Apple iPad A18 Release Date: Apple showed off a lot of new stuff this month, but one very popular product was missing. The regular low-cost iPad did not get updated during Apple’s recent launch week. That stood out because this model sells to a lot of people, especially students, families, and users who just want a simple iPad that works well.
Even though Apple refreshed the iPad Air and also launched the new MacBook Neo earlier in March, the basic iPad is still the old one for now. Because of that, many people are now watching closely to see when Apple will finally bring out the next version.
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Launch Date
The good news is that the wait may not be very long now. Reports say Apple is still planning to launch the new entry iPad in the first half of 2026. That means it should arrive pretty soon if the company stays on schedule.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in the Power On newsletter, says, “Since last year, Apple had been on track to launch a refreshed version of the entry-level iPad in the first half of 2026.” He adds that the release is expected within the iOS 26.4 window, which runs until May, giving Apple flexibility on the exact launch date.
That puts the new iPad in a launch period that lines up with Apple’s current software rollout. So Apple still has a few weeks of room, but the device now looks close enough that people may not have to wait much longer. Recent reports on March 22 also said the new model is still coming this year and is basically ready to go.
A18 Chip Upgrade
The main change in this new iPad looks very clear. Apple is expected to move from the A16 chip to the A18 chip. That should make the tablet faster for normal use, games, apps, and school work. It also matters for another reason. This upgrade would let the cheapest iPad support Apple Intelligence, so Apple’s AI features would finally come to its most affordable tablet.
There is still some waiting left on the software side too. The iPad may support Apple Intelligence with this chip, but the bigger Siri changes are still expected later with iOS 26.5. So buyers may get the hardware first, while some of the more advanced AI features arrive after that.
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Some reports also say Apple could add its own C1 modem and the N1 networking chip, but that part is still not certain. Right now, the update looks more like a power boost than a big redesign. In simple words, it may feel faster and more modern, but it probably will not look very different on the outside.
Price Problem
One thing that may bother buyers is the price. The regular iPad starts at $349, which sounds good at first. But when you add the Magic Keyboard Folio, the full cost goes up to $598. That gets very close to the price of the new MacBook Neo, which Apple announced this month starting at $599 in the US.
That creates a strange problem for Apple. If someone wants a basic computer for typing, school, and daily work, they may look at that price gap and wonder why they should buy the cheaper iPad setup when the MacBook Neo is so close in cost. Apple may need to think harder about that, especially for people who want to use an iPad as their main device every day.
