Apple’s iPad 2026 will probably not be a completely new model, but it will get nice upgrades. This is what you can expect.
These are the most important new features of the iPad 2026
It looks like Apple will soon unveil a new entry-level iPad. Don’t expect a completely new look, because according to rumors, the design will remain largely as we know it.
New, faster chip
Where you will notice the biggest change is under the hood. The iPad 2026 has a newer chip, which makes apps open faster and everything feels a little smoother. This is especially nice if you switch between apps a lot, make video calls, or use your iPad for school and leisure.
This new chip also ensures that the regular iPad now has support for Apple Intelligence. This gives you access to all kinds of useful new functions on your tablet. Consider creating summaries of long texts or creating new emojis.
Better WiFi and Bluetooth
This year, Apple gave the iPhone 17 models their own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for the first time. This N1 chip is now also in the iPad Pro. And maybe this chip will also come to the cheap iPad 2026.
The N1 supports more modern wireless technologies, including WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6. It also has Thread on board, which is useful for smart devices in the home that need to work together.
The current entry-level iPad is still limited to WiFi 6. If the next iPad does get WiFi 7, it will be able to connect to faster networks. And Bluetooth 6 would also be a step forward compared to the current Bluetooth version.
Apple now also makes its own modem chips, called C1 and C1X. The company has been using this in some iPhones and iPads since 2025, and it is quite possible that the next iPad (the version with mobile internet) will have such an Apple modem.
The advantage of this is mainly the effect on battery life. According to tests, Apple’s modems are more economical than Qualcomm’s modems, while the speed and performance remain approximately comparable.
iPad 2026 prices
Regarding the price, there are no clear signals that it is going up. So it will remain the same as the iPad 2025. The recommended retail price at the time of introduction was 409 euros.
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