Apple Reportedly Plans Three New iPads for First Half of 2027

Apple is reportedly preparing to refresh its entire iPad lineup in the first half of 2027, with new versions of the standard iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro all in the pipeline, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The reported roadmap would bring hardware improvements across the company's budget, mid-range, and premium tablet tiers.

The upcoming models are expected to offer faster processors, improved displays, and better cooling technology. The report follows Apple's recent introduction of a new iPad mini featuring an OLED display, suggesting the company is steadily modernizing display technology across its tablet family.

The most closely watched update concerns the entry-level iPad, potentially named the iPad 12. Earlier reports indicate Apple plans to equip it with the A19 processor and 8GB of RAM, a substantial jump from the A16 chip in the current model. That hardware boost would allow the cheapest iPad to support Apple Intelligence for the first time, bringing the company's AI features to its most affordable tablet.

Connectivity is also expected to improve. The new entry-level model is tipped to include Apple's N1 wireless networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, while cellular variants could use Apple's C1X modem for faster 5G speeds and better power efficiency. Together, these changes would make the standard iPad considerably more capable without pushing buyers toward pricier models.

Apple is also reportedly preparing a significant display upgrade for the iPad Air, though details remain limited. The iPad Pro, the company's premium tablet line, is expected to receive performance and thermal improvements as part of the same refresh cycle.

None of the plans have been confirmed by Apple, and the reported timeline places the launches well into the future. Still, the rumors offer an early look at how the company intends to keep its tablet lineup competitive as AI features become a central selling point across its devices.