Apple’s upcoming iPad models could receive substantial hardware upgrades, according to details discovered in the company’s own code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The leaks reportedly reveal specifications for the 12th-generation entry-level iPad and eighth-generation iPad mini, with both models set to gain new chips and other notable changes.
The iPad 12 is reportedly not expected to launch until spring 2027, which is still some way off. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously suggested that the iPad mini 8 could debut by the end of October this year.
iPad 12
According to MacRumors, the iPad 12 is said to feature Apple’s A19 chip alongside the company’s C1X modem and N1 networking chip. It is also expected to come with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB on the current 11th-generation iPad.
The move from the A16 chip in the current iPad to the A19 would enable Apple Intelligence support, potentially bringing AI features and Siri capabilities that are unavailable on the existing model. The additional RAM is also significant, as Apple Intelligence requires at least 8GB of memory.
For cellular connectivity, the C1X modem is expected to replace the Qualcomm modem used in the current iPad. The modem supports sub-6GHz 5G networks and is reportedly more power-efficient, while the N1 networking chip is said to bring support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
iPad Mini 8
Meanwhile, the iPad mini 8 will reportedly use an A20 Pro chip, while also receiving a redesigned front-facing camera placement and a new speaker system. The latter could tie into an earlier report by Gurman, who claimed that the next iPad mini would feature an all-new vibration-based speaker system as part of a move towards water resistance.
The front-facing camera will reportedly move to a landscape orientation, making the upcoming model the final iPad in Apple’s current lineup to adopt this positioning. It has also been rumoured to feature a slightly larger display and an OLED panel.
