Apple is preparing to refresh the bulk of its iPad lineup in the first half of 2027, according to Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman. Following the recent launch of a new iPad mini with an OLED display, the company is expected to introduce updated versions of the entry-level iPad, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro between January and June. Gurman has indicated that no further iPad models are currently planned for the second half of the year, concentrating the tablet updates into the opening months.
The next iPad Air is expected to gain an OLED display, bringing the technology to Apple’s mid-range tablet after its debut on the Pro models and the newly updated mini. This change would represent one of the most significant display upgrades for the Air in years. The device is widely expected to move from its current M4 chip to the M5, though that detail comes from surrounding reporting rather than Gurman’s latest comments. Earlier supply-chain information has suggested the Air could use a more cost-effective single-stack OLED panel rather than the tandem dual-layer version found in the Pro, potentially leaving higher peak brightness and faster refresh rates as higher-end features.
On the Pro side, the major addition is expected to be a vapor chamber cooling system. The sealed design uses a small amount of liquid to move heat away from the processor more efficiently, helping the tablet maintain higher performance for longer periods during demanding tasks such as gaming or intensive on-device AI work. The current iPad Pro already uses the M5 chip; the next generation is anticipated to step up to the M6. Display sizes are expected to remain at 11 inches and 13 inches. Gurman has previously reported that Apple was testing four new Pro models aimed at a spring 2027 window, with the focus primarily on internal upgrades rather than a major redesign.
The entry-level iPad, which has not received a substantial update since early 2025, is also slated for a first-half 2027 refresh. Prior leaks and code references point to an A19 chip paired with 8GB of RAM, which would finally bring Apple Intelligence support to Apple’s most affordable tablet. The model is further expected to include Apple’s N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7 and the more efficient C1X modem in cellular versions. Design and screen changes are not anticipated. The update arrives after Apple raised prices on the current entry-level iPad earlier this year, citing memory chip shortages.
Apple has not confirmed any of these plans, and exact launch timing within the first half of the year remains unspecified. Past patterns have often placed iPad announcements in the spring, but the concentrated schedule outlined by Gurman leaves open the possibility of staggered releases across the January-to-June window. As with most pre-announcement reporting, details could still shift before any official unveilings.
MacDailyNews Take: An OLED iPad Air is going to be very compelling, if Apple can price it right! Of course, the new iPad Pros will be, as always, the very best tablets available.
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