The Cheapest iPad Is Finally Here! New iPad Air to Be Unveiled Next Week!
Apple will release the new iPad Air and the entry-level iPad 12 next week. The base model iPad, known as the most affordable tablet, will welcome its all-new 12th-generation product, while the 2026 iPad Air will also receive significant upgrades!
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on February 8, Apple will launch the entry-level iPad 12 and the new iPad Air in the coming days. These two iPads will retain the current design, with upgrades primarily focused on the processor.
As previously reported by Gurman, the 12th-generation base iPad will be upgraded to the A18 chip, while the new iPad Air will feature the M4 chip. Notably, the new iPad 12 will support Apple Intelligence for the first time.
Additionally, MacRumors reported on February 5 that the 2026 iPad 12 will see its RAM upgraded from 6GB to 8GB. This means that with the rollout of iPadOS 26.4, the new enhanced Siri will also be available on the upcoming iPad series.
Apple recently stated that the iPad series performed strongly during the holiday season, with revenue increasing by 6% year-over-year, with the entry-level iPad being the biggest growth driver. In addition to consumer users, Apple plans to target enterprise users more with the iPad 12.
It has also been revealed that the entry-level iPad 12 and the new iPad Air will be released on February 19! That's next Thursday, the third day of the Lunar New Year! Let's take a look at the configuration upgrades for these two new iPad models:
iPad 12
The 2026 iPad 12 retains the design of the current 11th-generation iPad, a look that hasn't changed since 2022. While the design remains the same, the most impressive part is that the price will also remain unchanged! Apple will keep the starting price of the iPad 12 at a reasonable 2,999 yuan, making this cheapest Apple iPad one of the best-selling tablets on the market!
1. Upgraded from A16 to A18 chip, using the second-generation 3nm process
2. CPU single-core performance improved by 30%, multi-core by 39%; GPU improved by 40%
3. Supports Apple Intelligence AI features and the latest version of Siri
4. Supports hardware ray tracing technology, improving game graphics and smoothness
5. iPad 12 RAM upgraded from 6GB to 8GB, starting with 128GB storage
6. LED Retina multi-touch display, with the traditional 60Hz refresh rate
7. Built-in N1 chip, supports WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and 5G connectivity
8. Only available in 11-inch size; two versions: WiFi-only and WiFi + 5G cellular
9. New colors for iPad 12: Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver
For detailed specifications of the iPad 12, check out the following preview:
2026 iPad 12 Preview: A18 Chip, 2,000 Yuan Pricing, WiFi 7, More Features Without a Price Increase for the Entry-Level iPad
iPad Air 8
Apple's latest iPad Air will enter its eighth generation, with the biggest upgrade being the inclusion of the M4 processor. This advanced chip, primarily used in Apple's MacBook Pro laptops, will provide the slim iPad Air with powerful core performance, smooth and stable operation, low power consumption, and efficient heat management!
1. Upgraded from M3 to M4 chip, CPU improved by 30%, GPU by 21%
2. iPad Air available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes; WiFi and WiFi + 5G versions
3. 12GB RAM + 128GB storage, starting price of 4,799 yuan
4. N1 chip supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0
5. Supports Apple Intelligence AI features and the latest version of Siri
For detailed specifications of the iPad Air 8, check out the following preview:
2026 iPad Air Preview: M4 Chip, LED Display, WiFi 7, Old Design with New Configuration and No Price Increase
Apple New Products
In addition to the two iPads mentioned above, Apple will launch several new products in the near future, including: the cheapest iPhone 17e; the new MacBook Pro with M5 Pro/Max; the best-selling M5 MacBook Air; a low-cost MacBook; the compact desktop Mac Studio; the Apple Studio Display 2; and the recently popular Mac mini. If you're planning to purchase any of Apple's new products, keep an eye on the release updates!
