Exclusive: Apple's 2026 iPad Lineup Leaked – M5 Pro, OLED Mini, Budget A18 Model & Surprise Upgrades Revealed

Exclusive: Apple's Largest iPad Leaks To Date – Unreleased

Devices, Hidden Chips, and Surprise Features

August 19, 2025 – Apple's next-generation iPad family has been swept with a record-breaking series of leaks, shedding light on previously unrevealed information about new devices, surprise hardware features, and even part of the company's road map several years down the line. Although none of these products have been confirmed by Apple, various sources such as internal software code, supply chain leaks, and cybersecurity mishaps have unveiled what is possibly the biggest iPad update in years.

Here, we dissect each significant leak, starting from the M5-fueled iPad Pro to a completely new iPad mini design and even a secret HomePod-iPad hybrid that Apple never intended you to hear.

1. The M5 iPad Pro: A Performance Beast

Apple's new iPad Pro will get a significant boost with the M5 chip, which is the fastest generation jump in iPad history. Based on code leaks in Apple's developer software, the M5 will have:

A 10-core CPU (from M4's 8-core)

A 12-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing

A next-generation Neural Engine optimized for Apple Intelligence 1117.

Why this is important: The M5 will apparently allow desktop-grade gaming on iPadOS, with console-grade titles such as Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding supported. Rumors point to a 40% GPU increase over the M4, which would make it the most powerful tablet ever made 11.

Release date: Mass production is set to kick in late 2025, with a release date sometime in early 2026 11.

2. The OLED iPad Mini (Finally!)

Finally, after all these years of speculation, Apple is refreshing the iPad mini to OLED—but with a twist. Internal codenames (J510/J511) expose:

A19 Pro chip (same as iPhone 17 Pro)

Thinner bezels and 120Hz ProMotion screen

New colors, such as "Deep Purple" and "Midnight Green" 410.

Surprise leak: A secret iOS 19 code fragment indicates Apple is testing Face ID for the iPad mini, a feature that was hitherto exclusive to Pro models. If confirmed, this would make the mini the most powerful compact tablet available 10.

Release window: Spring 2026 6.

3. The Low-Cost iPad with A18 Chip

Apple's budget entry-level iPad is being stealthily upgraded. Leaked firmware confirms:

A18 chip (previously only in iPhones)

Double the base storage (128GB, previously 64GB)

Apple Intelligence support—a first for the non-Pro range 614.

Why it's a big deal: This iPad will be the most affordable way to get AI features such as on-device Siri, AI photo editing, and smarter autocorrect. Price stays the same at $349, beating out Android competitors 6.

Launch: March 2026 14.

4. The Enigmatic "Apple Studio Display 2"

A leaked Apple internal briefing (codename J427) shows a next-generation Studio Display with:

Mini-LED backlight (brighter than the present model)

ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate

Internal A-series chip for "smart display" features 410.

Rumor mill: Certain code strings suggest Touch ID in the stand, which has led people to believe that Apple might embed security features directly into the display 10.

Launch predicted: Early 2026 4.

5. The Vision Pro 2's Secret Connection to iPad

Apple's second-generation Vision Pro (codenamed N109) will be powered by the M5 chip, but leaked schematics reveal something astonishing—iPadOS compatibility.

Documents indicate a "shared compute" mode, wherein the Vision Pro is able to tap an iPad's processing capabilities. 

A patent indicates a magnetic docking system, making the iPad a controller or secondary display 11.

Why this is big: This would potentially imply iPad apps running natively on Vision Pro, blurring the tablet-AR headset boundary.

6. The Forbidden Leak: Apple's "HomePad" Prototype

The biggest explosive leak is from an internal Apple Slack leak, where engineers chatted about a shelved HomePod-iPad hybrid (HX3). Features:

Detachable 8-inch touchscreen

Magnetic charging stand with speaker array

Siri-driven smart home control

Why it was shelved: Apple was afraid it would cannibalize iPad sales, but the project could see rebirth in 2027 as part of its homeOS push 10.

Final Thoughts: Apple's Biggest Year Yet?

2025-2026 might be Apple's most ambitious iPad cycle yet, with:

✅ M5 iPad Pro (performance champion)

✅ OLED iPad mini (at last!)

✅ A18 budget iPad (AI for everyone)

✅ Vision Pro + iPad synergy (game-changer)

The question on everyone's mind: Will Apple officially announce these leaks, or will they stay under wraps until launch? One thing's for sure—the iPad lineup will never be the same.

Sources:
MacRumors: Every Apple Secret That Leaked Wednesday 10
Fortune: Apple's Accidental Hardware Leaks 4
TechPowerUp: M5 iPad Pro Production 11
Apple's Own Code Leaks (via Forbes) 2

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