Apple’s Entry-Level iPad Set for Major Update with Apple Intelligence Features by Late 2025

Earlier this week, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release an updated version of the entry-level iPad with 5G and support for future versions of its own chips by late 2025. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman mentioned that the iPhone SE is slated to gain these advanced AI features in March 2025, with the updated iPad likely following later in the year.  He did say, however, that nearly every Apple device with a screen would sport an Apple Intelligence-tagged piece of silicon by 2026 which marks quite the integration of its technology throughout almost all its product lineup.

More About the Apple Entry-Level iPad

Perhaps most importantly, the iPad update timeline implies a significant gap since the entry-level model last received a refresh — back in October 2022. It also appears that this delay is due to the technical hurdles in adding more higher-level AI components at such a low price of $349. Successfully sticking an NFC chip somewhere on a device isn’t quite as easy for Apple, since Cupertino wants to keep its hardware open and available to just about any consumer.

Currently, new 10th-generation iPad models are powered by the A14 which debuted with the iPhone 12. This chip is also becoming more out-of-date in a rapidly changing tech market. The next logical upgrade would be the A16 chip found in iPhone 15. But if Apple plans to offer the highest experience with Apple Intelligence, it could select even the A17 Pro, or else we can see a chip as high-performance as an A18.

Recently, Apple launched a new iPad mini featuring Apple Intelligence in a standalone announcement, further emphasizing its commitment to this technology. Together with this, the company cut off the cost of the current iPad 10 and stopped bundling chargers in Europe. This change suggests that an iPad 11 is less likely to be announced in the near future.

It is unclear whether Apple plans to host an event in late October for Macs or if new machines will simply be added quietly, as has happened with so many products this year. In any case, it seems like an announcement of the iPad 11 isn’t coming this month. So consumers hopeful for a more future-facing bit from Apple will have to wait a while longer.

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