Apple’s iPad 12 Reportedly Set for A18 Chip, Completing Apple Intelligence Lineup

The iPad mini line is known for its compact design, but its display and performance upgrades have come relatively slowly. With artificial intelligence advancing rapidly, computing power on mobile devices has become a key competitive battleground. Apple is working to bring Apple Intelligence across its product portfolio, and the performance upgrade for its small tablet is intended to strengthen edge-computing capabilities and preserve its lead in smart mobile devices.

According to the latest supply-chain leak, Apple could launch the iPad mini 8 as early as the second half of 2026. The new model is expected to feature the line’s first OLED display and is rumored to use the powerful A19 Pro chip with a 16-core Neural Engine to handle heavy future AI workloads. It would be the series’ most significant hardware overhaul in recent years.

Apple is positioning the iPhone 18 Pro as a premium hardware platform for its expanding artificial-intelligence services. The lineup pairs the new A20 Pro chip with Apple Intelligence and AI-powered Siri features, tying faster on-device processing to the company’s broader generative-AI push. Its main camera also introduces a dynamic aperture, giving users more control over incoming light and depth of field across different shooting conditions.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro with a starting price of $1,199 in the US, while pricing in Taiwan begins at NT$44,900. Preorders are scheduled to open on Sept. 12. The dynamic-aperture main camera marks the headline hardware change, while the A20 Pro is designed to support photography workloads and on-device AI features across Apple Intelligence and Siri.