Apple may introduce the iPad 12 with an A19 chip and the iPad Air with an M4 processor in the near future

New information about Apple’s planned iPad models for 2026 has surfaced online. According to reports, the company aims to refresh its entry-level iPad line with the latest A-series processor and at the same time introduce a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip.

MacWorld claims to have obtained an internal Apple code document related to a test build of iOS 26. This document reportedly contains several codenames and technical details for iPad models expected to arrive in 2026.

According to the file, a base iPad with the codenames J581 and J582 will be equipped with the A19 chip. This is the same processor currently used in the iPhone 17 series, which would represent a significant performance boost for the entry-level iPad. By comparison, the current 11th-generation iPad still relies on the A16 chip seen in the iPhone 14.

The new budget iPad is also said to feature Apple’s N1 wireless chip, first introduced with the iPhone 17. Other technical specifications and the overall design are expected to remain largely similar to the current iPad 11.

The internal code file also mentions a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. This device, listed under the codenames J707, J708, J737, and J738, is likewise expected to include the N1 chip. In terms of design and display, no major differences from the 2025 iPad Air are anticipated, with most of the upgrades focused on internal hardware.

According to the report, the A19-powered iPad 12 and the M4-based iPad Air could be introduced early next year, although an exact launch date has not yet been revealed. These leaks suggest that Apple is preparing to strengthen its iPad lineup for the coming year.