A new, cheap iPad is expected to launch next week. Here’s what to expect
Apple’s budget iPad could get a serious speed upgrade
Apple’s next entry-level, cheap iPad is widely expected to arrive next week, with a few notable improvements to tempt first-time buyers or those looking for an upgrade to one of the best iPads.
Based on the latest speculation (via MacRumors), it won’t be a full-blown redesign. Rather, we’re likely looking at an internals refresh – but the alleged upgrades could still make a big difference, with enough hardware oomph to allow Apple Intelligence support on the cheapest iPad for the first time.
Same design, familiar screen
In terms of design, the low-cost iPad isn’t expected to change externally this year. The new model is expected to retain the same 11-inch edge-to-edge display design, with a Touch ID side button and thick bezels.
It’s also reported as Apple’s thickest tablet at 7mm, and the display is expected to remain a Retina LCD panel without ProMotion, without P3 wide colour, and without a laminated finish – the kind of higher-end screen tech Apple reserves for its pricier iPads.
A refresh of the colour options is possible, mind, with the current line-up listed as blue, pink, silver, and yellow.
No changes are expected for the rear camera, front camera, USB-C port, or accessory compatibility, including Apple Pencil support.
The big changes should be inside
As for major upgrades, the most notable one is expected to be under the hood, in the form of an A19 processor (the same chip used in the iPhone 17), built on a 3-nanometre process, with improved speed and efficiency over the A16 in the current model.
That’s enough power to run Apple Intelligence, which the existing A16-equipped model doesn’t support. How exciting that is, depends on your opinion of AI. No judgement here.
If Apple Intelligence does land, the new cheap iPad would also need to increase the current 6GB RAM to 8GB – the minimum required for Apple Intelligence. Even if you’re tired of AI fluff, that extra RAM will still be a welcome bonus.
The same low-cost iPad report also claims the new chip will bring hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which could improve gaming performance.
Elsewhere, there’s also speculation that the entry-level iPad could have Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, outpacing the current generation’s Wi-Fi 6 chip.
For cellular versions, MacRumors also says that the next low-cost iPad could adopt a more power-efficient Apple-designed modem, following Apple’s C1 and C1X modem chips used in some iPhones and iPads.
How much will the new cheap iPad cost?
As for pricing, the current cheapest iPad model will set you back from $349 / £329, and rumours show no indication of prices changing in the newer model. Which would be nice.
The new iPad speculation follows Apple CEO Tim Cook teasing “a big week ahead,” with announcements starting Monday 2 March, with expectations of a three-day stretch of product announcements running till 4 March.
Other products that could be revealed include new MacBooks – potentially cheaper, colourful models, and an updated MacBook Pro with a touchscreen and iPhone-like Dynamic Island.
As with all Apple rumours, we’re reserving judgement on all of the above, until everything is official. Luckily, we don’t have long to wait.
Esat Dedezade
Contributor 
