Before You Buy a Tablet: iPad, Apple Pencil Pro and Kindle

Start with what you need

Tablet: the iPad (A16) is the 11-inch entry model with 128GB to start, good for video, reading, notes and light work. The iPad Air 11-inch (M4) is lighter than the Pro and suits people who also want to draw. Neither is aimed at Pro-level display needs or heavy creative work.
Stylus: the Apple Pencil Pro adds squeeze, barrel roll, double tap, hover and haptic feedback. It is for people who draw, take notes or mark up documents, not for casual browsing.
E-reader: the Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is a 7-inch, glare-free e-ink reader with Audible and Send to Kindle. It is not for anyone who wants a color screen or stylus handwriting.

Apple Intelligence: on the iPad Air (M4) it is available in the US, while the China rollout depends on regulatory approval. The A16 iPad does not support it in either market.
SIM: both iPad cards cover Wi-Fi models with no SIM slot; cellular versions use eSIM.
Apple Pencil Pro: compatibility and features are the same in both markets and follow Apple's list.
Kindle: sold in the US with no official China sale, in lockscreen-ad and no-ad versions.

The Apple Pencil Pro works only with the iPads on Apple's list, and its features differ from the USB-C Apple Pencil.
Pencil and keyboard cases are sold separately for both iPads, so budget for them.
The Kindle's 12-week battery figure assumes 30 minutes of reading a day with wireless off.
Pick the Kindle ad or no-ad version before you check out.

iPad Air 11-inch (M4) 128GB Wi-Fi: M4 chip, Liquid Retina display and support for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
iPad (A16) 128GB Wi-Fi: the 11-inch entry iPad; Pencil and keyboard case are extra.
Apple Pencil Pro: a feature-rich stylus, limited to the listed iPads.
Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) 16GB: 300 ppi e-ink with weeks of battery life.

None of these cards calls one country cheaper. Check each card page for current prices.