iPad enthusiasts will have a lot to choose from next year. Apple is gearing up to launch several new models in 2024, starting with the iPhone 17 series, which will follow the usual fall release pattern. 
This lineup will feature the regular iPhone 17, a slimmer iPhone 17 Air, and a redesigned iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
But that’s not all. Early 2026 looks packed as well, with the next iPhone 17e and fresh iPad models expected to arrive by spring. According to a recent report, entry-level iPads (with internal codenames J581 and J582) and new iPad Air variants (J707, J708, J737, J738) will launch just one year after the current versions, which debuted in March 2025.
Apple is likely to replace the current $349 iPad 11th gen (iPad A16) around March or April 2026, with a new version, possibly named iPad 12th gen. This new model will likely resemble the current one but will come equipped with a faster chip. The A17 chip, found in the iPhone 15 series, is the likely candidate for the upgrade.
If you need a reliable base iPad for studying, kids, or simple tasks like browsing and entertainment, this upcoming model will be more than adequate. I’ve been using the current version, and it’s an excellent all-around device for everyday use without needing to handle it carefully.
For those needing more power, the iPad Air models will also get an upgrade, moving from the M3 to the M4 chip. These models are expected to arrive around the same time as the new entry-level iPads. Although the design will likely remain unchanged, the M4 chip will bring a significant boost in performance.
On the high end, the iPad Pro is due for a refresh with the M5 chip as early as October. But if you’re looking for something sooner, the iPad Pro M4 (2024) is still an excellent choice, offering top-tier performance, even though it’s only been out for about a year.
Apple is clearly stacking up new iPad models with better chips and slight design adjustments for 2024. But the real excitement might come from the software side with the introduction of iPadOS 26.
Until now, iPads have been limited by their software, but iPadOS 26 is changing that with a new feature called Stage Manager 2. This system introduces a menu bar that appears when you connect a keyboard, making the iPad feel more like a Mac. You can now resize windows, move them around, and open multiple windows simultaneously. Plus, the iPad will remember the size and position of apps, so everything opens just the way you left it.
Stage Manager 2 also lets you group windows into distinct “stages” and works seamlessly with external displays. Background tasks will now be highlighted with Live Activities, giving you better control and visibility.
With these software upgrades and the latest powerful chips, the next iPad release could spark a real debate over whether to choose an iPad or a MacBook. Until now, iPads couldn’t quite match the capabilities of Macs, but thanks to these software improvements and the addition of cutting-edge hardware, the iPad might soon be the smarter choice for some users.