Apple has not updated its Cheapest iPad this year (and last year as well), leaving it with the more than four year old A14 chipset. They did drop the price earlier this year, from $449 to $349, but we should finally see a real refresh next spring. Here’s what to expect.

Apple Intelligence

The next generation Entry-level iPad will likely be compatible with Apple Intelligence, although it’s unclear which chipset it will use. This will likely be the A18 chip, given that the first-generation 3nm process is expensive. Apple probably only uses the A17 Pro chip in the new iPad mini because there were readily available bundled chips left over from the iPhone 15 Pro manufacturing process.

This means you’ll be able to enjoy features like Notification Summaries, Image Playground, Genmoji, the all-new Siri, ChatGPT and much more on the new iPad. If it launches next spring, Apple should have launched all Apple Intelligence features by then.

Improved connectivity

The iPad 11 will likely support new connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 6E (or Wi-Fi 7) and Bluetooth 5.3. This would be a step up from Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 in today’s market. Entry-level iPadallowing lower latency, etc.

We could also see Apple’s first 5G modems debut in cellular versions of the iPad 11, according to Bloomberg:

The first modem will also appear on low-end iPads next year, with the 2026 update coming to the Pro versions of the iPhone and iPad.

New magic keyboard

Apple is also work on a new low-end Magic Keyboard for iPad, which the iPad 11 could possibly support. This would be a more traditional keyboard design, rather than the folio style that the iPad10 currently doing sports.

Release date

According to Bloomberg’s Mark GurmanApple plans to release the iPad 11 next spring, alongside the iPhone SE, iPad Airand more:

It will have roughly the same design as the current 2022 version, while benefiting from a speed gain. This model is expected to release around the same time as the new iPhone SE and iPad Air in the spring.

Assuming nothing changes, that means Apple Lowest-end iPad will be 2.5 years old when it is finally refreshed.

Are you excited about the next one Entry-level iPad? Let us know in the comments.

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