Apple’s Entry-Level iPad With A18 Chip And Apple Intelligence Still Set For 2026 Launch

Apple is preparing to launch a new entry-level iPad with an A18 chip and support for Apple Intelligence, with the device still on track to arrive in 2026. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the product is “ready to go” and remains scheduled for release this year, positioning it as the final iPad model to gain Apple’s AI features.

A18 Chip Enables Apple Intelligence On Entry-Level iPad

The upcoming model is expected to move from the A16 chip in the current iPad to the A18, enabling support for Apple Intelligence. That shift is significant because the base iPad is currently the only model in Apple’s lineup without access to the company’s on-device and cloud-assisted AI features.

The A18 chip, already used in the iPhone 16 lineup, is designed to handle Apple Intelligence tasks such as text generation, summarization, and system-wide assistance. Bringing that capability to the lowest-cost iPad expands Apple’s AI platform across its entire tablet range.

Launch Window And Scope Of Changes

The device has been on Apple’s internal roadmap for a release aligned with the iOS 26.4 cycle, which runs through the first half of 2026. With that software update nearing completion, the hardware is expected to debut within the same timeframe. Gurman indicated the product is ready for launch, suggesting that timing now depends on Apple’s release schedule rather than development readiness.

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No major design or hardware changes have been reported for the new model. The iPad is expected to retain the same overall design as the current generation, with the A18 upgrade serving as the primary update. There are indications that Apple could introduce its in-house connectivity components, including a C1 modem and N1 networking chip, though those details remain unconfirmed.

Apple last updated the base iPad in March 2025 with the A16 chip, starting at $349 in the United States. With the addition of Apple Intelligence, the next model would bring feature parity with the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, completing Apple’s transition to AI-capable hardware across its tablet lineup.