Apple announced a bunch of incredible new hardware at the start of the year, including the iPad Air M4 and the $599 MacBook Neo. But there was one rumored device that never made an appearance — the entry-level iPad 12. Those of you eagerly anticipating a new version of Apple's cheapest tablet are in luck; it sounds like it's still on the way.
We know that thanks to accessory-maker ESR Tech, which posted a listing for an iPad-12 compatible screen protector (via GSMArena). The listing has since been removed, but it specifically referred to the tablet as the iPad 11" (A18) 2026, so it's absolutely clear which version of the device this screen protector was for. The iPad 11 was released last year and was powered by the A16 chipset, for reference.
The listing did confirm that the new model has the same dimensions as the iPad 11, so you'd be forgiven for not being able to tell the difference between the two. However, apparent confirmation that the tablet will feature an A18 chip is going to dampen all the rumors suggesting the iPad 12 would have an A19 chip.
Since the iPad 12 isn't a product that's high-profile enough to warrant a dedicated Apple event, it means the tablet could literally drop at any time.
There's not a whole lot more the listing can tell us, but the fact that this page has gone up — even accidentally — might suggest that the iPad 12 launch isn't very far away. The only question is when? Mark Gurman at Bloomberg claims that the tablet is "coming soon" and could launch alongside the iPad mini 8. Sadly, this vague release window doesn't tell us much about when to expect either device.
Since the iPad 12 isn't a product that's high-profile enough to warrant a dedicated Apple event, it means the tablet could literally drop at any time. We're just going to have to be patient and see what happens, and whether Apple will deliver either tablet before WWDC 2026 in June.
There's not a whole lot we know about the iPad 12 right now, other than the fact that it might be the first entry-level iPad to support Apple Intelligence. That would mean an increased amount of RAM, since Apple's AI features require at least 8GB of memory to function.
We probably shouldn't expect a lot, though. Entry-level iPads are usually pretty barebones compared to the best iPads, including iPad Air and iPad Pro, offering far fewer opportunities for upgrades. Though, as the proud owner of an iPad 10, I would love it if Apple could add a glare-resistant screen and higher brightness in a future model. Trying to use my tablet in a bright place is nearly impossible.
