Apple is reportedly preparing a broad refresh of its tablet range, with three new iPad models said to be on course for release in the first half of 2027. The reported line-up would touch every main tier of the range, from the cheapest iPad that most families and students buy, through the mid-range iPad Air, to the high-end iPad Pro used by professionals. According to a report by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, Apple is working on updated versions of all three devices, with faster processors, better displays and improved cooling among the changes under consideration.
Buyers now keep tablets for several years, so a simultaneous refresh would give Apple a distinct reason for each kind of buyer to consider an upgrade, while keeping the range in step with its wider push into artificial intelligence. None of the three devices has been officially announced, so the details remain unconfirmed and should be treated as reported plans rather than final specifications.
Budget iPad Could Finally Gain Apple Intelligence
The most significant change for ordinary buyers could come at the bottom of the range, where the next entry-level iPad, expected to be called the iPad 12, is said to be in line for a major performance upgrade. According to earlier reports, Apple plans to equip the tablet with its A19 processor and 8GB of memory. That combination would allow the cheapest iPad to support Apple Intelligence for the first time, bringing the company’s artificial intelligence features to buyers who do not want to pay for a more expensive model. The current entry-level iPad uses the A16 processor and does not support those features, which has left a clear gap between the cheapest tablet in the range and the rest of Apple’s devices.
The reported upgrade would go beyond the processor alone. The new model is also expected to include Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and should offer faster and more reliable wireless connections. Cellular versions could feature Apple’s C1X modem, bringing faster fifth-generation mobile connectivity and improved power efficiency.
iPad Air Could Move to an OLED Display
Apple is also reportedly preparing a major display upgrade for the iPad Air, the model that has long occupied the middle ground between the standard iPad and the Pro. The next-generation tablet is expected to replace its liquid crystal display screen with an OLED panel, a technology in which each pixel produces its own light.
Apple already uses OLED technology in its premium iPad Pro, and it has recently introduced the same kind of display to the iPad mini, so bringing it to the iPad Air would complete a wider move across the range. The tablet is also expected to receive a faster processor, potentially Apple’s M5 chip, although other specifications, including battery capacity and camera upgrades, remain unknown at this stage.
iPad Pro Could Gain Better Cooling and a Faster Chip
At the top of the range, the upcoming iPad Pro is expected to focus less on the screen and more on sustained performance. According to Gurman, Apple could introduce a vapour chamber cooling system to help manage heat during demanding tasks. A vapour chamber spreads heat more efficiently across a device, allowing its processor to maintain higher performance for longer instead of slowing down as the tablet warms up.
The current iPad Pro uses Apple’s M5 processor, while the next model is expected to feature a newer chip, most likely the M6. Some reports have also mentioned the possibility of an M7 processor, although this remains uncertain.
Expected Launch Timing and Pricing
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to introduce all three iPad models during the first half of 2027. The entry-level iPad could arrive during the first quarter, while the updated iPad Air and iPad Pro may launch later in the spring. However, Apple has not announced official release dates or pricing for any of these devices, and launch windows reported this far in advance can still shift. The company is also reportedly unlikely to release additional iPad models during the second half of 2027, unless its current plans change, which suggests the early-year refresh is intended to carry the range through the rest of the year.
That schedule would place the new iPads alongside Apple’s wider product plans, including a foldable iPhone and touchscreen MacBook Pro models that have also been widely reported. For buyers, the practical message is to wait for an official announcement before making a decision, since specifications, pricing and timing may still change. For now, the reported upgrades remain unconfirmed, but the breadth of the refresh suggests that 2027 could be a significant year for the iPad.
