Apple is reportedly planning major updates for its iPad lineup in 2026. After launching the iPad Pro (2025), the company now appears to be working on refreshed versions of both the entry-level iPad and the iPad Air. A new report from Macworld suggests that the basic iPad will get Apple’s latest A19 chip, while the iPad Air will also receive a faster processor. Both models may adopt the same wireless technology introduced with the iPhone 17 series.
Entry-Level iPad Gets a Big Upgrade
Based on internal Apple documents and early iOS 26 code, the next entry-level iPad is being developed under the codenames J581 and J582. The biggest change expected is the move to the A19 chipset.
This is a significant jump from the current A16 processor. Apple says the A19 delivers around 50 percent better performance, and the new model is likely to include 8GB of RAM instead of the current 6GB. These improvements are important because the existing entry-level iPad does not support Apple Intelligence, while the upcoming model is expected to handle it easily.
Connectivity and Design
The 2026 base iPad may also include Apple’s new N1 wireless networking chip, which debuted in the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. This chip replaces older Broadcom components and brings support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and thread networking.
Even with these internal changes, the overall design, display, and camera setup are expected to stay the same as the current generation.
iPad Air Will Also Get Faster
Macworld’s report also outlines upgrades for the upcoming iPad Air. Identified with the codenames J707, J708, J737, and J738, the new iPad Air is rumored to switch to the M4 chip. This should deliver a noticeable but moderate bump in performance.
Just like the refreshed base model, the next iPad Air is likely to keep its existing display and camera hardware. It is also expected to adopt the new N1 wireless networking chip for improved connectivity across Apple devices.
