Apple Reportedly Plans OLED iPad Air and Three More iPads for 2027

Apple is said to be preparing three more tablets for the first half of 2027: a new iPad Air, a new iPad Pro and a new entry-level iPad. The claim comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared it in his Power On newsletter on Sunday. It follows Apple’s recent announcement of an iPad mini with an OLED display, so the company’s tablet lineup looks set for a busy stretch. None of this is confirmed by Apple.

What is reportedly coming

According to Gurman, the three models are planned for the same window, the first six months of 2027. Here is what has been said about each one:

• iPad Air: the next model is expected to use an OLED display, the same screen technology Apple chose for the new iPad mini.
• iPad Pro: Gurman expects a vapor chamber system, a cooling part that spreads heat away from the chip.
• Entry-level iPad: this is the iPad 12, the cheapest tablet in the family.

Chips and the basic iPad

The report does not spell out processors, but the MacRumors write-up assumes the new iPad Air will get an M5 chip and the iPad Pro will move to the M6 chip. Treat those as educated guesses rather than confirmed details.

For the basic iPad 12, earlier rumors point to a few upgrades. These include an A19 chip, which would allow Apple Intelligence support, an N1 chip that brings Wi-Fi 7, and Apple’s power-efficient C1X modem in models with cellular. In plain terms, the cheapest iPad could gain Apple’s AI features and faster wireless networking.

Why a vapor chamber matters

Thin devices slow down when they get hot, because the chip lowers its speed to protect itself. A vapor chamber is a sealed, flat cooling layer that moves heat away from the processor more evenly. Gurman’s point is that it should help the iPad Pro hold its speed during long, demanding tasks rather than only in short bursts. If you edit video or work in big files on an iPad, this is the detail to watch.

What it means for buyers

If these reports are right, waiting could pay off for some shoppers:

• If you want an OLED screen on an iPad Air, the rumored timing suggests holding off until 2027.
• If you are eyeing an iPad Pro mainly for sustained performance, the vapor chamber may be worth the wait.
• If you need a basic tablet now, remember that the rumored iPad 12 would add Apple Intelligence support, which current basic models are not said to offer.

Rumors can change, and a window of “the first half of 2027” is wide. Buying today is still reasonable if your current tablet is failing, but it helps to know what may be around the corner.

What we still do not know

Apple has not announced prices, names, exact dates or final specifications for any of the three tablets. The chip choices for the iPad Air and iPad Pro remain assumptions, and Gurman’s timing is a plan, not a promise. Expect more details to leak as 2027 gets closer, and treat anything until Apple’s own announcement as provisional.

Source: MacRumors