New chips, not new designs, will define Apple’s next entry-level iPad and iPhone 17e as the company gradually expands its entry-level lineup.
Report from MacOtakara published on February 6, reports that Apple plans to keep the current design of both devices while upgrading their processors. The report reinforces a familiar pattern in Apple’s lineup, where entry-level models progress through internal improvements rather than visible redesigns.
MacOtakara is a long-standing Apple rumor with a solid supply chain approach and a track record that is mixed but generally reliable.
iPhone 17e and iPad refresh focuses on silicon
According to the report, the iPhone 17e will retain the same chassis and overall hardware design as the iPhone 16e. The most significant change would be the switch to the A19 chip, bringing its performance closer to the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup.
The device is expected to feature Apple’s proprietary C1X cellular modem and N1 wireless networking chip. The display hardware and TrueDepth camera system are not expected to change, and this model is unlikely to feature Dynamic Island, contrary to some earlier rumours.
The same report says Apple will take a similar approach with the next entry-level iPad, often referred to as the base or unnumbered model. The tablet would reportedly retain the same casing as the current iPad with an A16 chip, while upgrading to an A18 processor and increasing the memory to 8GB.
These changes would bring the base iPad in line with Apple’s current platform requirements. The current A16-based model remains popular with students and families, but its internal limitations already place it at the bottom of Apple’s long-term software map.
Why Apple Sticks to Incremental Updates
Apple has long relied on in-house upgrades to push its core devices forward, especially in the iPad line. Processor and memory upgrades have traditionally been Apple’s primary way of keeping entry-level models current while maintaining stable design and predictable pricing.
The same pattern is expected to continue with the next entry-level iPad and iPhone 17e. The silicon update allows Apple to align these devices with current platform requirements across iOS, iPadOS and macOS without introducing new covers or major component changes.
Apple’s approach mirrors the iPad’s strategy, where internal improvements are predictable while exterior redesigns are infrequent. For basic hardware, processor capacity and memory represent the baseline for device development.