Apple's entry-level iPad will reportedly gain Apple Intelligence support this year through a processor upgrade to the A18 chip. The update would bring AI features to Apple's most affordable tablet for the first time.
Japanese rumor site Macotakara claims the next entry-level iPad will launch this spring with identical design but upgraded internals. The device would move from the current A16 Bionic chip to the A18 processor first seen in the iPhone 16 lineup.
RAM would increase from 6GB to 8GB, meeting Apple's minimum requirement for Apple Intelligence functionality.
The current A16 iPad lacks sufficient hardware for Apple's AI features despite its March 2025 release.
Apple Intelligence requires specific hardware configurations that the entry-level iPad has previously lacked. The iPad mini 7 currently serves as Apple's most affordable device with Apple Intelligence support, featuring an A17 Pro chip paired with 8GB of RAM.
The A18 chip reportedly includes a 16-core Neural Engine designed for AI workloads. This upgrade would enable features like on-device Siri processing, writing tools, and image generation that currently require M-series or A17 Pro chips.
Bloomberg reported in October that the entry-level iPad would include Apple Intelligence support, though earlier analysis from Wccftech considered this scenario unlikely.
The concern centered on product lineup disruption, as identical specifications would make the iPad mini 7 redundant.
Current A16 iPads remain available at discounted prices, with CNET noting deals bringing the 128GB model down to $299. These devices explicitly lack Apple Intelligence compatibility despite their capable A16 processors.
Beyond the entry-level iPad, Apple reportedly plans additional tablet updates this year. A refreshed iPad Air with M4 chip could launch alongside the A18 iPad, while an OLED iPad mini may arrive later in 2026.
The timing aligns with Apple's broader AI expansion across its product lineup. Apple Intelligence features are set to become more useful this year, with enhanced Siri capabilities and new chatbot functionality expected in iPadOS 27.
Apple's partnership with Google for Gemini-powered AI features adds another layer to the intelligence equation. The collaboration could bring Google's AI models to Apple devices while maintaining Apple's privacy standards through Private Cloud Compute.
For consumers, the upgrade represents significant value improvement. Since all iPads run the same iPadOS, Apple Intelligence support would give the entry-level model software parity with premium M5 iPad Pro devices at a fraction of the cost.
The spring launch window suggests Apple wants affordable AI-capable tablets available before back-to-school season. Education pricing typically makes iPads particularly attractive for students and schools seeking modern computing tools.
Apple has not officially confirmed the specifications or launch timing. The company typically updates its entry-level iPad annually, with the last refresh arriving in March 2025 featuring the A16 chip and doubled storage capacity.
