Overview
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the hardware is finished, calling the A18 iPad “ready to go” and still due this year.
- Timing is expected within the iOS 26.4 cycle, making an April debut plausible with a possible slip into May depending on logistics.
- The refresh is framed as a spec bump focused on moving from the A16 to the A18 to enable on‑device Apple Intelligence.
- A redesign is not expected, and rumored additions like Apple’s C1 modem or N1 networking chip remain unconfirmed.
- Some prior coverage floated an A19 instead of A18, but Apple has not announced the chip choice and reports remain conflicting.