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Apple's next entry-level iPad is shaping up to be a much bigger upgrade than usual. The iPad 12 will come with an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, Apple's own N1 wireless chip and a C1X modem, according to details found in Apple's internal code.
The specs were first spotted by MacRumors writer Aaron Perris, who dug through Apple's code, and were reported by Kuai Technology on September 26. Apple has not officially confirmed the device.
A19 Chip and 8GB of RAM
The biggest change is the chip. The iPad 12 is set to jump to the A19, from the A16 chip inside the current iPad 11. Memory also goes up from 6GB to 8GB of RAM.
That extra memory is important. Apple Intelligence, Apple's set of AI features, needs at least 8GB of RAM to run, which is why the iPad 11 doesn't support it. With the A19 and 8GB, the iPad 12 will have the hardware to run Apple Intelligence and the new generation of Siri, features that have so far been limited to the pricier iPad Air and iPad Pro.
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 5G
The iPad 12 will also use Apple's in-house N1 network chip, which handles Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It brings support for:
- Wi-Fi 7, the latest Wi-Fi standard
- Bluetooth 6
- Thread, a protocol used by smart home devices like smart bulbs and plugs
The cellular model will use Apple's C1X modem, with support for Sub-6GHz 5G, the most common type of 5G network. Current iPads use a Qualcomm modem, and Apple's C1X is expected to be more power efficient, which could help battery life.
Same Design, Same Screen
On the other hand, there's no sign of a design change so far. The iPad 12 is expected to keep the same look as the iPad 11, though Apple could add new colors.
For reference, the current iPad 11 starts at 2,999 yuan in China. It comes with an 11-inch LCD screen at 2360 x 1640 resolution and a USB-C port, and it does not support Apple Intelligence. The iPad 12 is expected to keep a similar entry-level screen.
What We Know So Far
In a nutshell, the iPad 12 upgrade is all about the chip, memory and AI, not the design or display. Apple has not announced a release date or price yet. If Apple keeps pricing close to the iPad 11, it could become one of the cheapest ways to get Apple Intelligence on any Apple device.
We'll keep you updated as more details about the iPad 12 come out.