Apple's iPad 12 is still expected to be the company's next entry-level tablet, with recent reports pointing to a 2026 launch, a starting price of $349 and a largely familiar design. The big question in Cupertino is less whether the device is coming than which chip Apple will choose to put inside it.

The news came after Apple skipped an expected spring reveal, leaving thecurrent iPad 11in place for longer than many watchers had predicted. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said the refreshed model is still on the way, and the clearest thread running through the rumours is that Apple wants a cheaper iPad that finally supports Apple Intelligence without turning the base model into something unrecognisable.

The release date remains the most fluid part of the story. Earlier reports suggested a spring 2026 debut, but Apple missed that window, and newer reporting now points to a fall arrival instead. Buyers can expect to see the device, but also which version of iPadOS it is likely to ship with.

Pricing, by contrast, looks stubbornly unchanged. iPad 12 is expected to start at $349, the same figure currently attached to the entry-level model.

Apple's supply chain has not exactly become more relaxed in 2026, and chip costs can still creep around the edges of a launch. But for now, the consensus is that Apple will keep its budget tablet within reach rather than test the market's patience.

There has also been speculation about a potential rebranding of the entry-level iPad, with one report suggesting it could be renamed the iPad Neo. While the idea aligns with Apple's history of repositioning lower-end products, there is currently no confirmation that a name change is planned. As a result, the claim remains speculative and has not been reflected in any officially announced product plans.

On design, the story is almost stubbornly conservative. Reports say the iPad 12 will keep the same overall look as the current model, with a 10.9-inch IPS LCD Liquid Retina display, thick bezels and an aluminium body. It is not the sort of update that wins applause from people who spend their lives refreshing Apple forums, but it does fit Apple's habit of reserving real design shifts for pricier devices.

Here's When to Expect an iPad 12 With Apple Intelligencepic.twitter.com/3B94zs3Z3I

The display itself is expected to stay at 60 Hz, with a 2360 x 1640 resolution, 264 ppi pixel density and around 500 nits of SDR brightness. Apple's colour tuning should still help the panel look clean and balanced, but this is clearly a display designed for dependable everyday work rather than showmanship.

The current reporting points to a 12 MP rear camera and a 12 MP front camera, with the selfie lens remaining on the landscape edge for easier FaceTime and Zoom calls. Touch ID is still expected via the power button, while Face ID is not.

Source: International Business Times UK