When Apple released its refreshed entry-level iPad last year, I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed. Not because of the design, as I fully expected that to stay the same. What surprised me was Apple’s decision to equip it with its A16 chip.
I understand that it’s an entry-level iPad, where value and price matter more than raw performance, but it still felt a little odd to equip it with an older chipset that couldn’t even support Apple Intelligence.
However, it seems that this year, Apple’s popular budget-friendly iPad might finally get the upgrade it deserves.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is on track to release an updated version of its entry-level iPad soon, with the biggest change being an upgrade to its A18 chip.
This means it will not only be way more powerful than last year’s A16 iPad but also support Apple Intelligence, just in time for Apple’s long-awaited AI revamp of Siri, which could fully launch this fall with iOS 27.
As with last year, the iPad’s design is expected to remain the same, so the only real difference will be the upgraded chipset. Gurman reports that the release window Apple is aiming for is the first half of 2026, so it could launch sometime this April or May, before WWDC 2026.
- Brand
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Apple
- Storage
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128 GB
- CPU
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A16
- Operating System
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iPadOS
Apple’s budget-friendly devices keep getting better
Apple clearly aims to get its devices into more people’s hands
If there’s one thing I’ll give Apple credit for this year, it’s how much it’s leaned into affordability.
Back in February, it introduced the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo, and both might be among the most compelling budget-friendly devices Apple has put out in years. Unlike the iPhone 16e, the 17e is a much better value at the same $599 price point, thanks to its upgraded A19 chip and MagSafe, which the 16e sorely lacks.
Then there’s the MacBook Neo, which is in a league of its own. At $600, it’s the most affordable MacBook Apple has ever made. Sure, it makes a few compromises compared to the MacBook Air, but it’s still a capable, reliable laptop. It runs on the A18 Pro chip — marking the first time a Mac has used an iPhone chip — and features a 13-inch Liquid Retina display that looks great. The biggest drawback is its 8GB of RAM, but thanks to how well macOS is optimized, that 8GB goes a lot further than it would on a Windows laptop.
…with affordability on a lot of people’s minds right now, it’s refreshing to see Apple focus so much on devices in its lineup that don’t have the biggest dollar signs next to them.
So with that in mind, when Apple rolls out its updated entry-level iPad with the A18 chip later this year, it’ll slot right in alongside the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo. And taken together, this could shape up to be Apple’s strongest entry-level lineup yet. And with affordability on a lot of people’s minds right now, it’s refreshing to see Apple focus so much on devices in its lineup that don’t have the biggest dollar signs next to them. If Apple’s goal is ultimately to get more of its devices into people’s hands, I think it’s going to accomplish that swimmingly.
Apple’s A18 iPad reportedly could launch in the first half of 2026, so the wait shouldn’t be too much longer. And if you’re considering getting a new iPad this year, this is the model I would wait for.
