Cheapest iPad with Apple Intelligence and new Siri coming this year, assures Apple analyst

The cheapest iPad is getting the AI treatment soon.

Apple is reportedly preparing an iPad 12 launch for late 2026 featuring a massive A-series chip upgrade. This move aims to bring Apple Intelligence and a smarter Siri to the company’s most affordable tablet.

Martin Filipov, Published 03/23/2026

Apple AI iPad Tablet

Apple’s recent product wave refreshed several of the brand's product lines, yet the entry-level iPad remains notably behind. Now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new iPad 12 is "ready to go" and set for release before the end of 2026.

While earlier reports suggested the device might jump straight to the A19 chip (as used in the iPhone 17), Bloomberg’s analyst says the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 is the more likely candidate to power the tablet. Both the A18 and A19 come with 8GB of RAM - just enough to run Apple Intelligence.

Apple’s clear goal is to prepare its entire portfolio of iPhones, iPads, and Macs for the arrival of Apple Intelligence. This hardware bump ensures the entry-level iPad can handle the upcoming AI-driven features, including the redesigned, smarter Siri and advanced writing tools.

Unfortunately, aside from the processor upgrade, no significant design changes are expected, maintaining the aesthetic of the current chassis - just as predicted earlier. But who knows - perhaps Apple can still surprise everyone with a generous upgrade to 256GB base storage, for example.

The current entry-level iPad 11 (released in March 2025) is the most affordable iPad you can buy (directly from Apple). It features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the A16 Bionic chip (with 6GB of RAM), as well as a USB-C port, a landscape-oriented 12MP front camera and compatibility with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio.