Apple's cheapest iPad to get Apple Intelligence support at just the right time

Alongside the iPhone 17e, Apple also has a refreshed base model iPad in the works. A new report from Macotakara highlights what we can expect from Apple’s update of its cheapest iPad.

Apple released the iPad 11, formally known as the iPad (A16), last March. While the A16 chip represented a notable upgrade from the previous model’s A14 chip, it wasn’t enough for Apple to offer Apple Intelligence support on the device.

That is set to change this year, though. Macotakara reports that this year’s iPad 12 will be powered by the A18 chip, which will enable Apple Intelligence support. It will also have 8GB of RAM, up from the current model’s 6GB of RAM.

With Apple Intelligence set to get significantly more useful this year, it’s good to know Apple is planning to make its cheapest iPad capable of running the features. This includes the more powerful Siri features first announced at WWDC 2024, as well as new chatbot features in iPadOS 27.

Other than the boost in RAM and performance, the iPad 12 is expected to be the same as the iPad 11. It will use the same overall design and chassis.

Apple is also working on a refreshed iPad Air with the M4 chip, which could launch this spring alongside the iPad (A18). The iPad upgrade I’m most excited for this year, however, is the new iPad mini with OLED, reportedly set to launch later this year.

My favorite iPad accessories:

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