A code leak of a future iOS 26 release references codenames for the A19 iPad and M4 iPad Air, which confirms expectations that the devices will be revealed relatively soon.
Apple is a secretive company, but it operates with a fairly predictable pattern. The iPhone is updated every fall, Macs have a regular update structure, and iPads generally release every 12 to 18 months.
So, it should surprise no one that internal code at Apple is already referencing the next iterations of the base iPad and iPad Air. The code was seen by MacWorld in an "internal Apple code document" found in an "internal pre-release build of iOS 26."
These statements suggest that this isn't code found in the upcoming iOS 26.2, and it isn't clear if this could be referring to iOS 26.3 or iOS 26.4, which would help pinpoint when to expect the iPad announcements. It seems more likely that it is iOS 26.4, since it is a bit further out and aligns closer to Apple's usual spring iPad launch schedule.
The code revealed the codenames J581 and J588 for the standard iPad, which will have the A19. That means the entry-model iPad generally purchased for education markets will finally gain access to Apple Intelligence.
The other leaked codenames J707, J708, J737, and J738 refer to the upcoming iPad Air with M4 processor. There's also a suggestion that the new iPad models could have the N1 networking chip, but that is likely based on other rumors and can't be gleaned from the codenames.
These upgraded iPads arrive after Apple's fall 2025 release of the iPad Pro. A new iPad mini with OLED is also expected in 2026, but not until the second half of the year.
Expect Apple to reveal these devices via press releases in the spring, at least unless Apple has some other reason to hold a spring event. These iPads alone won't merit one, but a new smart home hub or AI-focused launch could.
