Rumors suggest the humble entry-level iPad is about to become a powerhouse.
New reports surfacing from MacWorld claim that internal code found in a pre-release build of iOS 26 has outed Apple’s entire iPad roadmap for early 2026. If the data holds up, we are looking at one of the most significant year-over-year performance upgrades in the history of the entry-level iPad.
Here is the breakdown of what to expect and just how much faster these new tablets will be compared to the current generation.
The Entry-Level iPad: A16 vs. A19
The biggest news is the base iPad (codenames J581 and J582). The leak suggests Apple is skipping the A17 and A18 chips entirely, jumping straight from the A16 Bionic (currently in the 11th-gen iPad) to the A19 chip found in the new iPhone 17 lineup.
This isn’t a small bump—it is a generational leap. Based on current Antutu and Geekbench figures for the A16 and the newly released A19:
- CPU Performance: The A19 features architectural changes that deliver roughly 40-45% faster single-core performance compared to the A16.
- Graphics (GPU): This is where gamers will feel the difference. The A19’s GPU scores are clocking in approx. 80% higher than the A16, bringing ray-tracing capabilities to the budget iPad for the first time.
- Overall Speed: In synthetic benchmarks like Antutu, the A16 scores around 1.4 million points. The A19 is currently pushing past 2.3 million, representing a ~65% increase in total raw power.
The device will also gain the new N1 wireless chip for better Wi-Fi and Thread support, though the external design and display will likely remain identical to the 2025 model.
iPad Air: Getting the M4 Treatment
The iPad Air is also slated for a refresh (codenames J707/J708). While the current Air runs on the M2, the 2026 model will reportedly skip the M3 and adopt the M4 Silicon chip—the same powerhouse currently in the iPad Pro.
- The Upgrade: Moving from M2 to M4 offers about 1.5x faster CPU performance and up to 4x faster professional rendering performance.
- Design: Like the entry-level model, no major design changes are expected; the chassis and display will mirror the 2025 Air.
Launch Timeline
According to the internal documents, Apple targets an early 2026 launch for both devices. While the exteriors may look familiar, the internals are getting a “Pro-level” overhaul that will likely keep these tablets relevant for years to come.