The next iPad mini is nearly ready, and a new report indicates Apple plans to release the OLED-equipped tablet before the end of October 2026. The launch would arrive separately from Apple’s fall iPhone lineup, which is set to be headlined by the iPhone Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro.
According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, the updated iPad mini featuring an OLED display should go on sale by the end of October. That timing suggests the tablet will not appear at Apple’s upcoming “Surprise and shine” special event next month. Instead, Apple is likely to introduce it on its own, either through a press release or a separate event.
What to Expect From the Next iPad mini
Several notable upgrades are anticipated for Apple’s smallest tablet. Alongside the switch to an OLED panel, the device is expected to deliver faster performance, likely powered by either the A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip. Apple is also said to be improving water resistance through a redesigned casing, and adding a new vibration-based speaker system.
This would mark the first refresh of the iPad mini in two years. Apple last updated the model in October 2024, when it introduced the A17 Pro chip, support for Apple Pencil Pro, and compatibility with Apple Intelligence.
Pricing and Market Position
The iPad mini’s price rose by EUR 86 earlier this year, moving from EUR 429 to EUR 514. At the time of the report, it was available for EUR 489 at Amazon. Whether the next-generation model will carry an even higher price has not been confirmed.
One open question surrounds how the foldable iPhone Ultra could affect demand for the standalone iPad mini. The iPhone Ultra offers a 2-in-1 form factor that combines an iPhone and an iPad mini-style experience, raising the possibility of overlap between the two devices.
For now, the iPad mini remains Apple’s most compact tablet form factor, and the OLED upgrade would be its most significant hardware change since 2024.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
