Apple has refreshed its iPad lineup with increasingly powerful models featuring artificial intelligence, but one has been left out of the revolution: the basic iPad. After more than two years of waiting, Apple has updated this model with a processor that isn’t compatible with Apple Intelligence, raising many questions.
However, a recent CIRP report has revealed the real reason behind this decision, and it all makes sense. We’ll tell you the reasons that led Tim Cook’s team to make this controversial decision.
Standard iPad without Apple Intelligence: Why?
In recent years, Apple has been pampering its iPad lineup with significant improvements. The iPad Pro has received a spectacular M4 processor and a dreamy display, the iPad mini has jumped to the A17 Pro with support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and the iPad Air has grown to 13 inches with two consecutive refreshes. But while all these models have evolved significantly, the most affordable iPad has been left in the shadows, with a minor update that hasn’t allowed it to jump on the AI bandwagon.
The question is obvious: why has Apple decided to limit its most popular model so much? The answer lies in the sales figures. According to the CIRP report, the cheapest iPad has been steadily gaining ground within Apple’s tablet market. In 2021, it accounted for only 15% of sales, but in 2022 it rose to 21%, in 2023 it reached 30%, and in 2024 it soared to 38%. This means that more and more users are opting for the cheaper option instead of investing in higher-end models.
For Apple, this poses a problem. While any sale is a sale, the company prefers customers to spend more on high-end products, where profit margins are much higher. If the cheaper iPad continues to gain market share, premium models could suffer, and Apple would lose significant revenue. And this is where the strategy they implemented with this latest update comes into play.
Why doesn’t the iPad have AI?
First, Apple delayed the update of the entry-level iPad for longer than usual. When it finally arrived, it did so with minimal improvements and no support for Apple Intelligence. By leaving it out of the new wave of artificial intelligence, Apple is sending a clear message: if you want the latest technology, you’ll have to pay more. In this way, Apple is trying to steer the public toward purchasing other, more expensive iPads, ignoring the entry-level lineup.
Now it all makes sense. Apple hasn’t forgotten the basic iPad, nor has it neglected it by mistake. It was a deliberate decision to slow its growth and ensure that users with higher technological demands opt for the higher-end models. This allows the company to balance its sales and strengthen its business strategy without losing control of its own market.
For those looking for an affordable and functional iPad, the base model remains an attractive option, but it’s clear that Apple has reached the limits of its potential. If you want the company’s best, you’ll have to look higher… and spend more money.
