Apple is expected to make another move in the iPad lineup before the end of 2026. Not with a new iPad Pro, at least according to current rumors, but with two much more strategic models: an iPad mini with an OLED display and a base iPad finally compatible with Apple Intelligence. On paper, they may not sound like the most spectacular products in the catalog. In practice, they could be the most important ones for a huge number of users.
The iPad mini could finally fix its most obvious limitation
The iPad mini has always had its own very specific audience. People who love it are not looking for a “small iPad Pro”, but for a compact, lightweight tablet that is easy to hold with one hand, perfect for reading, taking notes, gaming, or handling everyday tasks without carrying around an 11-inch or 13-inch screen.
The current model, with the A17 Pro chip, already supports Apple Intelligence and keeps the 8.3-inch format. But it still has one weak point: the LCD display. It is not a bad panel, of course, but on a product like this, at this price, the absence of OLED is noticeable. The famous “jelly scrolling” effect, that slight visual unevenness when scrolling through text, has also remained one of the most discussed issues around the mini.
The big expected upgrade, then, would be the move to OLED. And this is not just a nice spec sheet improvement. On a compact tablet, OLED can truly change the experience: deeper blacks, stronger contrast, more pleasant reading, and better performance for videos, TV shows, and multimedia content. According to rumors, Apple could also add an A19 chip and improved water resistance.
A tougher and more portable iPad mini
The possible improvement in water resistance is almost as interesting as the OLED display. The iPad mini is the model you can most naturally imagine in the kitchen, in a backpack, on a train, in a café, next to a notebook or a camera. It is not the “desk tablet”; it is the one you carry around without thinking too much about it.
Apple may be working on a better-protected chassis, possibly also thanks to a new speaker design. It is a technical detail, sure, but it tells a broader story: the iPad mini could finally stop feeling like a secondary product in the lineup.
A mini with an OLED display, more power, and better durability would have a very clear identity. Not that of a computer disguised as a tablet, as sometimes happens with the iPad Pro. More like a premium digital notebook, compact and always ready.
The base iPad needs to catch up with artificial intelligence
The other expected model is less flashy, but probably even more important commercially: the next standard iPad. The current model uses the A16 chip and, within Apple’s lineup, remains one of the major devices excluded from Apple Intelligence.
The next base iPad is expected to move to the A18 chip, finally opening the door to artificial intelligence features on Apple’s most affordable tablet. This change matters more than it might seem. Until now, choosing the cheapest iPad meant accepting a fairly clear software limitation, especially when looking ahead.
With the A18 chip, Apple would make the standard iPad much more future-proof. Not just faster, but also more aligned with the direction the company is taking: more local features, more AI integrated into the system, and more tools designed for writing, images, productivity, and everyday use.
iPadOS 27 could make everything fit better
The timing matters. If Apple introduces an iPadOS 27 that is much more focused on artificial intelligence, updating the base iPad with a compatible chip will be almost inevitable. It would not make much sense to push Apple Intelligence as a pillar of the system and leave out precisely the most popular and accessible iPad.
Siri also comes into play here. Apple has been working for some time on a smarter version of its assistant, one capable of handling more complex requests and interacting better with apps and personal content. If these features really arrive with the next software generation, having a base iPad ready for AI will be essential.
What I think
The most interesting part of these rumors is that Apple seems to be focusing on the right models. The iPad Pro, right now, does not urgently need a refresh. It is already extremely powerful, maybe even too powerful for many users. The iPad mini and the base iPad, on the other hand, both had a clear problem.
The mini needed a more modern display, one worthy of its price and loyal audience. The standard iPad needed to stop being left out of Apple’s new AI strategy.
If the rumors are confirmed, 2026 may not be the most spectacular year for the iPad, but it could become one of the most sensible. Sometimes you do not need loud revolutions. You just need to fix the right things.
FAQ
When will the new 2026 iPads be released?
Rumors point to a launch before the end of 2026, although there is no official date yet.
Will the next iPad mini really have an OLED display?
It is one of the strongest rumors surrounding the new model. Apple has not confirmed anything, but several reports point in that direction.
Will the new base iPad support Apple Intelligence?
If it really comes with the A18 chip, it should support Apple Intelligence, unlike the current A16 model.
Will there be a new iPad Pro in 2026?
At the moment, that seems unlikely. Rumors point to a possible iPad Pro update later, probably in 2027.
I'm Clémentine Pithon, and as a technology enthusiast, I write articles to guide you through the world of refurbished devices. My goal is simple: to help you make informed choices, understand the products, and get the most out of them every day. Tips, explanations, and practical advice are at the heart of my articles.
