Why Now Is the Worst Time to Buy Apple’s Budget iPad
Apple’s standard iPad, often referred to simply as the iPad, has long been a favorite among consumers due to its affordability, starting at $349. However, if you’re considering purchasing one now, it would be wise to hold off.
The current model, released in March 2025, is over a year old. While this alone might not deter potential buyers, the imminent arrival of a new model makes waiting a prudent choice.
The 2025 iPad is powered by the A16 chip, which lacks support for Apple’s latest suite of AI-driven features known as Apple Intelligence. This means it doesn’t offer functionalities like Writing Tools, Image Playground, Clean Up, Live Translation, notification summaries, Smart Reply, Priority Messages in Mail, Visual Intelligence, and other AI-related tools.
While Apple Intelligence is still relatively new, its absence will become increasingly noticeable as Apple continues to integrate more AI capabilities into its ecosystem.
Rumors suggest significant enhancements are coming in iOS 27. Siri is expected to evolve into a full-fledged chatbot, the Camera app will likely incorporate Visual Intelligence, the Photos app may introduce AI-driven editing tools, and Shortcuts could become more automated. These advancements will further highlight the limitations of the A16 iPad.
The next iteration of the iPad is anticipated to feature the A18 chip, which supports Apple Intelligence. This upgrade promises faster performance, increased RAM, and, most importantly, future-proofing with access to the AI features Apple is heavily investing in.
Patience will be required, as the exact release date of the new iPad remains uncertain. An update alongside the low-cost iPhone 17e would have been logical, but that didn’t materialize. A new entry-level iPad isn’t expected in the first half of 2026, so a release in September or October seems likely.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicated in March that an updated low-cost iPad is ready to go and still coming this year. Despite the potential wait of several months, it’s advisable to hold out for the next iPad to benefit from the enhancements that come with Apple Intelligence support.
