Apple’s latest entry-level iPad launched in March with the A16 Bionic chip inside. However, the company is already working on its successor, according to recent reports.
Today, this next-gen cheap iPad has been revealed to sport the A18 chip, the same one inside the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16e. The information comes from code references accidentally disclosed by Apple, so it’s official even though it was never intended to be made public this early.
Using the A18 chip will give the next entry-level iPad the ability to support Apple Intelligence features, which undoubtedly will be among its main selling points. The next cheap iPad is rumored to arrive in the spring of next year.
It should keep the same design as its predecessor, possibly only incorporating the newer and better chip. The current generation starts at $349, it’s unclear if the next model will retain that pricing, but we are hopeful.