Today, Apple introduced two new iPads: an M3 iPad Air and a base A16 iPad. In a surprising move, the new entry-level iPad lacks support for Apple Intelligence—an absence that might be acceptable for a budget device but renders the discontinuation of the iPhone SE even more puzzling.
A16 iPad focuses on affordability over AI functionality
Throughout the past year, Apple has progressively enhanced much of its product lineup with Apple Intelligence capabilities.
- The entire iPhone 16 series supports AI features, including the newly launched iPhone 16e.
- Mac computers have long possessed the necessary specifications for Apple Intelligence, recently receiving an AI boost by standardizing 16GB of RAM in newer models.
- Significant updates to the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini last year were clearly designed with AI considerations in mind.
Now, however, Apple’s latest entry-level iPad arrives without Apple Intelligence. It is powered by an A16 chip, which is only one generation older than the AI-compatible A17 Pro.
Clearly, Apple decided that its entry-level iPad priced at $349 could do without AI capabilities. Perhaps internal assessments indicated that the intended users of this device wouldn’t require those features.
Given that the primary selling point of the base iPad is its affordability, I can somewhat agree with this choice.
However, it does raise the question: why was the iPhone SE treated differently?
iPhone SE could have persisted without AI, standing alongside the iPhone 16e
When Apple introduced the iPhone 16e at $599, it opted to exit the budget smartphone market.
As per the company’s marketing, the rationale was evident: support for Apple Intelligence was vital for the new device.
Thus, Apple equipped its latest iPhone with a contemporary A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, and enabled AI functionality—despite the increased costs linked with these enhancements.
Provisioning an iPhone 16 ‘Lite’ model, like the 16e, is a commendable idea. I fully support the notion of experimentation.
Nonetheless, Apple could have maintained the budget model instead of discontinuing it completely.
It could have continued offering the previous iPhone SE.
Of course, the iPhone SE might have required a transition to a USB-C port in place of Lightning. It could have also benefited from minor adjustments.
However, Apple largely could have left the device intact, reduced its price to $399, and secured an option for those on a tighter budget.
Until now, I assumed that the reason for this decision was the necessity for Apple Intelligence on all new hardware.
Surely if Apple continues to introduce new AI features regularly, they would aim to transition users to AI-supported products as swiftly as possible.
At least, that was my thinking. Yet, the release of the A16 iPad seems to contradict this reasoning.
Confusion over AI in Apple’s product lineup
For some reason, Apple has determined that the guidelines applied to the iPhone SE aren’t applicable to the entry-level iPad. I find myself perplexed by this inconsistency.
If anything, incorporating Apple Intelligence into the entry iPad seems even more crucial, especially as it’s frequently utilized in educational settings where features like Writing Tools and ChatGPT integration would be advantageous.
Perhaps Apple has concluded that $400 is too low for an iPhone in 2025. I can understand that perspective, particularly if price increases are anticipated for the iPhone 17 series.
Ultimately, though, the rationale remains unclear. Apple isn’t obligated to justify its product decisions, and we may never grasp why one device requires AI while another does not.
What are your thoughts on Apple’s decision to discontinue the iPhone SE while retaining its budget iPad without AI? Share your opinions in the comments.
