Apple is gearing up for one of the most significant updates to its tablet lineup in recent years. According to an analytical report by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg, cited by RBC-Ukraine, the company is rethinking virtually every segment of the iPad range — from the compact mini to the flagship Pro. At the heart of the changes are a shift to OLED displays, the introduction of next-generation processors, and deep integration of artificial intelligence into the user experience. A public release of a fully reimagined Siri is expected in autumn 2026, while an update to the flagship lines with M5 and M7 chips is slated for spring 2027. In this way, Apple is building a multi-stage strategy in which every segment of the lineup receives its own hardware and software improvements.
Siri Gets a "Second Wind": AI Based on Gemini and Foundation Models
The key software event of autumn 2026 will be the release of an updated Siri, developed using Google Gemini algorithms and Apple's own Foundation Models. According to Gurman's report, the new assistant is capable of understanding the contents of a device's screen and searching for documents, photos, or receipts by vague descriptions — for example, with a query like "find the document that was sent to me a few weeks ago." Siri will also gain text-editing features: the system recognizes the user's communication style and helps correct or rephrase what has been written. The assistant's integration into the system will be total: it can be invoked from virtually any menu, and the Spotlight search bar will become a full-fledged window for AI queries. At the same time, Apple emphasizes that deep integration of hardware and software guarantees confidential data processing without the need for paid subscriptions.
iPad mini and the iPhone Fold Intrigue
Apple is working on a new generation of iPad mini, which will feature an OLED display. However, the screen will run at a 60 Hz refresh rate without ProMotion technology support, making it a compromise compared to the more expensive models in the lineup. The release of the compact tablet may coincide in time with the announcement of the company's first foldable smartphone — the iPhone Fold. When unfolded, this smartphone will have dimensions close to those of the iPad mini, creating direct competition within the ecosystem. The main differentiators of the premium foldable device will be more advanced cameras and an improved screen. Analysts note that this overlap in form factors could affect future demand for the mini series.
Base iPad 12: Delay Due to Rising RAM Prices
The release of the affordable base iPad 12 with Apple Intelligence support has been pushed to 2027. The reason for the delay is the rising cost of RAM on the global market. For AI features to work stably, the device must have at least 8 GB of RAM and a chip of the A18 or A19 class. Apple postponed the release to avoid a significant price increase for the mass-market buyer. After the update, the base model is expected to become one of the most cost-effective solutions for learning, creating presentations, and working with text, while maintaining an accessible price point.
Spring 2027: iPad Air with M5 and iPad Pro with M7
In spring 2027, an update to the flagship lines is planned. The iPad Air will receive the M5 processor, which demonstrates up to a 3.5-fold acceleration in AI algorithm processing compared to the M4. The iPad Pro, according to Gurman's data, may immediately receive the next generation of Apple silicon — the M7 chip, skipping the basic intermediate versions. This will deliver a significant leap in the speed of complex AI computations and reinforce the Pro models' position as a professional tool. In parallel with the new tablets, Apple is preparing updated versions of the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple Pencil Pro styluses.
Apple Pencil and EU Repairability Requirements
In line with the European Union's new repairability requirements for electronics, Apple is developing a new battery system for its accessories. It will allow a worn-out battery to be replaced at service centers instead of forcing the purchase of an entirely new stylus. This decision reflects the company's broader trend of adapting to EU regulatory standards, which take effect in phases from 2025 to 2026.
Contradictory Data
Open sources reveal a discrepancy in the launch timeline for the flagship models. Gurman's main report points to spring 2027 as the date for the iPad Air (M5) and iPad Pro (M7) updates. However, the outlet ITC.ua, citing the same analyst, previously reported that the new iPad Pro and iPad Air would be released "on the week of May 6," without specifying the year of the article's publication. If that note refers to the 2026 cycle, it may concern an intermediate or partial update, distinct from the full transition to M5/M7 described in the later report. Alternatively, the ITC.ua publication may relate to a previous product cycle. Forbes, for its part, characterizes the expected iPad Pro update as the "first major one in six years," which indirectly confirms the scale of the changes but does not resolve the question of exact dates. Until Apple's official confirmation, both versions remain within the realm of analytical forecasts.
