Apple hasn’t updated its entry-level iPad since March last year, and a new leak suggests the company is working on major under-the-hood performance improvements for a refreshed tablet.
The leak is based on Apple code spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. It reveals that the 12th-generation iPad will be equipped with an A19 chip and corroborates previous reports that the company will finally add support for Apple Intelligence features on its most affordable option.
Both additions are expected to make the iPad 12 a significant improvement over the existing iPad 11. The A19 chip is much more powerful than the A16 found in the iPad 11, and support for Apple Intelligence means RAM will be bumped from 6GB on the current model to at least 8GB, the minimum requirement to run Apple’s suite of AI features.
Currently, the iPad 11 is the only tablet in Apple’s lineup that lacks Apple Intelligence. The newest iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini all have support for the company’s AI features.
Aside from AI features and the processor, the report also claims that Apple will equip the 12th-gen iPad with its in-house C1X modem and N1 networking chip. The C1X modem can support sub–6GHz 5G networks, while the N1 chip can support Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and the Thread protocol for smart home devices.
The report arrives just months after Apple increased the starting price of the 11th-gen iPad from $349 to $449. The increase was part of Apple’s price adjustments across multiple product lines to offset rising memory and component costs.
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The pricing and release timeline for the upcoming iPad are currently unclear. While a Bloomberg report earlier this year had projected a 2026 release, the outlet revised its expected timeline to Q1 2027 in July.
As for the next big iPad release, MacRumors reports it could be an update to the iPad mini before the end of this year.
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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.
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