Apple appears to have two very different tablets in the pipeline: a 12th-generation iPad designed to remain the most accessible model in the lineup, and a new iPad mini that could receive a much more ambitious upgrade. At first glance, they are opposite products. One is the family-friendly, school-ready, basic-but-solid iPad. The other is the compact iPad, almost a niche device, loved by people who read, take notes, travel light, or simply want something smaller than a full-size tablet.
Yet both models tell the same story: Apple wants more iPads to enter the Apple Intelligence era, without necessarily reinventing the design.
The iPad 12 should mainly fix the biggest weakness of the current model
The current 11-inch iPad, powered by the A16 chip, is still a good tablet for everyday use: Liquid Retina display, USB-C port, Touch ID in the top button, landscape stereo speakers, and Apple Pencil support. But in 2026, it has one very visible limitation: it does not support Apple Intelligence, unlike the iPad mini with A17 Pro and the higher-end models.
That is why the next generation could focus on an A18 or A19 chip, likely paired with more RAM, to unlock Apple’s AI features. This would not be a small technical tweak. For regular users, it would mean an iPad that ages better and can handle writing tools, summaries, image-related features, and future Siri improvements. Not necessarily a more exciting iPad, then, but a much more coherent one inside Apple’s lineup.
Design-wise, though, a revolution seems unlikely. Rumors point to a form factor very close to the current model, with the same colorful and family-oriented identity. Apple could also include its N1 networking chip, linked to Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread on recent devices, although that detail is less certain. The price could be the painful part. If Apple continues pushing prices upward, the entry-level iPad may remain more expensive than before, which slightly weakens its “affordable” positioning.
The iPad mini could be the real surprise
The next iPad mini looks far more exciting. The headline change is expected to be an OLED display, a first for this product line. On a compact tablet, this is the kind of upgrade people notice immediately: deeper blacks, stronger contrast, richer colors, and a more pleasant experience when reading at night or watching content on the move.
The current iPad mini still uses an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD display. It is a good screen, no doubt, but not in the same league as the OLED panel Apple already offers on the iPad Pro.
There is one important question, though: refresh rate. Some rumors suggest the display could still be limited to 60Hz, which would be a little frustrating on a more premium mini tablet. Apple knows very well how to reserve ProMotion for Pro devices, but if the next iPad mini becomes more expensive, the lack of 120Hz could be harder to justify.
Another interesting change: Apple is reportedly testing a more water-resistant body, with a new speaker technology that uses vibrations instead of traditional speaker grilles. On paper, that sounds very Apple: fewer openings, fewer weak points, cleaner design. And for an iPad mini used as an e-reader, travel notebook, or couch tablet, better water resistance would make a lot of sense.
The real story is the iPad as a personal AI device
The next iPad mini could reportedly use an A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, which would put the small tablet in a surprisingly strong position: compact, powerful, and probably ready for the most advanced AI features in iPadOS. The current A17 Pro iPad mini is already positioned by Apple as a device built for Apple Intelligence, with a faster Neural Engine and Apple Pencil Pro support. A new generation would mainly need to make that experience feel more modern, smoother, and more premium.
This is where, in my view, the iPad mini can become genuinely desirable again. Not because it will replace a MacBook or an iPad Pro, but because it could become Apple’s best “small intelligent screen”: large enough to work on comfortably, small enough to disappear into a bag, and powerful enough to last for years.
Final thoughts
The iPad 12 should be the sensible purchase: familiar design, better chip, Apple Intelligence, and a longer useful life. The iPad mini, on the other hand, could be the emotional purchase, especially if OLED and improved water resistance are confirmed.
Apple does not need to completely reinvent the iPad lineup. It needs to make each model easier to understand. And these two devices could help with exactly that: one to bring AI to more users, the other to give the compact format its personality back.
FAQ
When could the new iPad 12 launch?
Current rumors point to a launch in the first quarter of 2027, rather than an immediate release in 2026.
Will the next iPad mini have an OLED display?
That is the main expected upgrade. Several reports point to OLED, but Apple has not confirmed anything yet.
Will Apple Intelligence be available on the iPad 12?
If Apple uses an A18 or A19 chip with enough RAM, yes. That would likely be the main reason for this generation to exist.
Will the new iPad mini be more expensive?
It is possible. OLED, a newer chip, and better water resistance could push Apple toward a higher price.
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.
