iPad mini soon with OLED – but probably without ProMotion
Apple is on the verge of overhauling its compact tablet – and is also preparing new models of other series. But are there technical shortcomings?
iPad mini 7 in various colors: successor soon with OLED for the first time?
(Image: Apple)
The seventh generation of the iPad mini will soon be two years old. According to a report, Apple is planning a successor soon and is apparently taking an important technical step in doing so. After the manufacturer already used larger OLED screens for the first time in the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models since the M4 variant from 2024, these are now also to be used for the first time in the compact tablet. However, a cut-down version of the organic light-emitting diodes with a lower refresh rate than known from the Pro models is apparently planned.
OLED mid-size coming
As the financial news agency Bloomberg writes, the new iPad mini 8 carries the internal codename J510. The current 8.3-inch LCD screen will be replaced by an OLED panel. Among other things, it promises better color reproduction with better black levels, and potentially lower power consumption. The new iPad mini screen fits in size between the iPhone OLEDs (since 2017, maximum size: 6.9 inches for the iPhone 17 Pro Max) and the iPad Pro. Availability could begin in the fall, possibly in October.
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Whether the form factor of the iPad mini will change due to the new screen has not yet leaked. It is conceivable that it will become slightly thinner as a result. Apple is likely to continue to use faster chips. Apple currently uses the A17 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in the iPad mini 7, which is already Apple Intelligence capable. Apple could switch to the A19 Pro from the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, which will likely be replaced by the A20 Pro this September. The entry-level price of the new iPad mini is likely to be higher than before, although Apple has already increased prices for the current models.
No ProMotion, other new iPads
Apparently not integrated into the iPad mini 8 is a higher refresh rate. A South Korean leaker claimed in mid-July that Apple will not use ProMotion, i.e., will not offer the up to 120 Hertz from the iPad Pro. According to the source, Apple is using an 8.4-inch LTPS hybrid panel.
In return, Apple plans to update other iPads: New entry-level iPads (then generation 12) and a new Air are planned “for next year”, possibly in the spring. Apple has recently succeeded in increasing iPad sales by six percent in the entire fiscal year. However, that was before the price increases. There are also rumors about new variants of the Apple Pencil for next year. First MacBooks with OLED are also expected in October – allegedly with up to 16 inches.
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