Apple dropped support for iPadOS 26 on the 7th generation iPad primarily due to the device's age and hardware limitations, specifically its use of the Apple A10 chip. Despite the 7th generation iPad being released in 2019, it runs on the Apple A10 SoC, which is a slightly older processor introduced in 2017. iPadOS 26 requires a minimum of an A12 processor or later for compatibility, which means the 7th generation iPad does not meet this baseline requirement.
Apple's decisions to discontinue software support for certain devices typically revolve around ensuring that the new operating system runs efficiently and can support the latest features without being hindered by older, less powerful hardware. iPadOS 26 introduces a significant new design language called Liquid Glass, which features real-time rendering, dynamic light reflection, and complex translucency effects requiring substantial processing power. These features are better supported by newer processors starting from the A12 chip and beyond, including models integrated with Apple Neural Engine and later-generation chips.
While Apple does not publicly lay out detailed reasons for dropping support for individual devices, the need to provide a smooth, optimized user experience and maintain security and performance standards on its devices strongly influences these decisions. The A10 chip in the 7th generation iPad cannot fully support the graphical and computational demands of iPadOS 26's new design and advanced functionality, leading Apple to exclude this model from the update.
This version of iPadOS also shifts Apple's update strategy slightly, marking the first time support was dropped specifically for the 7th generation iPad with the 10.2-inch display, making it the sole iPad model excluded this year. The move aligns with a broader trend where Apple phases out older hardware that lacks the necessary components for newer operating system features, focusing support on devices with more recent chipsets capable of handling advanced computing tasks, including Apple M1, A17 Pro, and later processors.
Functionally, the 7th generation iPad will no longer receive new system features or enhancements introduced in iPadOS 26. However, Apple generally continues to provide security updates for a limited time after a device is dropped from major OS upgrades, though these are not guaranteed beyond a certain limit. Users of the 7th generation iPad can still use the device with iPadOS 18 and benefit from existing apps, but will miss out on the new design and features of iPadOS 26 and potentially future software updates.
In summary, Apple's dropping of iPadOS 26 support for the 7th generation iPad is a result of its outdated Apple A10 processor, which cannot efficiently support the advanced features and performance requirements of the new OS, reflecting Apple's typical practice of ensuring the latest software runs smoothly and securely on newer, more capable hardware.