Apple to Release Three New iPads in Early 2027 with OLED Air

Apple is reportedly planning to introduce three new iPad models in the first half of 2027, including an updated iPad Air, an entry-level iPad and a new iPad Pro. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says the line will see hardware, display and connectivity changes.

iPad Air expected to adopt OLED but keep 60 Hz and Touch ID

According to Gurman, the next iPad Air is likely to switch to an OLED display, extending the panel technology used in the recently announced iPad mini to the Air lineup. The report cautions that the Air’s panel is not expected to exceed a 60 hertz refresh rate, and Apple is not expected to replace Touch ID with Face ID.

Chip details remain unconfirmed; Gurman says Apple may replace the M4 with an M5-class chip. He also reports a possible price increase, with the estimated price for a base 11-inch iPad Air between $799 and $899.

Entry-level iPad to gain A19, 8 GB RAM and new connectivity chips

Gurman says Apple also plans to update its entry-level iPad, which would be the first update since early 2025. The device is expected to ship with an A19 chip and 8 gigabytes of RAM, and for the first time support Apple’s on-device AI features, per the report.

The base iPad may also adopt a new N1 communications chip and a C1X modem intended to improve network performance. Gurman reports no major changes to the display or overall design are expected, although a new color option is possible.

iPad Pro to add a vapor chamber and await a next-generation chip

The next iPad Pro is said to include a vapor chamber for improved thermal management, a technology Apple recently used in the iPhone 17 Pro. Beyond thermal design, the most significant Pro update is expected to be its processor, but Gurman notes it is unclear whether Apple will move to an M6 or wait for an M7 chip.

Gurman adds that by the time a model with an M6 arrives, roughly three years will have passed since the last major iPad Pro redesign. Current iPad Pro pricing begins at $1,199 for the 11-inch model and $1,499 for the 13-inch model.