Apple's next generation of iPads could be getting some meaningful hardware upgrades, with new details reportedly uncovered inside the company's own code. According to information spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, both the 12th-generation entry-level iPad and the eighth-generation iPad mini appear set to receive faster chips, improved connectivity and several design changes.
The two models are not expected to arrive at the same time. The iPad 12 is reportedly targeting a spring 2027 launch, while the iPad mini 8 could arrive much sooner, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously suggesting a launch by the end of October.
iPad 12 Could Finally Gain Apple Intelligence
The biggest upgrade for the entry-level iPad is expected to be the move from the current A16 chip to Apple's newer A19 processor. That change would not simply improve performance; it could also bring support for Apple Intelligence, something the current model cannot run.
The leaked details also point to 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the existing 11th-generation iPad. That increase would be particularly important because Apple Intelligence requires at least 8GB of memory, making the extra RAM more than just a multitasking upgrade.
Together, the A19 chip and additional memory could bring the entry-level iPad much closer to Apple's more premium tablets in terms of AI features and next-generation Siri capabilities.
Apple May Replace Qualcomm's Modem
The cellular version of the iPad 12 is also expected to adopt Apple's own C1X modem, replacing the Qualcomm modem used in the current model.
The C1X reportedly supports sub-6GHz 5G connectivity while also delivering improved power efficiency. That would continue Apple's broader effort to reduce its dependence on third-party modem suppliers and bring more of the device's core silicon under its own control.
Alongside the modem, Apple is also said to be using its N1 networking chip, which would bring support for newer connectivity standards including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
That combination could make the entry-level iPad considerably more future-proof for wireless networking and smart-home connectivity.
The Entry-Level iPad Could Become Much More Capable
Apple's base iPad has traditionally been positioned as the most affordable model in the lineup, aimed at students, families and users who do not need the hardware of the iPad Pro or Air.
If these leaked specifications are accurate, the gap between the entry model and the rest of the lineup could shrink considerably. Apple Intelligence support, 8GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 7 and a newer modem would make the iPad 12 feel much less like a basic tablet and more like a mainstream entry point into Apple's wider AI ecosystem.
The A19 chip should also provide plenty of headroom for gaming, creative apps and productivity work, even if the overall design remains similar to the current generation.
iPad mini 8 Could Get the More Powerful A20 Pro
The iPad mini 8 appears to be taking a more performance-focused route. According to the leak, Apple is expected to equip the compact tablet with an A20 Pro chip.
That would give the next-generation mini a substantial performance upgrade and could make it particularly appealing to users who want powerful hardware in a much smaller form factor.
The iPad mini has always occupied an unusual position in Apple's lineup. It is compact enough to be genuinely portable but powerful enough for tasks that go well beyond media consumption. A20 Pro could push that balance even further.
Front Camera May Finally Move to Landscape Orientation
One of the more practical changes reportedly coming to the iPad mini 8 is a redesigned front-facing camera position.
Apple is said to be moving the camera into a landscape orientation, matching the positioning already adopted across much of the rest of the iPad family. If this happens, the iPad mini would become the final current iPad model to make the transition.
The change should make video calls feel more natural when the tablet is being used horizontally, particularly with a keyboard or stand. With the camera centred above the display in landscape mode, users would appear to be looking more directly toward the person they are speaking with.
It is a small change, but one that could make everyday use noticeably better.
A New Speaker System Could Support Better Water Resistance
The iPad mini 8 is also expected to receive a redesigned speaker system. This may connect to an earlier report suggesting Apple is experimenting with a vibration-based speaker design for the next mini.
Such a system could help Apple reduce the number of traditional speaker openings in the chassis, potentially improving resistance to water and dust.
That would be a meaningful change for the iPad mini, especially given its portability. A device that is often carried around, used while travelling or held in environments where larger tablets are inconvenient could benefit significantly from improved durability.
The exact implementation remains unclear, but it suggests Apple may be rethinking the internal structure rather than simply swapping in a newer processor.
OLED Display Rumours Continue
Separate rumours have also suggested that the next iPad mini could adopt a slightly larger OLED display.
An OLED panel would be a major visual upgrade over the current LCD screen, offering deeper blacks, stronger contrast and potentially better power efficiency depending on usage. For a device often used for reading, gaming, video and photography, the improvement could be particularly noticeable.
A small increase in screen size would also make sense if Apple can achieve it by reducing bezels rather than making the overall device significantly larger.
Nothing in the reported code leak definitively confirms the OLED display, but it remains one of the more persistent rumours surrounding the next iPad mini.
Apple Is Bringing More Custom Silicon Into the iPad Lineup
One of the more interesting themes across both devices is Apple's continued move toward greater hardware integration.
The iPad 12 is reportedly combining the A19 processor with Apple's C1X modem and N1 networking chip, reducing reliance on external suppliers. The iPad mini 8, meanwhile, could receive the higher-end A20 Pro and a redesigned audio system.
This strategy mirrors what Apple has already done across the iPhone and Mac. The more components Apple designs internally, the more control it gains over performance, efficiency, connectivity and long-term software integration.
That could become increasingly important as Apple Intelligence and other AI features become more deeply integrated into the operating system.
The iPad 12 Looks Like the Bigger Practical Upgrade
While the iPad mini 8 may receive the more powerful chip, the iPad 12 could end up being the more significant upgrade for mainstream users.
Moving the entry-level iPad to 8GB of RAM and Apple Intelligence support would expand access to features currently reserved for more expensive models. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Apple's own modem would also modernise the platform considerably.
For students, families and general users, that combination could make the base iPad one of the most capable entry-level models Apple has released.
The main drawback is timing. If the spring 2027 launch window is accurate, buyers will still have quite a while to wait.
Final Thoughts
The latest code leak suggests Apple is preparing meaningful upgrades for both the iPad 12 and iPad mini 8, rather than simply refreshing them with minor performance improvements.
The iPad 12 could gain an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, Apple Intelligence support, the C1X modem and N1 networking chip, bringing features such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread to Apple's most affordable tablet.
The iPad mini 8, meanwhile, appears set for an A20 Pro processor, redesigned front camera placement and a new speaker system, with separate rumours continuing to point toward OLED and a slightly larger display.
If these details prove accurate, both devices could become much more capable without fundamentally changing their place in Apple's lineup.
The entry-level iPad looks set to become smarter and more connected, while the mini may become more powerful, more modern and potentially more durable.
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