Apple’s next entry-level iPad is reportedly not arriving until early 2027. The models, code-named J581 and J582, are not expected until the first part of next year.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman answered a reader question about the timing in his Power On newsletter. He calls the update overdue, noting that Apple is facing fresh competition from Amazon’s new Alexa Tablets and needs a compelling option at the low end after recent price increases.
The Current Entry-Level iPad Still Runs an A16 Chip Without Apple Intelligence
The 11-inch iPad that Apple sells today uses an A16 chip, and it is the only model in the iPad lineup without Apple Intelligence support. An earlier report said the next version could add Apple Intelligence with an A19 chip. Gurman did not describe the chip or features of J581 and J582, so the A19 chip remains an earlier report that he has not confirmed.
Apple’s current lineup shows how much room there is for an update. The iPad mini uses an A17 Pro chip, the iPad Air uses an M4 chip and the iPad Pro uses an M5 chip. The entry-level iPad also has an sRGB display, and it supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the first-generation Apple Pencil through an adapter, while the other three models support Apple Pencil Pro. It works with the Magic Keyboard Folio, and the iPad Air and iPad Pro each have their own Magic Keyboard.
The cameras on the current model are a 12MP Wide back camera and a 12MP Center Stage front camera, and it records 4K video. Gurman did not say whether any of that changes on the new models.
The iPad Air Reportedly Gets OLED and the iPad Pro May Get a Vapor Chamber in 2027
Gurman says other iPads coming in 2027 include a major update to the iPad Air that adds an OLED screen, and a refreshed iPad Pro that could gain a vapor chamber to reduce heat and boost performance. An OLED iPad Air for 2027 was reported earlier.
The new entry-level iPad is part of a long early-2027 list. Gurman says Apple will turn its attention then to the new MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iPhone Air, iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, entry-level iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro. The list covers laptops, phones and tablets, so Apple is planning a crowded start to the year.
The OLED iPad mini is due at the end of this month, and Gurman says it will cost considerably more than today’s $599 model, with a guess closer to $799. Until the new entry-level models arrive, the current 11-inch iPad remains the lowest-priced way into the lineup.
Apple’s launch on or around Tuesday, October 27 should be its final one of the year, according to Gurman.
