2025 will be remembered as the year when, although we were still waiting for the real smarter Siri with artificial intelligence, Apple introduced the next generation AirPods Pro, ultra-thin iPhonetook his toll Professional iPhones to the next level and released fast Mac computers in several designs.
But perhaps the most interesting additions have come to Apple's iPad line. We have three new models: entry level iPad 11th generation, iPad Air with M3 chipAnd iPad Pro with M5. There was nothing new in the design, but with a nod to Bruce Springsteen, it was all about fuel injection rather than chrome wheels.
Apple showed more of its maps on iPad than ever before
It's clear that Apple has been balancing the iPad over the years – many users rely on their tablets for a combination of entertainment and productivity, and want their iPad to be the one device that rules them all.
Much of what iPadOS 26 delivered was focused on productivity improvements in the form of a proper menu bar and dock; more flexible, reliable and customizable multitasking; major update to the Files app; and support for background tasks. It looks more like macOS than ever before, including red, yellow, and green buttons for closing, minimizing, and expanding windows, and even a menu bar that looks just like macOS. We've delivered a Mac-like experience in a form factor that offers easier portability, unique capabilities and, perhaps most importantly, flexibility in terms of input.
You can control iPad with your fingers, trackpad, Apple Pencil, or even a connected mouse or trackpad. It's an eminently versatile product, but given how far Apple has come in performance—think of the refreshed iPad Pro released in 2024 with the M4 chip before that piece of silicon showed up on the Mac—the company needed to offer more robust software. How my colleague Lance Ulanoff learned from senior Apple executivesthis was something the company had been working on for quite some time.
iPadOS 26 arrived with most of the promised features in September 2025. I've used it on a wide range of iPad models, including the current 11th-gen lineup (mini, Air, and Pro) and the entry-level 9th-gen iPad—while that model isn't as capable as the 11th-gen iPad or iPad Pro, software updates are blurring the lines between models when it comes to performance.
As I wrote shortly after Apple introduced the new softwareEven though it was still in beta, it was a purpose-built update for the iPad that catered to the needs of iPad loyalists and stayed true to the spirit of Apple. It didn't destroy the classic iPad experience, but it did introduce a familiar and easy-to-understand way to manage windows. It also introduced some more advanced features that are designed for users who are already getting the most out of their iPad.
Maintaining equipment performance
I've reviewed every iPad Apple has released this year, and the common theme is increased speed – to the point where the benefits you'll get from upgrading to the Pro version are less clear than before. iPad Airnow in its second generation, comes in two sizes and is truly stunning, even if it's not as ultra-thin as the iPad Pro.
Coming in 11-inch or 13-inch sizes, with fun colors to choose from, long battery life, support for key accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, and an M3 chip under the hood, this is really the model to choose if you want a larger size without the Pro price premium and don't need enough power to use as your main device.
It's a powerful device that I keep coming back to even after testing the latest generation. iPad Pro with M5 under the hood. If you don't need additional brightness or contrast options OLED screen or Face ID – although I wish more models had this – it really depends on the budget.
Your choice gets even more complicated iPad 11th generation – Apple Pencil aside, it's a great model and probably the best iPad for most users. The A16 Bionic chip under the hood provides plenty of room for both work and play, and while it doesn't support Apple Intelligence, that doesn't really matter here. It ticks all the boxes you'd expect from an iPad, and at an affordable price.
The iPad mini has not received an update, which means that the dream of an OLED screen of this size remains so for now. But even this device supports New iPadOS 26 windowwhich makes the case for the Magic Keyboard even stronger than in years past. Please, Apple.
What will happen in 2026?
While I can't predict the future, the ever-turning Apple rumor mill gives us some insight into what we can expect from Apple in 2026, as well as an instructive look at what Apple has done this year. I think the next entry-level 12th-gen iPad could arrive at some point next year, but don't expect a treasure trove of new features.
I think the big upgrade here will be Apple's better A-series chip, which is not only more efficient but also adds support for Apple Intelligence. Let's hope that whatever version of iPadOS follows will finally also feature AI-powered Siri. Likewise, rumors suggest that the iPad Air will retain the same look and feature set, but will get a slightly faster M series chip, likely the M4.
Essentially, it will be an exact copy of Apple's approach to updating the iPad that we saw this year and last year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that new updates to the entry-level iPad and iPad Air will likely arrive sometime in 2026.
A more interesting model we might see next year is the iPad mini, with an updated design, an improved chip and an OLED screen. It probably won't arrive until the second half of the year, and it's also reported that it could come with a more water-resistant design.
The smallest iPad will likely be the most interesting change next year, while the iPad Pro could get a chip upgrade, although nothing major in terms of a redesign is planned until 2027. according to the latest data.
We might see more interesting developments in the refining of the new iPadOS experience and the introduction of new features – perhaps requiring more window customization to begin with. This is one of the biggest ways Apple can improve the experience for people who already have an iPad and could potentially tempt others to upgrade.
But if Tim Cook Listen, let's keep the list of supported models long when it comes to future updates. I think this is the main reason why 2025 has been such a strong year for iPadOS 26 and the iPad in general.
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