Anyone hoping for an updated entry-level iPad that can handle Apple Intelligence should prepare for a bit of a wait.
Despite a flurry of new Apple products coming this month, the updated tablets reportedly won’t arrive until next year. But when they do, they should bring support for Apple’s latest AI features.
Entry-level iPad joins a growing 2027 list
With Apple recently hiking prices across the board due to a spike in RAM and storage costs, the entry-level iPad seems more important than ever for budget-conscious consumers.
However, the current model doesn’t support Apple Intelligence or Siri AI — the flagship features of iPadOS 27 and a major focus of Apple’s current marketing. That makes the extended wait for a new entry-level iPad disappointing to consumers and dicey for Cupertino.
“This iPad update can’t come soon enough,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in his Sunday Power On newsletter. “Apple is facing fresh competition from Amazon models, and having something compelling at the low end is crucial after recent price increases. But we’ll have to wait a little bit longer. I am still hearing that the new entry-level models (code-named J581 and J582) aren’t arriving until early next year.”
What to expect from next year’s iPad
The next-gen entry-level iPad should come with major improvements, according to code found in Apple’s software last month. It points to an A19 chip paired with 8GB of memory. That combination should let the tablet run Apple Intelligence.
The same code reportedly pointed to a C1X modem with sub-6GHz 5G support. An N1 networking chip would mean the iPad could support Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
The upcoming entry-level iPad could cost the same as the current model. This means we could see it with a starting price tag around $449.
Other new Apple products set for 2027
The new entry-level iPads aren’t the only Apple tablets getting worthwhile upgrades in 2027.
“Other iPads coming in 2027 include a major update to the Air that adds an OLED screen and a refreshed iPad Pro that potentially gets a vapor chamber — helping reduce heat and boost performance,” Gurman wrote.
Updates are also coming next year to the MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo and the iPhone Air. Plus, Apple should launch the entry-level iPhone 18 as well as an iPhone 18e, according to Gurman.
What’s coming from Apple in October
Luckily, we’ve got plenty of great Apple products coming this month.
A special “Apple Experience” set for Tuesday should showcase Apple’s long-delayed smart home hub, reportedly called the HomeView.
A second Apple product launch, which Gurman says should happen around October 27, should bring new Macs — including the first touchscreen MacBook Pro — and the first OLED iPad mini.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
