I have not purchased an iPad in 5 years, however 2026 will change that

Since I bought my first iPad again in 2010, I’ve at all times had one by my facet. I really like utilizing it for watching movies, studying the information, and checking my e-mail all through the day. It is merely good to have a tool with an even bigger display than my iPhone that is nonetheless so moveable.

That mentioned, whereas Apple updates the iPad yearly to make it extra highly effective, the final one I purchased was my trusty M1 iPad Professional in 2021. Since then, I have not felt a lot urge to improve. The design nonetheless appears to be like nice, and the efficiency and battery life have held up impressively over the previous 5 years.

However 2026 would possibly lastly be the yr I really feel that improve itch. Why? Based on Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a trusted supply for Apple leaks, Apple is planning three new iPad refreshes this yr, and among the upgrades are precisely what I’ve lengthy hoped for.

The bottom-model iPad is perhaps getting the improve it deserves

Extra efficiency and options

First up, let’s discuss concerning the base-model iPad. Final yr, Apple refreshed it with an A16 chip. It was good to see Apple’s most inexpensive iPad get some consideration, however the improve felt a bit underwhelming: the chipset enhance wasn’t vital, and it does not help Apple Intelligence, leaving it locked out of any new AI options Apple has been including to its units, like Picture Playground or its Writing Instruments.

For 2026, Apple appears prepared to repair that. Based on Gurman, in 2026, the base-model iPad is predicted to be upgraded with an A18 chip, making it considerably sooner and eventually capable of help Apple Intelligence. Which means you can use Apple Intelligence on Apple’s most inexpensive iPad, as a substitute of being locked out except you spend more cash on an iPad Air, Mini, or Professional.

With Siri’s long-awaited AI replace on the horizon — making Siri extra customized and conversational — having Apple Intelligence on the bottom iPad might be a serious promoting level this yr, but additionally, the A18 chipset, which first debuted within the iPhone 16, is much more fashionable and shall be an enormous improve by way of efficiency and battery life. The entry-level iPad has been lengthy overdue for this kind of improve, and if all these upgrades pan out as Gurman suggests, I am going to undoubtedly be selecting one as much as change my mother and father’ growing old iPad.

The iPad Mini might lastly get a greater display

The OLED dream would possibly come true this yr

The iPad Mini is the improve I am most enthusiastic about. I’ve at all times wished an iPad Mini as a result of it is so moveable, however the display has at all times held me again. For starters, it does not help ProMotion, so that you’re caught with a 60Hz refresh fee. On high of that, it is an LCD quite than OLED, which implies it misses out on the deep blacks, larger distinction, and total effectivity that the iPad Professional’s OLED shows ship.

That is reportedly set to alter in 2026. Gurman stories that the iPad Mini will get an OLED display this yr, which ought to convey two huge enhancements: a high-refresh-rate display and one which’s way more color-accurate. Each will make the iPad Mini higher for watching exhibits and films and for photograph/video enhancing.

There’s one potential draw back, although: Gurman notes that the OLED improve might bump the worth by about $100. The iPad Mini presently begins at $499, so it might leap to $599. That stings a bit, however as somebody who’s been ready for these upgrades and needs a smaller iPad, I believe it’s going to be price it. Even at $599, it’s nonetheless far cheaper than the iPad Professional, which begins at $1,000, and it will be a noticeable improve from my 11-inch iPad Professional’s LCD display.

The iPad Air’s improve is not as thrilling

Apple’s new iPads might launch quickly

In comparison with the base-model iPad and the iPad Mini, the iPad Air’s potential improve this yr feels a bit underwhelming. Gurman stories it’s going to get the M4 chip, which is a slight efficiency enhance over the M3 iPad Air, but it surely does not actually change the iPad Air in any main method — particularly in comparison with the iPad getting the A18 and Apple Intelligence, or the iPad Mini getting an OLED display.

As for launch timing, the base-model iPad and the iPad Air reportedly might arrive very quickly. That strains up with final yr, when Apple refreshed each fashions at first of March.

The iPad Mini’s launch is much less clear. Its final refresh was in November 2024, so Apple would possibly maintain off till later within the yr to roll out the OLED mannequin. That timing would make sense, particularly since Apple can also be rumored to be upgrading the MacBook Professional with an OLED display across the identical time.

General, I am actually excited concerning the adjustments Apple is reportedly making to its iPads this yr. I exploit my M1 iPad Professional day by day, however I get probably the most use out of it once I’m touring, which is why I’ve wished to modify to an iPad Mini. Nonetheless, the iPad Mini’s lackluster display specs have at all times held me again. Evidently in 2026, which may lastly change because of its improve to OLED. And for anybody trying to get Apple’s most inexpensive iPad, the efficiency and have upgrades with the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence shall be a game-changer. I think Apple will promote quite a lot of iPads this yr due to it.