iPad 12th Gen (2026) release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
iPad (A16) for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
iPad 12th gen: what to expect
What's expected to change vs iPad (A16):
- A18 chipset should be more powerful and energy efficient
- A19 chipset also possible instead
- Similar design, around 10.9-inch IPS LCD Liquid Retina display with relatively "thick" bezels
- Apple Intelligence coming to the entry-level iPad
- Still 60 Hz display refresh rate
- Same cameras as predecessor: 12 MP main camera, 12 MP selfie camera
- Touch ID for authentication
- Around 7,698 mAh battery cell
- iPadOS 26 or iPadOS 27, depending on release
- Potentially, a rebrand may happen to the iPad 12th gen
- By tradition, Apple unveils "entry-level" iPad models in the spring.
- This time around, however, Apple didn't reveal the iPad in the spring. Potentially, the device is coming later in the year.
Expected price:
- Currently, the price is expected to remain the same as its predecessor: starting at $349.
Jump to:
iPad 12th gen release date
The iPad 12th gen was a no-show alongside the iPad Air in early March, even though rumors pointed to a spring launch. We're currently expecting the new budget iPad to arrive sometime in the fall of 2026.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| iPad 12th gen | Fall 2026* | Fall 2026* |
| iPad 11th gen | March 4, 2025 | March 12, 2025 |
| iPad 10th gen | October 18, 2022 | October 26, 2022 |
| iPad 9th gen | September 14, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
* - probable dates
It is believed that the most basic iPad missing from the announcements in the first week of March was a strategic move by Cupertino.
Curiously enough, now a new report indicates that the iPad 12th gen may be in for a rebranding. Following the example of the MacBook Neo, the base iPad may become the "iPad Neo".
This report, however, is based on a theory and on comments made by Apple's John Ternus and Greg Joswiak about the MacBook's name. Apple has also been streamlining its budget lineup with the iPhone SE becoming an iPhone 16e and this new entry-level MacBook, so a rebranding is not entirely out of the cards for the iPad.
iPad 12th gen price
Apple's next iPad will likely land with a price tag of around $349. Rumors are yet to say if we're going to get a price hike.
| iPad model | 128 GB of storage | 256 GB of storage | 512 GB of storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 12th gen | $349* | $449* | $649* |
| iPad 11th gen | $349 | $449 | $649 |
| iPad 10th gen | $349 (for 64 GB) | $599 | - |
*- anticipated price
We have the potential chip shortages to consider, which have been influencing the entire tech world. There's a chance the final price may creep up a bit by the time the tablet actually hits the shelves.
We'll have to wait and see to know for sure, but Apple competitors like Samsung have been raising their mobile tech prices this year and don't seem to be ready to stop.
iPad 12th gen camera
Entry-level iPads aren't built to be photography powerhouses. Instead, they come with modest cameras for video calls and work meetings (and that's precisely what most people use them for anyway).
Much like the current iPad 11th gen, the next one should also have one single camera on the back. | Image by PhoneArena
Rumors claim that the selfie camera will stay on the longer, landscape side of the tablet. This makes FaceTime and Zoom calls feel much more natural, since you're already looking at the screen in landscape. It's a smart move that Apple is likely to stick with.
As for security, don't expect Face ID this time around. The base iPad will likely come with Touch ID built into the power button.
Here’s what to expect from the iPad 12th gen cameras:
- 12 MP main camera
- 12 MP selfie camera
iPad 12th gen storage
Apple finally raised the bar with the current iPad model, and the next regular iPad looks set to keep that energy going by offering three storage options, including a more generous 512 GB version.
The base model is expected to kick off at 128 GB, which is a nice jump up from the previous 64 GB base that was starting to feel a little cramped for what most users need these days. This update should give users plenty more room for apps, media, and files without having to worry about running out of space too quickly.
iPad 12th gen expected storage capacity:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
iPad 12th gen design
Reports say the design isn't going to change with the iPad 12th gen. Expect it to look almost exactly like the 10th and 11th-gen models, with those familiar even bezels and a 10.9-inch display.
Stereo speakers on both sides should be present as well. Colors are yet to leak, but Apple usually likes to keep things fun with some bright, vibrant options.
Its predecessor, the iPad (A16) sported four colors, three of which were vibrant and fun (Blue, Pink, and Yellow), accompanied by a more neutral Silver option. That's likely to be the color strategy this time around too.
The body is expected to stay aluminum, keeping that clean and durable build.
iPad 12th gen display
Up front, the next-gen base iPad will likely stick with the same 10.9-inch display introduced with the 10th-gen model. That means an IPS LCD Liquid Retina panel with a 2360 x 1640 resolution and 264 ppi pixel density. Sure, it’s starting to feel a bit dated, but maybe Apple will finally shake things up this time.
Expect the usual 60 Hz refresh rate and a modest 500 nits of SDR brightness. This brightness is relatively decent for indoor use but far from ideal under bright sunlight.
On the bright side, Apple’s top-notch color calibration helps the display look great, and it’ll continue to support the Apple Pencil (both Gen 1 and the newer USB-C version).
iPad 12th gen battery
iPads have stuck to a pretty consistent battery life target over the years (around 10 to 12 hours) and that’s not expected to change with the next model. The battery will likely be similar to the current one, around 7,698 mAh.
Obviously, this battery cell is not massive, but it gets the job done. In real-world use, especially for browsing, the iPad 12th gen's predecessor held up surprisingly well and could comfortably hit that 12-hour mark. The successor is likely to match this battery performance. If you're mostly watching videos, expect closer to 6 hours and 20 minutes.
iPad 12th gen features and software
Given that the iPad 12th gen didn't come in March, it's likely coming in the fall, which would mean it may ship with iPadOS 27.
iPadOS 26 brought some very useful features, including the updated Stage Manager 2 for multitasking with a Mac-like menu bar that shows up when you connect a keyboard. It also brought a new look dubbed "Liquid Glass" that unified Apple's OSes across different devices.
iPadOS 27 is not expected to be a huge update. It's likely going to be more refinement-centered, with bug fixes and stability enhancements.
The new OS is also expected to bring a revamped Siri, enhancements to first-party Apple apps, and refinements to Apple Intelligence.
As always, you can count on Apple’s long-term support, with around 6 years of software updates and 7 years of security patches.
Currently, the current base iPad doesn’t support Apple’s new AI features, called Apple Intelligence, but that is likely going to change. So, this iteration of the entry-level iPad will likely bring Apple Intelligence for the first time.
iPad 12th gen hardware and specs
Apple iPad 12th gen's expected specs:
- CPU: A18 or A19 chip
- RAM: potentially 8 GB
- Battery: around 7,698 mAh
- Charging: approximately 25W–30W wired charging speeds
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Camera setup: 12 MP main camera, 12 MP selfie camera
One thing is for certain: the 12th-gen iPad is getting a serious chip upgrade. The current model runs on the A16, and while an earlier Apple leak suggested the next version will jump straight to the A18, the same processor powering the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, now a newer one hints at the A19 being inside.
The A19 chipset is the same one powering the latest iPhone 17 series, and if Apple decides to use it in its base iPad model, it would represent a huge leap in performance compared to previous iPads.
However, it's important to note that most rumors still mention the A18 chip for the entry-level iPad, including analyst Mark Gurman. Reportedly, the chip should bring a 20% increase in power over the A16-powered model. The change would also bring 8 GB of RAM to the device and support for Apple Intelligence.
In addition to the chip upgrade, the iPad (2026) is also expected to include the N1 wireless chip found in the iPhone 17 family. The N1 should boost connectivity and overall capabilities.
Should I wait for the iPad 12th gen?
- You should wait for the iPad 12th gen if you're still using an older base model like the iPad 9. By the time the new one arrives, it’ll be the perfect moment to upgrade. Also, going with the latest version is usually a smart move.
- You should not wait for the iPad 12th gen if you already have the iPad 10th gen or just picked up the 11th gen: the improvements probably won’t be big enough to justify the switch. Also, if you need something more powerful for heavier tasks like video editing or pro-level multitasking, you’re better off looking at the iPad Air or Pro models instead.
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