Apple is preparing to launch updated iPad and iPad Air models soon, according to Bloomberg, which signals another refresh cycle focused on internal performance rather than visible design changes.
The report outlines plans for a new entry-level iPad and an updated iPad Air, with both devices expected to retain their current designs while adopting newer processors.
This approach continues Apple’s recent pattern of extending hardware lifespans through silicon upgrades, particularly for mass-market devices where stability and price positioning often outweigh dramatic redesigns.
The upcoming 12th-generation iPad is expected to move to the A18 chip, a shift that would place Apple’s most affordable tablet closer to the performance baseline of newer iPhones.
That processor change matters because it would allow the standard iPad to support Apple Intelligence features for the first time, closing a capability gap that emerged with last year’s model.
Apple launched the 11th-generation iPad in March 2025 with the A16 chip, which lacked support for Apple Intelligence despite the feature rolling out broadly across iPhones, Macs, and higher-end iPads.
Chip upgrades across the iPad lineup
The report also points to an updated iPad Air moving to Apple’s M4 chip, a notable step that would significantly narrow the performance gap between the Air and the more expensive iPad Pro models.
Apple has increasingly positioned the iPad Air as a productivity-focused option, and a move to M-series silicon reinforces its role as a bridge between casual tablet use and laptop-style workloads.
By concentrating upgrades on processors rather than form factor changes, Apple appears to prioritise software longevity and platform consistency as Apple Intelligence expands across its device ecosystem.
As Apple’s tablet lineup continues to stretch across different price and performance tiers, we’ve already broken down how the current models stack up in our Best iPad 2025 guide.
The iPad mini reportedly stands apart from this update cycle, with Bloomberg suggesting it will receive a more substantial upgrade later this year in the form of an OLED display.
That display change would align the iPad mini more closely with premium visual standards already present on the iPad Pro, while differentiating it from the larger, more affordable models.
Bloomberg does not provide a specific launch date, but the “coming soon” language suggests Apple could announce the new iPads ahead of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, likely through a standalone product update.
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