Apple to Refresh iPad Air, Pro, and Entry-Level Models Next Year
Apple Plans Dense Generation Refresh Across iPad Lineup for Early Next Year
Apple is preparing a dense generational refresh across its iPad lineup in the first half of next year, according to reporting published by Bloomberg. Following the recent rollout of an OLED iPad mini, the company intends to update the iPad Air, entry-level iPad, and iPad Pro in quick succession, marking a rare concentration of updates for the product family.
The Tech TL;DR:
- The mid-range iPad Air will transition to an OLED panel while retaining a 60Hz refresh rate and Touch ID authentication, with pricing expected between $799 and $899.
- The entry-level iPad will receive the A19 chip and 8GB of memory to support Apple Intelligence features alongside the N1 chip and C1X modem.
- The iPad Pro will introduce a vapor chamber cooling system paired with an M6 or M7 chip.
iPad Air Adopts OLED Display Technology and M5 Processing
The mid-range iPad Air will receive its first major display overhaul since 2020 by switching to an OLED panel, mirroring the recent trajectory of the iPad mini. The display will likely maintain a 60Hz refresh rate and preserve the Touch ID biometric scheme rather than adopting Face ID. Under the hood, the device is expected to transition from the M4 chip to the M5 chip. These configuration changes will likely push the base 11-inch model starting price into the $799 to $899 range, reflecting Apple’s strategy of supporting component costs through hardware upgrades rather than margin cuts.
Entry-Level iPad Gains Apple Intelligence and Modern Connectivity
The budget-focused entry-level iPad will undergo its first update since early 2025. The device will integrate the A19 chip and 8GB of memory, which brings Apple Intelligence capabilities to the company’s lowest-cost tablet for the first time. The hardware configuration also includes the N1 chip—featuring Wi-Fi 7 support—and C1X modem for enhanced network performance in cellular models, while the physical design and display specifications remain unchanged aside from potential new color options.
iPad Pro Integrates Vapor Chamber Cooling for Sustained Performance
The top-tier iPad Pro will focus its generational updates primarily on thermal management. The processor will advance to the M6 or potentially the M7 chip. These updates arrive roughly three years after the last major form-factor redesign, with the 11-inch model currently starting at $1,199 and the 13-inch version at $1,499.
Recent Product Launches and Pre-Order Controversies
Earlier this month, Apple announced a new iPad mini with an OLED display. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman further reported on iPhone Duo pre-orders, noting that Apple chose to begin pre-orders on Friday despite knowing the device would face “severe supply constraints” due to manufacturing challenges. In his newsletter, he called this decision a “major mistake,” writing: Let me cut to the chase: Apple made a major mistake here,
and describing it as a major mistake.
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