Julie Clover
Apple is working on an update to the low-cost iPad, which hasn't received an update since 2022. As an entry-level product, the iPad doesn't get a lot of attention or gossip, but we've heard a little bit about what might be coming to iPad 11.
Design
Apple has overhauled the look of the iPad in 2022, introducing a 10.9-inch all-screen design and a Touch ID power button, so we don't expect any further design changes at this point.
Apple will likely keep the 10.9-inch display and design similar to the iPad Air, but we may get new colors. Current colors include silver, yellow, pink, and blue. The iPad already has a USB-C port, which will remain, and it will continue to support the USB-C Apple Pencil.
A-Series Chip
The current 10th-generation iPad has the A14 chip, which was first used in the iPhone 12 lineup, and it's getting old. The logical choice for the next iPad is the A16, which was used in the iPhone 15 models, but if Apple wants to make Apple Intelligence as accessible as possible, the A17 Pro or A18 chip isn't out of the question.
Of course, adding support for Apple Intelligence would also require a lot more memory, and the iPad is currently limited to 4GB, so it might be too expensive for Apple to give it that functionality while keeping the price affordable.
Either way, the A16 would be a major improvement even if it didn't support Apple Intelligence. It would be faster and more efficient, so battery life could potentially be improved.
Other Updates
Apple is updating most of its products to Wi-Fi 6E or better, so we can expect Wi-Fi 6E support for the low-cost iPad. The current model supports Wi-Fi 6, so it is not compatible with the faster 6GHz band available with Wi-Fi 6E routers.
Cost
We haven't heard any rumors of any price increases for the iPad 11, so we still expect prices to start at $349 for 64GB of storage. Apple has been increasing some minimum storage options in recent years, so there is a chance we could see a bump to 128GB of storage without a cost increase, but there have been no rumors of that.
Apple only sells the iPad 11. in 64GB and 256GB configurations right now.
Release Date
Apple is rumored to hold an event in October to unveil new M4 Macs and a new iPad mini 7, so maybe we'll see the iPad then.
Rumors about the iPad 11 launch date have been vague, however. Analyst Ross Young recently said that displays for the device won't start shipping until October, which is late for an October debut and actually more appropriate for a 2025 launch.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple is working on a new Magic Keyboard accessory for the low-cost iPad and/or iPad Air, expected to ship by mid-2025. It may not make sense to release the iPad 11 until this accessory is ready, since Apple typically doesn't separate accessory and device launches.
Of course, if this is truly an iPad Air-only accessory, the keyboard may not impact the iPad 11 launch date at all.
Buying Advice
If you're planning on buying a budget iPad and can wait, we recommend holding off on the new model. The current version is two years old, and the chip inside is even older. You'll get the most bang for your buck if you wait for the upgrade.
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