This year, Apple is expected to update most of its iPad collection. The company initiated a new iPad generation with the debut of the M5 iPad Pro in October, and every other iPad in the series will follow suit later this year. These are the latest speculations.
## M4 iPad Air
The first significant iPad release of the year will likely be the upcoming iPad Air model, possibly arriving in March. This will incorporate the M4 chip into the iPad Air, offering another 10-20% increase in performance compared to the M3 chip.
With the launch of the N1 chip and the C1X modem in the M5 iPad Pro, it’s likely that the forthcoming iPad Air will also transition to Apple’s proprietary modem and networking chips. This will facilitate quicker cellular connectivity and support for Wi-Fi 7.
Aside from internal chip advancements, there aren’t many evident enhancements for the M4 iPad Air. Possible but unconfirmed updates could include a 600 nit display (which is currently exclusive to the 13-inch model) and new color variations. A 90 or 120Hz screen would also be a welcome feature.
While OLED has been anticipated for the iPad Air, it most likely won’t debut until 2027 or beyond.
## A19 iPad
Following that, the budget iPad, priced at $349 but frequently available for $299 during sales, is rumored to receive the A19 chip. This enhancement is more than just a specification upgrade, as it will introduce Apple Intelligence capabilities to the budget iPad for the first time.
Like the iPad Air, the budget iPad is also likely to adopt Apple’s proprietary N1 chip and C1X modem.
Personally, I’d really like to see a proper keyboard for the budget iPad, something akin to the Magic Keyboard available for iPad Air and iPad Pro. As it stands, the budget iPad is limited to the Magic Keyboard Folio, which only allows for use on a table, as it requires a kickstand for support.
The iPad is expected to receive the A19 chip sometime in the first half of 2026.
## A19 Pro iPad mini
Lastly, the iPad mini is poised for its first refresh since 2024. This update will likely bring the A19 Pro chip, but it will also present a much larger upgrade… OLED.
This upgrade is anticipated to occur later this year; however, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is focusing on the iPad mini to be its next significant product to transition. Apple first introduced OLED to the iPad Pro back in early 2024 with the M4 model, having initially brought it to the iPhone lineup beginning in 2017.
In addition to the OLED and A19 Pro chip, the next iPad mini is reportedly going to incorporate a more water-resistant design, according to Bloomberg.
The iPad mini has not undergone a significant redesign since 2021. Based on these rumors, it appears that Apple has significant plans for the 5-year anniversary of that initial redesign.
## Wrap up
Overall, it’s a relatively quiet year for iPad, excluding the iPad mini.
Looking ahead, Apple intends to integrate a vapor chamber cooling system into the M6 iPad Pro, which is set to launch in early 2027. However, that’s somewhat outside the range of this discussion.
If none of these updates pique your interest and you’re satisfied with the current iPad models, there are currently discounts on the current generation iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro ranging from $50-100 off.
