For a company that now talks about artificial intelligence at nearly every product launch, Apple has been surprisingly selective about where those AI features actually work. While recent iPhones and Macs already support Apple Intelligence, the most affordable iPad in Apple’s lineup has remained stuck on the sidelines. That gap may soon close.
New reporting suggests Apple is preparing an update to its entry-level iPad that would finally make it capable of running Apple Intelligence features. The change is expected to be powered by a faster processor, bringing AI tools to one of Apple’s most popular and widely sold devices.
Apple Intelligence has skipped the cheapest iPad so far
Apple’s push into AI has been steady, if cautious. The company has repeatedly emphasized that its approach prioritizes on-device processing, privacy, and practical features over flashy demos. That strategy, however, has meant strict hardware requirements.
As a result, every currently sold iPhone and Mac supports Apple Intelligence, but the baseline iPad does not. The entry-level model still relies on an older chip that simply lacks the performance needed for Apple’s AI workloads. For many users, this created an odd situation where Apple’s most accessible tablet felt technologically behind the rest of the ecosystem.
That imbalance appears to be on the verge of correction.
A new processor could unlock AI features
According to Mark Gurman, writing in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, Apple is planning a wave of product updates over the next several weeks. Among those updates is a refreshed standard iPad, expected to receive a significant internal upgrade.
The key change is the processor. Gurman reports that Apple plans to move the base iPad from its current A16 chip to the more powerful A18. That jump would be enough to enable Apple Intelligence, placing the entry-level iPad on the same AI footing as newer iPhones and Macs.
While the upgrade may not sound dramatic on paper, it has major implications. With Apple Intelligence enabled, the standard iPad could handle features like advanced Siri capabilities, on-device text summarization, image generation tools, and smarter system-wide assistance.
No major redesign expected
Anyone hoping for a visual overhaul may want to temper expectations. Gurman notes that most of Apple’s upcoming iPad updates are focused on performance rather than appearance. Design changes are expected to be minimal, if they happen at all.
“For those holding out for design changes,” Gurman cautions, “prepare to be disappointed.” Faster processors, not new looks, are the theme for Apple’s tablet lineup this year.
There are a few exceptions elsewhere in the range. Gurman has previously mentioned an OLED display coming to a future iPad mini, likely later in the year. But for the standard iPad, the spotlight is firmly on what happens inside the device, not on its exterior.
Why Apple wants AI on its cheapest products
From a business perspective, the move makes sense. Apple’s lowest-priced devices tend to be its best sellers. Schools, families, casual users, and first-time buyers overwhelmingly gravitate toward the standard iPad rather than higher-end Pro models.
By enabling Apple Intelligence on that device, Apple dramatically increases the number of users exposed to its AI platform. That broader reach is critical if the company wants Apple Intelligence to feel like a core part of the ecosystem rather than a premium add-on.
This strategy mirrors Apple’s earlier efforts to bring AI features to more affordable iPhones, even when the hardware margins were tighter. The goal is adoption at scale, not just showcasing technology on flagship models.
Tim Cook’s AI message meets mainstream hardware
Apple CEO Tim Cook has consistently described AI as a central pillar of Apple’s future. In earnings calls and interviews, he has stressed the company’s excitement about AI and its long-term investment in the technology.
Until now, that message has not fully translated to Apple’s most mainstream tablet. An AI-capable entry-level iPad would change that, aligning Apple’s public statements with the products most customers actually buy.
It would also simplify Apple’s marketing. Instead of explaining why some devices support Apple Intelligence and others do not, Apple could promote AI as a standard part of the iPad experience.
A delayed upgrade that now feels inevitable
Interestingly, this would not be the first time such an upgrade was expected. Last year, speculation suggested that the 2025 iPad might receive Apple Intelligence support along with a modest price increase. That prediction did not materialize, leaving the base iPad as the lone modern Apple device without AI features.
That earlier prediction also came from Gurman, which is why some observers remain cautious. Apple has changed course before, and nothing is official until the company announces it.
Still, the logic behind the upgrade is stronger now. Apple Intelligence has matured, the hardware requirements are clearer, and the competitive pressure around AI has only intensified. Bringing the standard iPad into the AI fold now feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
What this could mean for everyday iPad users
If the report proves accurate, the next standard iPad will not feel radically different at first glance. The screen, design, and general experience may look familiar. The real change will come in how the device assists users behind the scenes.
Tasks like summarizing documents, refining text, generating images, or interacting with a more capable Siri could become routine on Apple’s cheapest tablet. For students, families, and casual users, those features may quietly redefine what an entry-level iPad can do.
With a launch expected within weeks, Apple appears close to making its most accessible tablet part of its AI future at last.
