Apple is counting down the days to update its budget-friendly tablet lineup. While the company won’t make any major design changes with the 12th-generation iPad, it will offer some innovations worth waiting for. If you’re thinking about buying one now, you might want to wait until next spring.

The 12th-generation iPad is Powered by the A18

The biggest surprise of the new model will be its processor. Rumors suggest the device will be powered by the A18 chip used in the iPhone 16 series. This 3-nanometer processor will elevate the gaming experience with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Most importantly, it will support artificial intelligence. The power needed for Apple Intelligence will be offered in this model, along with an 8GB RAM increase. The 2026 model will surpass its predecessor in intelligence.

Users won’t notice any changes to the exterior. Apple maintains the Touch ID-integrated power button and thick bezel design. The device will still come with a standard LED display, which isn’t laminated and doesn’t support ProMotion. At 7mm, it will remain Apple’s thickest tablet. However, new hues may be added to the blue, pink, silver, and yellow colors.

The hardware revolution isn’t limited to the processor. Apple plans to integrate its own N1 chip into this model. This will support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 technologies. Users will be able to access 6 GHz network speeds for the first time. Furthermore, the Apple-designed C1 modems used in cellular models will offer better battery life compared to Qualcomm’s.

The calendar is looking at spring 2026. Apple is expected to unveil the new tablet between March 20 and June 20, likely alongside the new iPad Air. There’s good news regarding pricing. Despite the major hardware upgrades, the 128GB model is still likely to start at $349.

So, what are your thoughts on the 12th generation iPad? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!