Apple's cheapest iPad could finally get A18 chip and Apple Intelligence in 2026

Apple's cheapest iPad might finally catch up on performance

Apple's entry-level iPad has always been about value, but performance wasn't its strongest suit. The company's Pro models offered much higher horsepower with their M-series chips. But the 2026 iPad might finally be getting the boost it needs. Recommended Videos A new report suggests that the upcoming 12th Gen iPad will feature Apple's A18 chipset, marking a significant jump in performance over the current model's A16 chip. So it's shaping up to be one of the more meaningful upgrades Apple's bringing to its base iPad in years. What to expect from Apple's 2026 iPad? The details were revealed in an ESR tech listing for a 'paper-feel' screen protector for the new iPad's 11-inch display. And it even leaked the processor details. The big new change is the A18 chip that could bring a 20%+ jump in performance over the previous generation. Even with single-core gains potentially reaching up to 30%. That's a substantial leap for a device that's typically aimed at students, casual users, and first-time iPad buyers. With the A18 Pro powering Apple's cheapest MacBook, the capable 3nm chip with a 6-core CPU should bring better multitasking and smoother everyday performance. Apple Intelligence might finally reach the cheapest iPad It's not just about the faster chip. The bigger implication of the upgrade is AI. The new iPad might pack 8GB of RAM, enabling support for Apple Intelligence features. This is currently missing on the base iPad. Apple has been rolling out AI features across devices, and this update could finally bring it to the same level as Apple's more premium devices. No redesign in sight But if you're hoping for more substantial changes, visually speaking, the 2026 iPad might disappoint. Apple seems to be focusing on performance, since the listing showcases a familiar design consistent with the 2025 iPad.

Apple's iPad (2026) Seemingly Confirmed, Thanks to This Accessory

A leaked screen protector listing suggests it has a 11-inch screen Apple's iPad (2025) was launched in India and global markets last year, along with Apple's A16 Bionic chip, and the company is expected to launch the tablet's successor in the near future. A refreshed version of the standard iPad model, which is the only model that doesn't support Apple Intelligence, could soon be launched with a newer chipset and support for on-device AI features, according to a listing from a accessory brand. Recent reports suggest that the 12th generation iPad is not expected to arrive with major design changes, or other specification upgrades. Listing for iPad (2026) Screen Protector on ESR Website Also Mentions of A18 Chip Accessory brand ESR briefly listed a screen protector for a new iPad model that was spotted by GSMArena, before the listing was taken down. The publication managed to snag a couple of screenshots of the product, which also included an image of what appears to be last year's iPad (2025) model in the Blue colourway, along with the text "iPad 11" (A18) 2026". This tells us nearly everything we need to know about the upcoming tablet. Many Apple products have been spotted on the websites of accessory makers, well before Apple actually unveils those models. The listing on ESR's website states that the iPad will be equipped with a 11-inch screen, which is likely to be a Liquid Retina display. It's also worth noting that the lisitng for the 12th generation iPad also claims that the screen protector for the new iPad model will be compatible with two older models, the 11th Gen model that arrived in 2025, and the 10th Gen model that was introduced in 2022. Apple is also expected to equip the next iPad model with an A18 chip. This is the same processor that made its debut on the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus, and it offers support for Apple Intelligence. With the upgrade from the 4nm A16 Bionic to the more advanced 3nm A18 chip, the company could finally support Apple Intelligence on the standard iPad. Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro already have Apple Intelligence features.