Apple's Next-Gen iPad 11 to Feature A17 Pro Chip, Enabling AI Capabilities
2 Sources
2 Sources
[1]
Apple's Entry-Level iPad 11 To Receive Major A17 Pro Chipset Upgrade, Making It More Than Capable Of Running Generative AI Features
It was the first time in many years that Apple skipped an annual launch of its low-cost tablet in 2024, likely because it wanted to equip the iPad 11 with hardware that would be capable of tackling a multitude of tasks and unveiling it too early potentially meant that it would cannibalize other devices. Now that we are about to touch January 15, we have stumbled across some exciting news concerning the iPad 10 successor, particularly its chipset upgrade, claiming that the slate will feature an A17 Pro, the same SoC featured in last year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. At this time, the iPad 10, currently listed on Amazon for $299 at its lowest price, features an A14 Bionic, along with 4GB of RAM. While this configuration is more than plentiful to transform an Apple tablet into a capable tablet substitute, you will miss out on being able to enjoy AAA games and running generative AI features that come under the Apple Intelligence umbrella. Thankfully, this should not be a problem for the iPad 11, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes in his latest 'Power On' newsletter that the new affordable tablet will be equipped with an A17 Pro. Assuming that Apple does intend to provide 'out of the box' support for generative AI features for the iPad 11, it is also likely that the slate will ship with 8GB RAM as the bare minimum. This is excellent news for customers wanting to pick up the upcoming low-cost model as they will not have to spend a ludicrous sum to run Apple Intelligence. However, given that we are expected to see some incredible hardware changes between two tablet generations, these upgrades will likely come at a cost. For instance, the current-generation iPad 10 was priced slightly higher than the iPad 9 when it was first released as it boasted a newer design plus a USB-C port. Sadly, Gurman did not share the pricing details of the iPad 11, but given that the iPad mini 7 can be had for as low as $479 on Amazon for the base storage and ships with the A17 Pro and 8GB RAM configuration, we might see the low-cost model stamped with a $429 figure. Currently, we do not know what other compromises Apple intends to make to differentiate the iPad mini 7 and iPad 11, but we will find out in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.
[2]
Apple's 11th Generation iPad Could Be Equipped With This Processor
Apple reportedly faced issues with TSMC's 3nm process for A17 Pro SoC Two of Apple's entry-level iPad models may be powered by an older chipset instead of the latest A18 processor, according to a report. The device in question is the iPad (11th generation) whose purported variants are speculated to use the same chip as the iPhone 15 Pro models despite previously reported issues related to high cost of manufacturing and low yields. Courtesy of this newer chipset, the tablet may have support for Apple Intelligence -- the company's latest software features that are powered by artificial intelligence (AI). In the latest edition of his weekly Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman detailed information about the purported iPad 11th generation. It is expected to use the same A17 Pro chipset from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The device may become the second iPad in Apple's lineup to run on this processor, following the launch of the iPad Mini (7th generation) in October 2024. The two models -- J481 and J482 -- are speculated to debut with 8GB of RAM, which means it is expected to offer support for Apple Intelligence features, just like the more expensive iPad Mini model. The journalist writes that Apple was expected to move away from the A17 Pro chipset due to issues reported in the past. TSMC, which is Apple's supplier of the SoC, was said to be struggling with the first generation 3nm N3B process due to high cost and low yields. Further, it did not offer a massive performance gain over its predecessor. As a result, Apple was tipped to not use this feature in its high-volume products, such as the base iPad. Notably, the company refrained from using the said chipset in any of the iPhone 16 models and jumped to the A18 Pro chip built using the second-generation 3nm technology instead. If Gurman's claims are accurate, it appears that Apple could make an exception for the purported iPad (11th generation) model. While the iPad Mini (7th generation) was powered by a binned version of A17 Pro with a 5-core GPU, it remains unclear if the same variant will be used in the purported base iPad too.
Share
Share
Copy Link
Apple's upcoming entry-level iPad 11 is rumored to receive a significant upgrade with the A17 Pro chip, potentially bringing generative AI features to the affordable tablet line.
Apple's Entry-Level iPad Set for Major Upgrade
Apple's upcoming 11th generation iPad is poised for a significant performance boost, according to recent reports. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in his 'Power On' newsletter, suggests that the new affordable tablet will feature the A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
1
.A17 Pro: Powering AI Features
The inclusion of the A17 Pro chip is particularly noteworthy as it could enable the iPad 11 to support Apple's generative AI features, collectively known as Apple Intelligence. This move would bring advanced capabilities to the entry-level iPad line, potentially including improved natural language processing and on-device machine learning
2
.RAM Upgrade and Model Variants
Alongside the processor upgrade, the new iPad is expected to come with 8GB of RAM, a significant increase from the 4GB found in the current iPad 10. This boost in memory is crucial for supporting AI features and enhancing overall performance. Gurman's report mentions two model variants, J481 and J482, both likely to feature this improved hardware configuration
2
.Unexpected Move Amidst Manufacturing Challenges
The decision to use the A17 Pro chip in the entry-level iPad comes as a surprise to some industry observers. Previously, there were reports of issues with TSMC's 3nm process used for manufacturing the A17 Pro, including high costs and low yields. These challenges had led to speculation that Apple might avoid using this chip in high-volume products like the base iPad
2
.Potential Price Increase
While the hardware upgrades are promising, they may come at a cost. The current iPad 10, featuring an A14 Bionic chip, is available for as low as $299. However, given the significant improvements, the iPad 11 could see a price increase. Estimates suggest it might be priced around $429, positioning it between the current model and the iPad mini 7, which retails for $479
1
.Related Stories
Market Positioning and Strategy
Apple's decision to equip the entry-level iPad with such powerful hardware could be seen as a strategic move. By bringing AI capabilities to its most affordable tablet, Apple may be aiming to broaden the appeal of its iPad line and potentially capture a larger market share in the increasingly AI-focused tech landscape
1
2
.Launch Timeline and Expectations
While an exact launch date hasn't been confirmed, the absence of an iPad release in 2024 suggests that Apple may be gearing up for an early 2025 launch. This timing could allow Apple to fine-tune its AI features and ensure the new iPad can fully leverage the capabilities of the A17 Pro chip
1
.As anticipation builds for the iPad 11, consumers and industry watchers alike are keen to see how Apple will balance advanced features with affordability in its entry-level tablet offering.
References
Summarized by
Navi
[2]
Related Stories
Weekly Highlights
Weekly Highlights
Explore today's top stories
Your Daily Dose of Curated AI News
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Spend less time searching for the latest in AI and get straight to action.
