12th-Generation iPad: Release Date, Specs, and Everything We Know About Apple's 2026 Budget Tablet

[MasterControlProgram]

It's funny seeing "edge-to-edge display" and "thick bezels" in the same sentence! 😅

I've got an 11th gen for work use, my main iPad is an old M1 Pro, but the 11th gen is very solid IMHO, even with the latest iPadOS installed everything works very smoothly. If this was all I could afford, I would be pretty happy with it. These iPads are definitely good for non-technical family members who just want to scroll the webs and emails.

 

[CharlesShaw]

At this point the iPad must be the only non-laminated screen in production. Where are they even getting these things from?

"Sorry, Mr Apple. We don't want to bother producing these displays for you anymore. Either choose something else or find another factory. We have other customers to serve."

 

[tomtad]

"Sorry, Mr Apple. We don't want to bother producing these displays for you anymore. Either choose something else or find another factory. We have other customers to serve."

Apple understands economies of scale and it must get to a point where keeping producing this outdated technology bespoke to just this iPad costs more than just using what every other company is using. iPhone screens are shared with other companies for example.

It doesn't have the be a top of the line screen just laminate the damn thing. Even bargin bin Amazon tablets have had laminated screens for a long time now, a Nexus 7 I had in 2012 had one!

 

[CharlesShaw]

It doesn't have the be a top of the line screen just laminate the damn thing.

They are much better than I remember. I can't believe that I avoided non-laminated screens all these years just because everyone on MR and YT said they were inferior. I'm coming from an M1 Pro and the only way I can see that this isn't laminated is if I hold it at an angle under bright light to see the gap. To be fair, I don't use Pencil, where I'm sure it's better on laminated.

If non-laminated means paying so little for a screen with the same resolution and ppi as an 11" Air, then so be it.

I had two weeks to return it before deciding against buying another Pro. I was upgrading my M1 Pro to an M5, had BT issues, got spooked and returned it and got the A16 (10% off price match) with the grift card from the M1 trade in. (So I wouldn't be throwing more $$ to get a Pro back when I had no business upgrading in the first place.)

Single core is faster than M1 and I actually discovered that side button TouchID is better for how I hold an iPad and use it at arm's length on my desk. The only thing I will miss is the sound from quad speakers, but I use BT speakers most of the time anyway, which is how I ended up here, hehe .

 

[iMac The Knife]

I know it is the budget iPad, but that bezel has to go.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I know it is the budget iPad, but that bezel has to go.

LOL, I used agree with "ewwww, thick bezels" but I've noticed it's more comfortable to hold the iPad facing me when I'm lying on my back on the sofa or in bed. But of course I was one the fans of the 10.5" Pro design and then moved on to the current design. And Kindles have bezels for a reason.

 

[Siliconguy]

The 2026 model should be able to support Apple Intelligence features

So upgrade to the A16 model now which I was thinking of doing anyway. Got it. Maybe they will have Augmented Idiocy sorted out by the time the A16 dies, or maybe they will have admitted a statistical pattern matcher is not Intelligence. Either way is fine.

Yes, I caught the AI in yet another lie yesterday along with Monday's lie. It's not getting better.

 

[iMac The Knife]

LOL, I used agree with "ewwww, thick bezels" but I've noticed it's more comfortable to hold the iPad facing me when I'm lying on my back on the sofa or in bed. But of course I was one the fans of the 10.5" Pro design and then moved on to the current design. And Kindles have bezels for a reason.

Everyone is different of course, but I use my Z Fold 7 as an e-reader in all sorts of sitting/laying positions, and I've never had any trouble with accidental touches, etc. and the ZF7 has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 90.0%.

 

[deckard666]

My iPad Air 4th gen is just over 5 years old now and Apple are still doing themselves out of me upgrading it as it still runs absolutely perfectly - love the "planned obscelence" believers on here !

 

[CharlesShaw]

Everyone is different of course, but I use my Z Fold 7 as an e-reader in all sorts of sitting/laying positions, and I've never had any trouble with accidental touches, etc. and the ZF7 has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 90.0%.

Actually, you're the only person I "know" who has a foldable phone, and I'm genuinely looking forward to your review of the iPhone fold if they ever release one.

About the bezels when holding my iPad while reclining, my left thumb and forefinger make the letter "L" and I've never been comfortable covering any part of the screen. I'm sure I could adapt if needed, but for now I'm enjoying the thick bezels while they still exist.

 

[iMac The Knife]

Actually, you're the only person I "know" who has a foldable phone, and I'm genuinely looking forward to your review of the iPhone fold if they ever release one.

About the bezels when holding my iPad while reclining, my left thumb and forefinger make the letter "L" and I've never been comfortable covering any part of the screen. I'm sure I could adapt if needed, but for now I'm enjoying the thick bezels while they still exist.

I will definitely post a review of the iPhone foldable if Apple ever releases one, and it is a book-style foldable. I don't think I would leave Android at this point for iOS, but I'm not beholden to any company, any OS, etc.

 

[Mrbiggestman]

Even the cheapest Samsung tablet (the Tab 10 Lite) has 90 Hz. Apple has to realize this is 2025, not 2015.

And… it has by far one of the weakest chips, uses TFT LCD is is way worse than ips and lack the option for sim support so its far less versatile. Plus they cost more standard price.

 

[Mrbiggestman]

I know it is the budget iPad, but that bezel has to go.

ergonomically better though.

 

[lapstags]

And… it has by far one of the weakest chips, uses TFT LCD is is way worse than ips and lack the option for sim support so its far less versatile. Plus they cost more standard price.

both were $350