2026 iPad preview: What to expect from Apple’s next tablet lineup

The iPad lineup has settled into a predictable and stable update cycle in recent years. Major redesigns are rare, with Apple mostly focusing on internal upgrades such as faster chips, better displays, and incremental refinements. And according to multiple rumors, we already have an idea of what to expect from the iPad lineup in 2026.

Based on information reported by Macworld and other reliable sources, Apple is gearing up to launch another wave of minor iPad refreshes with spec bumps. Read on as we detail which iPads will be updated and which won’t over the course of the coming year.

Entry-level, 12th-gen iPad: A much faster chip

The base model iPad is certainly the right choice for most people who just want a good tablet at an affordable price. This iPad is especially popular in the education segment, with Apple offering it for only $329 to students. In 2025, Apple gave its iPad such a small update that it wasn’t even capable of running Apple Intelligence, but in 2026, it looks like it will get a much more significant spec bump.

As previously reported by Macworld, the 12th-generation iPad is expected to debut in 2026 with the faster A19 chip, replacing the A16 found in the current 11th-generation model. The A19 chip is the same as the one in the iPhone 17, and is more than 50 percent faster than the A16 chip in the current iPad.

With the upgrade, the entry-level iPad will finally support more advanced capabilities, including Apple Intelligence. It will also become a great option for gamers, as the A19 chip can run console-level games with ease.

In addition to the A19 chip, Apple is also expected to bring its new N1 wireless chip to the new iPad. This is Apple’s first custom wireless chip to handle both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, delivering both better performance and energy efficiency.

Reports suggest that Apple will keep the same overall design, display, and camera system. This means that the 12th-gen iPad will likely have the same 60Hz LCD panel as the current generation, as well as Touch ID in the power button.

While the idea of having the same design and display for another year may not sound exciting, most buyers looking for an entry-level iPad are more interested in having a reliable tablet at a lower price. The A19 chip will make the next entry-level iPad very future-proof.

iPad Air: M4 comes to the middle of the lineup

The iPad Air has increasingly become Apple’s “sweet spot” tablet, offering near-Pro performance without the Pro price tag. In 2026, that positioning looks set to continue.

Macworld has reported that Apple plans to update the iPad Air with the M4 chip, replacing the current M3. The jump from M3 to M4 isn’t significant, but most users don’t upgrade their iPad every year anyway. The idea is certainly to make the product more appealing to first-time buyers or those upgrading from a much older iPad.

The upgrade appears to be almost entirely internal. Just like the next entry-level iPad model, the M4 iPad Air will also feature Apple’s N1 wireless chip and possibly the C1 modem. Otherwise, the design, display, and cameras are all expected to remain unchanged. The current iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch screen options, both with a 60Hz LCD panel.

Apple is comfortable with the current Air design, which already supports Magic Keyboard and the latest Apple Pencil Pro. Plus, the iPad Air is already compatible with features including Apple Intelligence and Stage Manager.

In short, the iPad Air will get even better and more powerful with M4, just don’t expect it to have the same fancy display and design as the iPad Pro.

iPad mini: The next to get OLED

While both the entry-level iPad and iPad Air will retain the same display technology for another year, the next generation of iPad mini may surprise us with a more modern display.

According to Bloomberg, the 8th-gen iPad mini could feature an OLED panel for the first time. Other sources have already corroborated that the smallest iPad will have its LCD screen replaced by an OLED display made by Samsung.

OLED panels are brighter and have better contrast than LCD, as each pixel is controlled individually. Currently, the iPad Pro is the only iPad to feature OLED, though it’s unclear whether the OLED panel in the new iPad mini will feature ProMotion with a higher refresh rate or remain limited to 60Hz.

When it comes to performance, MacRumors reported that the iPad mini 8 will be powered by the A19 Pro chip – the same as the iPhone 17 Pro models. The chip is about 30 percent faster than the A17 Pro in the iPad mini 7. It’s not a huge leap, but it’s enough to keep the iPad mini on par with the latest Apple devices. In addition, a separate Bloomberg report suggested that the next iPad mini could be the first water-resistant iPad.

Unfortunately for iPad mini fans, rumors about the release date are quite conflicting. While some believe it may arrive in late 2026, it seems more likely that the iPad mini 8 will be held back until 2027.

iPad Pro: Don’t expect a new model anytime soon

Of all the iPads Apple makes, the one least likely to make headlines next year is the iPad Pro. That’s because Apple has just released the M5 iPad Pro, and a new model is unlikely to arrive until spring 2027, about 18 months after the release of the latest model.

According to rumors, Apple is already working on a new iPad Pro with the yet-to-be-announced M6 chip. However, the M6 is still a year away from being announced, as is the next generation of iPad Pro.

In addition to the new chip, the next generation of iPad Pro is also rumored to feature vapor chamber cooling, just like the iPhone 17 Pro. Given that Apple has already refreshed the iPad Pro design with the M4 models in 2024, another redesign for 2027 is highly unlikely.

Should you buy a new iPad now or wait?

Whether you should buy an iPad now or wait depends largely on which model you’re considering and the age of your current iPad.

If you’re looking at the entry-level model, waiting for the next generation is definitely worth it. Despite no changes to the design or display, the jump from the A16 to the A19 chip will not only bring significantly better performance, but also enable support for more iPadOS features.

For the iPad Air, the decision is less clear-cut. The move from M3 to M4 won’t dramatically change the experience for most users, and the current iPad Air is already extremely capable. If you find a good deal on an M3 iPad Air, buying now still makes sense.

iPad mini buyers may want to hold off if possible. An OLED display and A19 Pro chip would be meaningful upgrades, even if the release timeline remains unclear. That said, if you need a compact iPad today, the current model remains a solid option, especially given that the new mini may not arrive until 2027.

As for the iPad Pro, don’t hesitate to buy one. With the M5 models just released and no major update expected in the near future, there’s little reason to wait unless you’re specifically holding out for next-generation features like vapor chamber cooling.

Take a look at Apple’s plans for 2026 for what else could be coming this year.