Apple’s Entry-Level Tablet Packs a Powerful Upgrade

Apple launched multiple iPad and Mac devices at the start of the month. While the extended event appeared to have already wrapped up, the company could pull another surprise iPad hardware announcement soon.

Along with the new iPad Air and MacBook unveiled by Apple, it was reported that the entry-level iPad model could also be refreshed with a new 12th-generation model. However, the device was notably missing from the lineup, suggesting it might have a different launch window.

The Apple iPad 12 receives a Powerful Upgrade

That timing appears to be approaching, as details of the alleged iPad 12 have been revealed by casemaker ESR before it was taken down (via GSMArena). The brand may have accidentally posted the new tablet ahead of schedule, or perhaps intentionally listed it through a screen protector entry.

Accordingly, the device is labeled as the “iPad 11-inch (A18) 2026” on the brand’s store. This suggests it will feature the same 11-inch display as the 2025 version launched in March last year. However, the more notable discovery is the mention of the A18 SoC.

This coincides with a recent report from Mark Gurman, which alleges the iPad 12 will feature the previous-generation SoC rather than the newer A19. Still, this is a significant upgrade, as it hints at the addition of Apple Intelligence support for the device.

In Apple’s current iPad offerings, only the entry-level model lacks on-device AI, primarily because the chipset and memory do not meet the necessary requirements. More importantly, this suggests we might see the iPad 12 sporting a larger 8 GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, similar to the iPad Mini.

Besides adding AI capabilities to the mix, the A18 brings substantial performance uplifts compared with the A16 SoC in the iPad 11. We could see up to 35% faster CPU performance and up to 40% better GPU performance. Meanwhile, AI processing could see up to twice the power.

Same Design But With Apple Pencil Pro Compatibility?

As shown in the leaked images, the iPad 12 appears to carry over the design and form factor of the previous iPad. This is not surprising, given that the iPhone maker tends to retain the same design for its devices over longer periods.

Interestingly, one of the images depicts a user holding an Apple Pencil Pro. This might signal that the standard iPad line will finally support the high-end stylus. However, there is a chance this could simply be a rendering flaw in ESR’s promotional materials.

At the same time, it remains unclear if the iPad 12 will stick to the same $349 price as its predecessor or if these upgrades will result in a price hike.

The launch date for the new iPad 12 is still vague, with reports suggesting it could become official only later this year. But with these new materials emerging, we might see Apple unveil the iPad much sooner.

What pro or advanced features would you like to see in the next iPad? Share your answers in the comments!