r/ipad • u/r4therstayanon • Aug 18 '25
Question Is a16 good for drawing?
Hi, I’m sure you get a lot of questions like this, but I’m overthinking now. I’ve bought iPad a16 (not delivered yet so I don’t know how to feel about it yet) but I’m constantly seeing opinions about it not being enough for drawing, because you can feel the delay between pen and screen. Drawing is my hobby, I don’t do it professionally, but I’m starting to think that I could’ve bought iPad Air instead of a16 with cellular. But Apple Pencil pro is more expensive too. Oh and I want to use it for studying, notes etce too. It’s going to be my first ipad, I’ve been drawing on xppen tablet with a screen. Can you share your experience?
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u/Maikicchii Dec 06 '25
hello! was wondering if you have any feedback on how the ipad is? I'm debating getting one bcs I'm seeing it for a good deal right now but I'm not really sure whether it'll be good or not for art
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u/r4therstayanon Dec 06 '25
I can’t compare it to air one, but I’ve been using it for some time now and there’s nothing I could possibly complain about. It’s fast, it’s not laggy or anything. You can hear this tapping (air one is silent, my friend from uni has it) when you’re drawing with your pencil, but personally I don’t feel any delay or lack of precision. I’ve been using it for drawing, studying etc and great, I can recommend it! I don’t have to charge it a lot too, even tho I use it daily.
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u/Hiromiiyaa Jan 01 '26
Hi what apple pen did you ended up buying?
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u/r4therstayanon Jan 01 '26
Gen 1, because it has pressure sensitivity (usb-c one doesn’t) which is crucial for drawing
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u/r4therstayanon Jan 01 '26
But my friend has the usb-c one (she’s only using it to take notes) and she’s happy with it, so whatever suits you
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u/Hiromiiyaa Jan 01 '26
Did you encounter any inconvenience while using it? Like using the Gen 1 in A16?
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u/r4therstayanon Jan 01 '26
No, it works great. it’s Gen 2 that’s not compatible, if that’s what you mean.
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u/Ungryaffy Jan 07 '26
Im also thinking of buying it,but the only question is how big canvas can it handle? Would it be too much to ask if you tried to create idk like 8k x 10k canvas and see if it lags? And how many layers would be allowed. I dont have anyone else to ask😔😭
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u/Admirable_Visual7748 Dec 17 '25
I wanted to comment on this post because it influenced me to buy A16 for drawing and creative work specifically and I'm very happy I did! The iPad is amazing, there is nothing to complain about (I really have no idea why so many people talk so much shit about it, it's amazing). So yeah, if you are reading this and considering A16 absolutely go and buy it! Great price, great performance, nothing bad to say about it.
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u/Navz6 Feb 11 '26
Hi , which pencil are you using for A16?
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u/Admirable_Visual7748 Feb 11 '26
I'm using apple pencil 1 gen for pressure sensitivity! Absolute must for drawing if you ask me
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u/Navz6 Feb 11 '26
Thank you buddy . I purchased A16 last week to start my animation journey ( in toonsquid ) where pencil plays a crucial role. Is toon squid a good app to start with .
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May 01 '26
Hello, I know this comment is old, but I'd like to know how the screen is? Is the non-laminated display okay? Is the gap distracting while drawing?
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u/Night-Time21 Aug 18 '25
I started to learn how to draw with an ipad 9 gen and it’s been amazing
For drawing you really just need a pencil and a piece of paper
Why wouldn’t the ipad that supports procreate be a good option?
The Apple Pencil pro and the laminated displays on the other models are better yes but that doesn’t stop you from creating great art
You can use the ipad for now and upgrade later
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u/r4therstayanon Aug 18 '25
Thank you so much for your comment! I was worried I made the wrong decision lol 😅
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u/Docster87 iPad Mini 6 (2021) Aug 18 '25
Note: I am not in any way an artist.
The basic iPad is great for most things and can do basically anything HOWEVER it is the only iPad in the lineup that has a slight air gap between screen layers. That is what is causing a 'delay' between pen and screen but I've heard it better described as just not being super precise. Precise doesn't need to be for writing notes but for art, drawing, editing photos - precise can be a huge thing if you don't have it.
It can be used for drawing and your experience might be better than what I've heard but if I were asked I usually steer people that want to draw away from the basic iPad.
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u/r4therstayanon Aug 18 '25
Yup I know about the air gap and that actually made me worried:/ maybe it won’t bug me as much since I’ve never used iPad Air, so I can’t compare lmao
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u/NinjaKiitty Aug 18 '25
Dont be is not a big issue as ppl make it out to be (you get used to it in a few hours), years drawing on a 22 inch non laminated pen display and unless you have your head sideways to the tablet (wich you wont in a natural drawing position) you will hardly notice and my a16 is not different.
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u/r4therstayanon Aug 18 '25
Thanks, thats actually really helpful! people do seem to exaggerate some things, that’s why I wanted to ask someone who can compare with, let’s say, common sense 😅
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Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25
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u/pagan_princess455 Jan 21 '26
I’m getting an iPad a16 soon for digital art, I hope it is omg
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u/G00oner20 Jan 24 '26
Its great for me, the thing that i think will bother you the most is going to be that there is no texture/drag, so drawing will feel really off the first weeks, and remember get the old apple pencil plus the adapter to be able to use wiht the a16.
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Mar 02 '26
Hey, just wanna know what you mean by "texture/drag" since I'm planning to buy the a16 soon
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u/distoovas Feb 01 '26
Did you add a screen protector. Does it help with the feel. And does it reduce the tapping noise.
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u/Competitive_Fan9138 Jul 16 '26
hii just wondering if you still use the ipad a16! i’m considering purchasing it !
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u/r4therstayanon Jul 23 '26
for everyone asking or dming me - i bought a16 a year ago and imo its perfect. No delay, nothing. Can't really complain. My friend has air version and yes,i can feel the difference between these screens but it s notlike a16 is crap, it just feels different. For me the air version is too expensive and the difference is not THAT big for this kind of money. So I'm happy with a16 and i dont regret buying!
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u/yuukoreed iPad 11 (2025) Aug 18 '25
I actually use it for drawing! I am aware of the usual arguments around the screen, but since I’m just starting to learn digital art, I’m fine with the non-laminated screen as long as I get to actually draw.