2026 iPad release date: When will Apple launch the next entry-level iPad?

• May launch predicted

In a newsletter at the end of March 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the new entry-level iPad is “on the roadmap for a release in the iOS 26.4 timeframe, which runs until May.” Apple released iOS 26.4 on March 24, so this likely means the device will launch before iOS 26.5 arrives, expected in May.

However, the successor to the iPad A16 could slip to later in 2026. Apple needs to ensure sufficient supply of whichever chip it chooses – likely the A18 or A19 – and may also be waiting for its Apple Intelligence features to be fully ready. This includes ongoing work to improve next-generation Siri, which has reportedly faced development challenges.

A delay is more likely to be strategic than technical. Apple did not update the base iPad during its March 2026 launch event, despite releasing the M4 iPad Air. Holding back the entry-level iPad helps avoid cannibalising sales of more expensive models, and staggered releases like this are typical of Apple’s product strategy.

Should you wait?

We recommend waiting for the 2026 iPad if you’re considering an upgrade. The current model, powered by the A16 chip introduced in March 2025, has felt due a performance boost since it launched due to its lack of support for Apple Intelligence. The next-generation iPad is expected to deliver a meaningful upgrade with a faster chip, more RAM, and support for Apple Intelligence – making it a much more future-proof choice.

2026 iPad chip: Will the new iPad use the A18 or A19 chip?

• A18 chip most likely
• 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU
• N1 chip for Wi-Fi 6E/7 and Bluetooth 6

The biggest upgrade coming to the 2026 iPad will be a new processor, but reports are divided on exactly which chip Apple will use.

Most evidence points to the A18 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus in 2024. In March 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the new iPad is “ready to go” with an A18, making it the most likely candidate. The A18 would also enable Apple Intelligence, something the current A16-powered iPad cannot support.

However, there is still a possibility that Apple could opt for the A19 chip instead. As we reported in December 2025, a code-leak suggested that Apple had been testing new iPad models (codenamed J581 and J582) equipped with the same A19 chip expected in the iPhone 17 lineup.

For now, the balance of evidence leans toward the A18 as the more realistic choice. Reports of A18 Pro shortages – linked to the popularity of the MacBook Neo – are unlikely to affect supply of the standard A18 chip if Apple chooses to use that in the new iPad.

What to expect

• A18 chip: Expected to feature a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, similar to its implementation in recent iPhones. Apple may use a “binned” version with one fewer CPU or GPU core, a common strategy to improve manufacturing yields and differentiate products. The A18 should deliver a 30–40 percent performance boost over the A16, along with 8GB of RAM (up from 6GB), enabling support for Apple Intelligence.
• A19 chip: Expected to feature a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU in the iPhone 17. Apple could use the same configuration or a slightly reduced “binned” version for the iPad. The A19 would offer an even larger jump—around 50 percent faster than the A16—while also including 8GB of RAM, which is essential for Apple Intelligence features.

Other specs

Apple is also expected to bring its new N1 connectivity chip to the iPad. First introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup, the N1 handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity. Its inclusion could upgrade the iPad to Wi-Fi 6E or even Wi-Fi 7, along with Bluetooth 6.x, up from the current Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

For cellular models, Apple will likely use its in-house C1 modem (or a variant of it), continuing its shift away from third-party suppliers while improving efficiency and integration.

Why does Apple Intelligence matter for the iPad?

Apple Intelligence introduces a range of AI-powered features designed to enhance creativity, productivity, and real-time communication, including:

• Image Generation: Tools like Image Playground and Genmoji allow users to create custom visuals and personalized emojis from text prompts.
• Live Translation: Integrated into FaceTime and Messages, this feature provides real-time translated captions during calls, effectively giving every user a personal translator.
• Photo Editing: The “Clean Up” tool uses AI to identify and remove unwanted background objects from photos, a task that previously required complex manual editing.
• Writing Tools: System-wide rewriting, proofreading, and summarization in apps such as Mail and Notes.
• Smart Shortcuts: Automation of repetitive tasks using intelligent actions and text summarization.
• Priority Management: AI-driven Priority Notifications and Priority Inbox to surface time-sensitive information.

These features require at least 8GB of RAM and a more powerful Neural Engine, which means Apple Intelligence is currently limited to M-series iPads (Air and Pro) and the A17 Pro iPad mini.

By contrast, the standard iPad with the A16 chip – released in March 2025 – does not support Apple Intelligence. This is a notable limitation for long-term value, especially as future versions of iPadOS are expected to rely increasingly on AI-driven features.

2026 iPad display: No OLED or ProMotion

• Same 10.9-inch LCD
• No OLED display
• No ProMotion

While there are reports that the other iPads (mini, Air and Pro) could get new OLED panels with richer colors and deeper contrast in 2026, the base model is unlikely to evolve from its LCD panel.

We expect the upcoming iPad to have the same 11-inch Liquid Retina display 2360-by-1640 display with 500 nits of brightness and 60Hz refresh rate that it has had since 2022.

2026 iPad design: No new design

Apple

The A19 iPad is also expected to have the same dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches (248.6 x 179.5 x 7 millimeters) and weigh 1.05 pounds (477 grams). 

We haven’t heard anything about new colors, but since Apple hasn’t changed the color palette (blue, pink, yellow, silver) since its original release, it’s possible we get a couple of new options.

2026 iPad cameras: Will Apple update the FaceTime camera?

Britta O’Boyle

• 12MP rear camera 
• 12MP Center Stage front camera 

The current iPad has two 12MP cameras, with the front ‘FaceTime’ camera having support for Center Stage. Apple isn’t expected to make changes to the camera for the upcoming iPad. 

However, the company did change the Centre Stage camera with the arrival of the iPhone 17, and the new ‘square’ 18MP camera could be used on the front of the new iPad.

This front-facing camera has a larger, square sensor that supports automatic subject framing, orientation-agnostic capture, and advanced video features. On the iPad the 18MP camera could translate to improved video quality. However, current iPads already support smart framing during video calls so that aspect of the design may not be necessary.

2026 iPad price: Will Apple keep the entry-level iPad affordable?

After launching at $449 in 2022, Apple cut the price of the entry-level iPad to $349 in May 2024, and doubled the starting storage from 64GB to 128GB with the 11th-gen model. However, there are a few factors that could impact pricing this year: tariffs and the rising cost of RAM. Apple has yet to adjust the price of any of its products to reflect these additional costs, so it’s unclear if the iPad will be affected.