iPad 12: Where Apple's new entry-level iPad is missing
New MacBooks, new displays, new iPad Air, and an iPhone 17e: Many predictions for Apple Week came true. But what about the entry-level iPad?
iPad 11 by Apple: The latest version of the entry-level tablet is not that old.
(Image: Apple)
Many new products were released by Apple during the past “Apple Week,” and now the MacBook Neo, the new Studio Display models, MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5 Max, and M5 Pro, as well as the iPad Air M4 and iPhone 17e, are going on sale. Anyone who paid attention will notice a missing hardware item despite the large product rollout: a new edition of the entry-level iPad. The current model, the iPad 11, comes with an A16 processor and was released almost a year ago. Despite improvements, the current version is not ideal, which is why rumors had expected an update.
Hoping for a new chip
Because: With the iPad 11, the use of Apple Intelligence is not possible by default due to the A16 SoC. However, since Apple is heavily promoting its AI system and the technology now works with all iPhones (including iPhone 16e and 17e), it was expected that Apple would jump to the A18 for the iPad 12 – or, more likely, at least to the A17 from the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Both SoCs support Apple Intelligence and would have ensured that all iPads are now ready for Apple's AI system.
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On the other hand, no major further innovations are expected for the iPad 12. Little is likely to change regarding the 10-inch form factor or other features such as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor – possibly there would have been new colors and/or slightly improved camera sensors. If Apple had released the iPad 12 this month, the company would have landed on an annual cycle for its entry-level iPads. Previously, the company updated the model, which is particularly popular in schools, sporadically: the iPad 10 was released in October 2022.
April, October – and the question of the chip
An introduction in March is no longer to be expected – unless the manufacturer waits a few more weeks and then releases it. April would be another possible date, perhaps together with new M5 desktops like the Mac mini or the iMac. However, a postponement to autumn is also conceivable. October was once the standard date for new tablets.
Meanwhile, information even circulated in the scene that Apple could equip the iPad 12 with the latest A19 chip – albeit a cut-down version with fewer cores – so that the device is up to date. The e-models like the 16e and 17e, which received the latest chips, would serve as a model.
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