Apple plans to release an updated base iPad in the first half of 2026 — with a new processor, Apple Intelligence support, and improved Wi-Fi. The current model with the A16 chip remains the only iPad without support for Apple’s AI features, and this update is meant to fix that. After the chip upgrade, choosing a new iPad will become much easier, and you won’t have to sacrifice important features. Here’s what’s known so far and who should wait versus who should buy now.
What is known about the new iPad 11. Image: cnet.com
When Will the New iPad 2026 Be Released
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the updated iPad is on Apple’s roadmap for the iOS 26.4 release window — approximately by May 2026. It was initially expected that the tablet would be shown at Apple’s March events, but on March 4, the company only presented the updated iPad Air with the M4 chip. The base iPad was held back, likely so it wouldn’t cannibalize Air sales.
This is a rumor from a reliable insider, but not an official confirmation from Apple. There’s no exact date yet, but spring 2026 looks like a realistic timeframe.
What Processor Will the New iPad Have: A19 or A18
The main question is which chip the updated tablet will get. Sources differ: some mention the A18 (the same chip as in the iPhone 16), others — the A19 (the chip from iPhone 17). A leak from Apple’s code points to devices with codenames J581 and J582 with an A19 processor inside.
The tablet will keep the old design and full color palette. Image: cultofmac.com
Both options represent a significant leap forward compared to the A16 in the current iPad:
- The A19 is approximately 50% faster than the A16 in the current model — a noticeable difference in interface responsiveness, gaming, and multitasking
- The A19 has a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU (though Apple may disable one core in the iPad to reduce heat and power consumption)
- The A18, used in the iPhone 16 and the budget MacBook Neo, is also significantly more powerful than the A16
- Both chips come with 8 GB of RAM instead of 6 GB — that’s 30% more than the current model
Most importantly: both the A18 and A19 support Apple Intelligence. Specifically, 8 GB of RAM is the minimum requirement for Apple’s AI features to work. Even if you don’t plan to use Apple Intelligence, the extra memory will come in handy — apps will be unloaded from memory less frequently, and switching between tasks will be smoother.
What Will Change in iPad 2026 Compared to iPad A16
In addition to the chip, the new iPad is expected to feature an updated N1 wireless module — the same one Apple started using in the iPhone 17. It handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the Thread protocol (for smart home).
In practical terms, this means:
- Upgrade from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 6E — more stable connections in congested networks and slightly higher speeds
- Bluetooth upgrade from version 5.3 to 6.3 — improved performance with headphones and accessories
- Cellular models may feature the Apple C1 modem — the company’s own 5G chip
What apparently won’t change — the screen, body, and cameras. The tablet will most likely keep the same 11-inch LCD display with 2360×1640 resolution and 500 nits brightness, the same dimensions and weight (477 grams). OLED screens, which may appear in the iPad mini, Air, and Pro, won’t reach the base model yet.
The screen will remain the same. Still 11 inches. Image: macworld.com
The only possible camera update — a new 18 MP front-facing module instead of the current 12 MP. Apple started putting this camera in the iPhone 17. It could improve video call quality, although the automatic framing feature (where the camera tracks your face) already exists in the current model.
How Much Will iPad 2026 Cost in Russia
The current base iPad costs $349 in the US. Apple lowered the price from $449 in May 2024 and simultaneously doubled the storage — to 128 GB from the previous 64 GB. There’s a chance that the new iPad’s price will stay at $349, but Macworld notes two risk factors: trade tariffs and rising RAM costs on the global market.
If the US price stays at $349, then at current exchange rates the estimated cost in Russia would be approximately 38,000 ₽ and up. However, Russian specifics must be considered: Apple products enter the country through parallel or gray imports (most often through the UAE), which adds logistics costs. The actual retail price in Russian stores may end up higher than the calculated estimate — especially in the first weeks after release when demand is at its peak. If Apple raises the price even to $399, the Russian cost would increase to approximately 43,000 ₽ and above.
What’s Better: Buy iPad 2025 or Wait for iPad 2026
The current 11th-generation iPad (March 2025, A16 chip) is a good tablet for basic tasks: video, browser, notes, studying. It costs less, and if you don’t need Apple’s AI features, it handles everything perfectly well.
It will be impossible to tell the old iPad from the new one by appearance. Image: phonearena.com
But there’s a strong argument for waiting:
- iPad 2025 is the only iPad without Apple Intelligence support. This means some new iOS and iPadOS features will simply be unavailable
- The A16 chip with 6 GB of RAM is already a minimum configuration by 2026 standards. The comfortable usage lifespan will be shorter
- The new iPad with A19 will get approximately 50% more performance and 30% more memory — possibly at the same price
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.3 in the new model will provide current connectivity standards for the next 3–4 years
If you’re buying an iPad for a child for school or for yourself for content consumption and don’t plan to replace it for 3–4 years, waiting until spring 2026 is a sensible decision. The difference between the models isn’t in design, but in the performance headroom and support for future features. If you need a tablet right now and your budget is limited, the iPad 2025 with A16 still works well — just without Apple Intelligence and with less future-proofing.
For those considering the iPad Air or iPad Pro, the situation with the base iPad doesn’t apply — those have more powerful processors, and Apple Intelligence is already supported. The 2026 update matters specifically for those choosing the most affordable Apple tablet.
