Apple is preparing its first wave of products for 2026, and a refreshed entry-level iPad is expected to be among the first devices out of the gate. According to a recent report, the new model may finally gain Apple Intelligence support, marking a notable step up from its predecessor.
In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple will soon launch an upgraded entry-level iPad alongside refreshed iPad Air models. While major design changes are unlikely, Gurman says the new tablets will be powered by faster processors.
The entry-level iPad is expected to receive Apple’s A18 chip, while the iPad Air could be upgraded to the M4. For the base iPad, the new processor would enable Apple Intelligence support for the first time, which Gurman notes is set to be a key part of the product’s marketing push.
The entry-level iPad may also get a RAM upgrade
Details about the chip upgrade for the entry-level iPad align with a previous leak that also suggested Apple will increase RAM. While last year’s model shipped with an A16 chip and 6GB of RAM, the 2026 refresh is expected to feature the A18 processor paired with 8GB of RAM.
For now, there’s no word on exactly when Apple will announce the new iPads. However, based on last year’s launch timeline, the company may unveil the next-generation tablets in early March. More details are expected to surface in the days leading up to the announcement, including pricing, availability, and whether Apple has any additional changes planned beyond the internal upgrades.
Alongside the new iPads, Apple is also expected to unveil the iPhone 17e and refreshed MacBook Pro models with the M5 chip in the coming weeks.