Apple unveiled its 2026 iPad family in early March, offering a base iPad, an iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip , an iPad Air powered by the M4 processor, and a top‑tier iPad Pro equipped with the M5 chip. Prices start at $349 for the entry‑level tablet and climb to $3,077 for the 13‑inch iPad Pro with 2 TB of storage, 5G, and premium accessories.

Base‑model iPad at $349 delivers a 50% performance jump

The entry‑level iPad now runs on Apple’s A16 chip, the same silicon that powers the iPhone 15, and offers up to a 50 percent boost in overall speed compared with the previous A13 Bionic. According to the source, the device also doubles its storage to 128 GB,making it more practical for long‑term use.

Design-wise, the base iPad follows the iPad 10 aesthetic: a side‑mounted Touch ID, a bezel‑less display, and a unified look across the range. apple markets this model to students and casual users who want a larger screen for social media, reading, gaming, and multitasking via Window Tiling.

iPad Pro 13‑inch with M5 chip tops the price chart at $3,077

The flagship 13‑inch iPad Pro packs the new M5 processor, 2 TB of storage, a nano‑texture display, 5G connectivity, Apple Pencil Pro, and a Magic Keyboard. The source notes that this configuration is the most expensive tablet Apple currently sells, targeting professionals who need desktop‑class performance in a portable form factor.

Reviewers who have tested the Pro say the M5 chip handles multiple high‑resolution apps simultaneously, making it suitable for video editing, 3D design, and other demanding workflows.

iPad Air with M4 chip offers a middle ground for creators

Positioned between the base model and the Pro, the iPad Air features the M4 processor and a larger display than the mini, appealing to creators who want strong performance without the Pro’s price premium.. The source highlights the Air’s ability to run creative apps smoothly, especially when paired with the Apple Pencil.

While the Air lacks the Pro’s 2 TB storage option, its 256 GB base is sufficient for most users, and its 5G capability matches the higher‑end models.

Rumored A18/A19‑chip base iPad could bring Apple Intelligence in late 2026

Apple is reportedly planning a refreshed base iPad for the second half of 2026 that will ship with an A18 or A19 processor and up to 8 GB of RAM. The source suggests this upgrade will finally enable Apple Intelligence features, such as a more conversational Siri and real‑time Visual Intelligence for translations and product recommendations.

If the rumors prove true, the new base model could close the gap between budget‑friendly tablets and the AI‑driven experiences currently reserved for higher‑end devices.

What remains unclear about Apple’s AI rollout?

The source does not confirm when Apple Intelligence will be fully functional on the current iPad lineup, nor does it detail how the upcoming iOS 27/iPadOS 27 updates will integrate AI across apps. Additionally, pricing for the rumored A18/A19 iPad has not been disclosed, leaving potential buyers uncertain about the value proposition.