OLED display
The next-generation version of the iPad Mini may feature an OLED display, part of Apple’s plan to expand the display technology to many of its other devices. Apple’s first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, followed by the iPhone in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024. It now apparently plans to bring the technology to more devices like the iPad Air, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and may start with the iPad Mini next year.
The current iPad Mini has the same Liquid Retina LCD display as the iPad Air. OLED offers higher contrast with true blacks, wider viewing angles, faster response times, better efficiency and generally better picture quality than LCD.
A19 Pro Chip
The current iPad mini came out in 2024, with the main upgrades over the previous version being the A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence support. The previous generation introduced a complete redesign and the A15 Bionic chip.
In August, Apple accidentally shared code that revealed important information about the next-generation iPad mini with the codename J510/J511: the device has the A19 Pro chip, which is used in the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The current iPad mini uses a version of the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro with a five-core GPU. The A19 Pro used in the iPhone Air also has a five-core GPU, as opposed to the full six-core version in the iPhone 17 Pro models, so it looks like this binned version of the chip will be the one used in the next iPad mini.
water resistant design
bloomberg Apple is claimed to be working on a version of the iPad Mini that has a more water-resistant design, making it the first iPad with a water resistance rating.
While the iPhone has IP68 water resistance which allows it to withstand submersion in water up to six meters deep for up to 30 minutes, it is not yet known what IP rating the iPad mini might have. The updated casing of the iPad Mini is expected to offer the same water resistance as the iPhone, making it safe for casual use in wet environments like the shower or pool area.
Redesigned speaker system
Apple has reportedly developed a new speaker system for the iPad Mini that uses vibration-based technology, eliminating the speaker holes in the device. Removing the speaker holes will reduce the areas where water can get into the cracks of the iPad mini.
For the iPhone, Apple uses adhesives and gaskets to protect the speaker holes and other entry points from water ingress, so the iPad Mini will have a different design. The current iPad Mini does not have an official water resistance rating and is not safe to get wet.
Release date and price
There are no specific rumors about when the next iPad mini will be released, but it is likely to launch alongside the new iPad Air models in the first half of 2026. With an OLED display, water resistance, a new speaker system, and a faster chip, the device is expected to be more expensive, and Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device. The iPad Mini currently starts at $499.
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