iPad 12 Leak Reveals A19 Chip and 8GB RAM

MW Contributor · 2026-09-26T20:16:10+08:00

Apple's next entry-level iPad could receive one of its biggest internal upgrades in years, with leaked code pointing to an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, Apple's C1X 5G modem and N1 wireless networking chip. The specifications were discovered in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Some of the components have appeared in earlier reports, but the latest findings provide further evidence about Apple's plans for the 12th-generation iPad. Apple has not announced the new iPad, and its final specifications and launch date remain unconfirmed. The biggest change would be the move from the A16 chip in the current entry-level iPad to the A19. Apple's existing 11-inch iPad uses an A16 with a five-core CPU, four-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. It is also the only current iPad model that Apple does not advertise as being built for Apple Intelligence. The reported A19 upgrade would therefore be significant beyond the expected increase in CPU and graphics performance. The chip supports Apple Intelligence, which would bring Apple's generative AI features to its cheapest iPad for the first time. The leaked configuration also points to 8GB of RAM, up from the reported 6GB in the current model. The additional memory would support the hardware requirements for Apple Intelligence while giving the entry-level iPad more memory for apps and multitasking. Connectivity could receive an equally substantial upgrade. The cellular version of the next iPad is reportedly set to use Apple's C1X mobile modem instead of the modem found in the current generation. Apple currently uses the C1X in devices including the latest iPad Air. On that model, the modem provides sub-6GHz 5G with 4x4 MIMO and Gigabit LTE. Apple says the C1X in its current iPad Air provides up to 50% faster mobile data performance while operating more efficiently than the previous generation. The existing A16 iPad already supports sub-6GHz 5G and Gigabit LTE on its cellular models, so the main change would be Apple's move towards its own modem technology rather than the addition of 5G itself. Apple's N1 networking chip is also reportedly coming to the iPad 12. That could move the entry-level iPad from Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 while adding Thread networking support. Apple's current products equipped with N1, including the latest iPad Air, support all three technologies. Together, the A19, C1X and N1 would bring several technologies already appearing elsewhere in Apple's product range to its least expensive iPad. The current 11-inch iPad was introduced with the A16 chip and starts with 128GB of storage. It has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, a landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera, a 12MP rear camera, Touch ID and USB-C. It supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and first-generation Apple Pencil. In Malaysia, Apple currently sells the 128GB Wi-Fi model for RM2,049, while the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular version costs RM2,749. Storage options extend to 512GB. There is no indication yet that the 12th-generation model will receive a major external redesign. Its display, cameras, storage configurations, accessories and colours have also not been confirmed. Apple has not announced when the new entry-level iPad will be released. MacRumors currently expects the iPad 12 to arrive around spring 2027, which would mean there may be no replacement for the A16 model during the remainder of 2026. Pricing is similarly unknown. Apple could retain the current positioning of the entry-level model, but there is not yet enough information to establish what the iPad 12 will cost when it launches. If the leaked specifications are accurate, Apple Intelligence is likely to be the most consequential change. It would remove one of the main capability differences between the entry-level iPad and Apple's more expensive iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro models, all of which currently support Apple Intelligence.

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September 26, 2026 at 8:16 pm
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Apple’s next entry-level iPad could receive one of its biggest internal upgrades in years, with leaked code pointing to an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, Apple’s C1X 5G modem and N1 wireless networking chip.
The specifications were discovered in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Some of the components have appeared in earlier reports, but the latest findings provide further evidence about Apple’s plans for the 12th-generation iPad.
Apple has not announced the new iPad, and its final specifications and launch date remain unconfirmed.
The biggest change would be the move from the A16 chip in the current entry-level iPad to the A19.
Apple’s existing 11-inch iPad uses an A16 with a five-core CPU, four-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. It is also the only current iPad model that Apple does not advertise as being built for Apple Intelligence.
The reported A19 upgrade would therefore be significant beyond the expected increase in CPU and graphics performance. The chip supports Apple Intelligence, which would bring Apple’s generative AI features to its cheapest iPad for the first time.
The leaked configuration also points to 8GB of RAM, up from the reported 6GB in the current model. The additional memory would support the hardware requirements for Apple Intelligence while giving the entry-level iPad more memory for apps and multitasking.
Connectivity could receive an equally substantial upgrade.
The cellular version of the next iPad is reportedly set to use Apple’s C1X mobile modem instead of the modem found in the current generation.
Apple currently uses the C1X in devices including the latest iPad Air. On that model, the modem provides sub-6GHz 5G with 4×4 MIMO and Gigabit LTE. Apple says the C1X in its current iPad Air provides up to 50% faster mobile data performance while operating more efficiently than the previous generation.
The existing A16 iPad already supports sub-6GHz 5G and Gigabit LTE on its cellular models, so the main change would be Apple’s move towards its own modem technology rather than the addition of 5G itself.
Apple’s N1 networking chip is also reportedly coming to the iPad 12.
That could move the entry-level iPad from Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 while adding Thread networking support. Apple’s current products equipped with N1, including the latest iPad Air, support all three technologies.
Together, the A19, C1X and N1 would bring several technologies already appearing elsewhere in Apple’s product range to its least expensive iPad.
The current 11-inch iPad was introduced with the A16 chip and starts with 128GB of storage. It has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, a landscape 12MP Center Stage front camera, a 12MP rear camera, Touch ID and USB-C. It supports the USB-C Apple Pencil and first-generation Apple Pencil.
In Malaysia, Apple currently sells the 128GB Wi-Fi model for RM2,049, while the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular version costs RM2,749. Storage options extend to 512GB.
There is no indication yet that the 12th-generation model will receive a major external redesign. Its display, cameras, storage configurations, accessories and colours have also not been confirmed.
Apple has not announced when the new entry-level iPad will be released. MacRumors currently expects the iPad 12 to arrive around spring 2027, which would mean there may be no replacement for the A16 model during the remainder of 2026.
Pricing is similarly unknown. Apple could retain the current positioning of the entry-level model, but there is not yet enough information to establish what the iPad 12 will cost when it launches.
If the leaked specifications are accurate, Apple Intelligence is likely to be the most consequential change. It would remove one of the main capability differences between the entry-level iPad and Apple’s more expensive iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro models, all of which currently support Apple Intelligence.
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