Emir BardakçıA new analysis that Macworld has published on December 10, based on leaked code from an early iOS 26 build, has unraveled Apple’s core plans with regards to the 2026 iPad lineup. It would seem that Apple is ready with performance boosts both on the entry-level iPad and the iPad Air; even then, Apple’s strategy for RAM remains a laggard in comparison to what Xiaomi is already offering on tablets.
Entry-Level iPad Finally Gets 8GB RAM — A Spec Xiaomi Adopted Long Ago
Upcoming entry-level iPad, codenamed J581/J582, is expected to launch as iPad 12, and for the first time ever, Apple’s moving this model on to 8GB RAM. It will also boast the A19 chip, the very same processor utilized in the iPhone 17. The tablet will take approximately 50% faster performance from the current A16-based model.
While this is arguably the biggest upgrade in the history of Apple’s budget iPad, it should be mentioned at the outset that:
- Only Xiaomi Pad 6, Pad 6 Pro, Pad 6S Pro, and the upcoming Pad 7 series have offered options for as much as 8GB or even 12GB RAM years before now.
- Higher RAM configurations are thus relied upon by Xiaomi’s tablets, which have to do with heavy multitasking, advanced features of a stylus, and powerful AI workloads.
- While Apple is catching up, Xiaomi has already set a much higher bar for how much memory capacity and extended performance it takes to deliver on long-term value in the Android tablet ecosystem.
iPad Air Upgrading to M4, But Still Behind Xiaomi in Memory Flexibility
It’s reported that the iPad Air lineup, with codenames J707–J738, will shift from the current M3 to the M4 chip, providing swifter CPU and GPU performance. This will bring smoother AI operations and better efficiency, particularly for users upgrading from older models.
But despite strong processing power in the M4, Apple persists in holding back on RAM options:
- New iPad Air models are still believed to remain at 8GB RAM, with no higher variant being made available.
- From Xiaomi’s premium line of tablets, especially the Pad 6S Pro and the supposedly upcoming Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra, 12GB RAM is a capacity that comes regularly with these devices for wider multitasking freedom and better future-proofing.
With this RAM-first approach, Xiaomi places its tablets in a better position to handle AI enhancements in HyperOS, advanced gaming, and heavy app switching.
Both iPads Receive Apple’s New N1 Wireless Chip
Both the entry iPad and iPad Air will get Apple’s new N1 wireless chip to enhance connection stability and reduce latency. This is akin to Xiaomi’s continuous investment in advanced Wi-Fi systems and self-developed wireless enhancements across the Pad series.
No Redesign Planned — Apple Plays It Safe
Leakers shared information from the leaked code that suggests Apple won’t redesign the 2026 iPad or the iPad Air. “Both will keep:
- The same chassis
- The size of existing displays
- Present configurations of cameras
It contrasts with Xiaomi’s far more aggressive design refresh cycle: models such as the Pad 6 Pro brought thinner bezels and better-placed cameras to keep things modern.
iPad Pro and iPad mini Absent from the Code
The leaked iOS 26 build contained no references to the iPad Pro or iPad mini, suggesting: Their 2026 updates may be late Or included in a later development build This further widens the opportunity window for Xiaomi’s Pad 7 lineup next year.
