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Not every iPad update comes with a new look. Sometimes the change that matters is under the hood.
Word from a usually reliable Japanese leaker: Apple is expected to refresh its entry-level iPad this spring. The chassis will reportedly remain familiar, but the internals won’t. The A16 Bionic at the heart of last year’s base model would be replaced by the A18 found in the iPhone 16, and RAM would jump from 6GB to 8GB.
Why the RAM bump? Because 8GB appears to be the practical threshold for Apple Intelligence—the company’s on-device AI features—so this isn’t just a spec sheet tweak. The new entry-level iPad is expected to ship with the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, enabling Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Don’t expect a parade of new sensors or a redesigned frame. If the rumor holds, the upgrade will be largely about performance gains: faster neural processing, snappier multitasking, and better headroom for richer on-device AI experiences. That’s meaningful for students, creatives, and anyone who treats an iPad like a primary device rather than a second screen.
Questions remain. Will Apple keep the price anchored to the current entry point, or will the spec boost nudge costs upward? And how much of Apple Intelligence will be enabled on a lower-cost tablet versus the higher-end iPad Pro lineup?
For buyers trying to choose now: the current model with A16 and 6GB of RAM is still a solid pick. If you can wait until spring, though, the upgrade could be worth it—especially for those who want on-device AI without stepping up to a pricier model.
Keep an eye on the spring keynote; small changes can have big effects once Apple folds its AI into everyday devices.
Source: gsmarena
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