality.
What makes this deal particularly compelling is what the iPad A16 doesn't have - Apple Intelligence support. While that might sound like a drawback, many of Apple's AI features "aren't very useful right now," making the absence less of a concern for most users.
The 11-inch display hits the sweet spot between portability and usability. Connect a Bluetooth keyboard, and you've got a capable work machine for emails and light productivity tasks. The A16 processor handles most apps and games without breaking a sweat, while battery life remains solid throughout day-long usage sessions.
For creative users, there are some limitations. The iPad A16 only supports first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil USB-C models. More importantly, the display isn't fully laminated, meaning there's an air gap between the glass and screen that makes it "suboptimal for sketching," according to WIRED's testing.
The competitive landscape makes this deal even more attractive. While Apple offers discounted iPad Pro models during Cyber Monday, those still cost "nearly $1,000" even on sale. The iPad Air and iPad Mini are also seeing price cuts, but they start at significantly higher price points.
Industry insiders suggest Apple is "readying a 12th-gen iPad in the first few months of 2026," according to early rumors. That refresh will likely add Apple Intelligence support, but it's "otherwise expected to be a processor bump, so don't expect much else."
For shoppers who just want a "simple, big-screen tablet to catch up on shows, do some work, and even play games," the current iPad A16 fits perfectly. The iPadOS 26 update has essentially given this budget tablet Pro-like capabilities without the premium price tag.
Retailers are matching the $274 price point across multiple platforms. Amazon is offering it for $271, while Walmart has it listed at $279. Apple's own store maintains the full $349 retail price, making third-party retailers the clear choice for deal-hunters.
This Cyber Monday iPad deal represents the perfect intersection of price, performance, and timing. The $274 iPad A16 delivers everything most users need in a tablet, now enhanced by iPadOS 26's desktop-class features. With a potential refresh still months away and current AI features remaining largely underwhelming, this budget-friendly iPad offers the best value in Apple's entire lineup. For anyone who's been waiting to join the tablet revolution or upgrade from an aging device, this deal makes the decision easy.
