Tim Hardwick
Apple is planning to release an entry-level iPad 11 in the spring, and iPadOS 18.3 will come pre-installed on shipping units, according to a source with a proven track record in upcoming Apple software updates.
Several reports over the past few months have suggested that Apple is developing an 11th-generation iPad, scheduled to launch around the same time as the new iPhone SE 4 and iPad Air in the spring.
Today's source adds weight to the evidence. Apple is expected to release iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 in late January or early February, which would give the company plenty of time to get the latest software on new devices for shipping around March.
Rumors about new features are rare, but today's source says their information doesn't confirm rumors that the low-cost iPad will include Apple's upcoming custom 5G modem, which is also expected to feature in the iPhone SE and iPhone 17 Air in 2025. Apple's modem chip will be capable of theoretical 5G download speeds of up to 4Gbps, slower than the Qualcomm modems in current phones. The chip won't support the fastest mmWave 5G and will instead be limited to sub-6GHz 5G.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the device will likely support Apple Intelligence, which suggests the iPad 11 will have a newer A-series chip compared to the iPad 10 and at least 8GB of RAM. Apple released the iPad 10 in October 2022 with the A14 Bionic chip. Gurman also said Apple is working on a new Magic Keyboard accessory for the low-cost iPad and/or iPad Air, which is expected to launch by mid-2025.
Apple has released the first betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, but there's no word yet on what's included. What we do know is that Apple is still working on rolling out Apple Intelligence features. iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 include Image Playground, Genmoji, and Siri ChatGPT integration, but there are still new Siri features planned for next year.
We may see updates to Siri in iOS 18.3, and features Apple is developing include personal context, on-screen awareness, and the ability to do more within and between apps.
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