Apple Is Reportedly Planning a New iPad Air, Base iPad, and iPad Pro for the First Half of 2027
The next iPad Air is expected to gain an OLED display and upgrade from the M4 to the M5 chip.
Summary
Apple is preparing a massive hardware overhaul for early 2027, introducing three new iPad models to the lineup
The mid-tier iPad Air will receive an OLED display and the M5 chip, triggering a likely price increase
The entry-level iPad is gaining Apple Intelligence support, while the top-tier iPad Pro will integrate a vapor chamber for elite cooling
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is gearing up to launch three new iPad models in the first half of 2027. The impending roster overhaul will officially introduce a new iPad Air, a revamped base iPad and a next-generation iPad Pro. This release strategy marks a major technical shift for Apple’s more affordable tablets by bringing historically premium features down to accessible tiers. By injecting OLED technology and advanced software capabilities into the lower half of the lineup, Apple raises its baseline standard for entry-level devices.
The highly anticipated iPad Air represents a significant visual leap forward, as the mid-tier tablet is expected to gain an OLED display. Despite the panel upgrade, the device will retain a standard 60Hz refresh rate and keep its traditional Touch ID sensor rather than making the jump to Face ID. Under the hood, the next iPad Air is slated to upgrade directly from the M4 processor to the M5 chip. The base 11-inch model of the new iPad Air is anticipated to see a price increase, likely hitting the market at around $799 USD to $899 USD.
Further down the hierarchy, the base iPad is preparing for its first hardware update since early 2025. Apple is set to modernize its most accessible tablet, equipping the device with the A19 chip and 8GB of RAM. This memory threshold officially enables Apple Intelligence support on the entry-level model, expanding access to the company’s advanced software suite. Beyond processing power, the base iPad should also gain the N1 chip and the C1X modem to improve its networking performance. While no overarching screen or physical design changes are currently expected, Apple may offer the device in a series of refreshed color options.
At the top of the roster, the forthcoming iPad Pro is prioritizing performance and thermal management. The flagship tablet will add a vapor chamber to maintain cooling under heavy workloads. Powering the new iPad Pro will be an updated chipset, likely arriving as either the M6 or M7 silicon. With current models starting at $1,199 USD for the 11-inch variant and $1,499 USD for the 13-inch edition, the flagship will have gone roughly three years without a major revamp by the time this 2027 generation launches.
