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New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Expected to Launch by Late October

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Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display "by the end of October" this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

ipad-mini-7-feature-red-and-blue.jpg

Apple already updated the iPad Pro with an OLED display in May 2024, but the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are all still equipped with LCD screens. The move to OLED technology would result in the next iPad mini offering improved image quality, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.

Given that OLED displays are generally more expensive than LCDs, the next iPad mini could have a higher starting price compared to the current model.

Gurman did not provide any other details about the next iPad mini today, but he previously reported that the device would receive a new type of speaker system and increased water resistance. The next iPad mini is also rumored to be powered by either an A19 Pro or A20 chip, up from the A17 Pro chip in the current model.

The current ‌model launched in October 2024, with the A17 Pro chip enabling Apple Intelligence.

Article Link: New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Expected to Launch by Late October
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/new-ipad-mini-by-end-of-october-report/
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The only thing I hear here in this post is that it may have a higher starting price than the original. At that point I turn off.

There is a certain value you can put on a product relative to the perceived benefit you receive. We are getting way past that point for me here. I am glad some of you see the value, because if you did not, Apple would die.
 
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Shame that the price is going to be higher. After the last price increase my current A17/512GB/5G is €1239~$1445 which includes 21%VAT in the Netherlands. I had it since launch and will keep it a bit longer. A compromised 1st Gen 60Hz OLED solution for €1400 is not something I want myself.
 
With all the price hikes, I see the iPad losing its attractiveness and becoming even more of a "want" than a "need" device. I personally have the Air M1, and I will keep on using it until it starts to seriously fall behind, simply due to the ridiculous cost of iPads these days. It's not a laptop, it's not a phone, it's a device that I use purely for content consumption and I think I am not the only one who is like that. The high price tag just does not justify the purchase anymore. And even those who buy it will use it for far longer than the previous models.
 
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antonrg said:
With all the price hikes, I see the iPad losing its attractiveness and becoming even more of a "want" than a "need" device. I personally have the Air M1, and I will keep on using it until it starts to seriously fall behind, simply due to the ridiculous cost of iPads these days. It's not a laptop, it's not a phone, it's a device that I use purely for content consumption and I think I am not the only one who is like that. The high price tag just does not justify the purchase anymore. And even those who buy it will use it for far longer than the previous models.
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Ever since owning my first iPad in 2018, I've always struggled to find a use for it, and that's when the prices were more reasonable. If I didn't use mine for taking notes during lectures, I'm not sure I'd use it at all. And that's only because I already have it. I surely wouldn't buy one now.
 
OLED is good. it is an ipad mini that i am looking forward to it.

i am using ipad mini A17 Pro currently. The screen is decent, but indeed could not fight with OLED.

however, interestingly, with iPhone Air i am using now, i actually use lesser of my ipad mini becos iPhone Air is so light to use which nowadays i did not even carry ipad mini unless during my WFH days for work purpose. Mostly use ipad mini to compliment my iPhone Air usage at home.

however, if ipad mini with OLED display but with 60Hz, then will be a bit wasted.
 
whitby said:
The only thing I hear here in this post is that it may have a higher starting price than the original. At that point I turn off.

There is a certain value you can put on a product relative to the perceived benefit you receive. We are getting way past that point for me here.
Click to expand...
Good argument for the used market. A lot of secondhand devices one or two gens old are fantastic products at an even better price.
 
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antonrg said:
With all the price hikes, I see the iPad losing its attractiveness and becoming even more of a "want" than a "need" device. I personally have the Air M1, and I will keep on using it until it starts to seriously fall behind, simply due to the ridiculous cost of iPads these days. It's not a laptop, it's not a phone, it's a device that I use purely for content consumption and I think I am not the only one who is like that. The high price tag just does not justify the purchase anymore. And even those who buy it will use it for far longer than the previous models.
Click to expand...
I've just replaced the battery in my old ipad as it still does what I want it to do. I have an M4 ipad from work and it does exactly the same thing as my old ipad, just maybe a fraction of a second quicker!
 
antonrg said:
With all the price hikes, I see the iPad losing its attractiveness and becoming even more of a "want" than a "need" device. I personally have the Air M1, and I will keep on using it until it starts to seriously fall behind, simply due to the ridiculous cost of iPads these days. It's not a laptop, it's not a phone, it's a device that I use purely for content consumption and I think I am not the only one who is like that. The high price tag just does not justify the purchase anymore. And even those who buy it will use it for far longer than the previous models.
Click to expand...
Yes you’re not alone. I started out with a 12.9 inch iPad Pro back in 2018 and had high hopes for it and future versions of it. I just never got into using it from a productivity standpoint as I work in a Windows-centric company and so I found myself using it mostly for general browsing and content consumption. As more powerful Pro models came out I couldn’t justify buying them so I went with a Mini 6 for the portability. I liked it a lot and upgraded it to the mini 7. The Mini 8 may be enticing for me from a display upgrade standpoint, we shall see, but nothing mentioned in the rumors points to a must have at this point.
 
JordanKowi said:
If it doesn't have a 120hz display it won't be worth it.
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Seconded. It doesn't bother me as much on the iPhone (16e is fine) but its really noticeable on the iPad, especially the iPad Mini which still suffers from the off-putting 'jelly scroll'.

OLED, Pro Motion, IP68 (and maybe the ability to drive a full 16:9 external display?) are all things it needs. Price wouldn't put me off because the luxuries and ergonomics would be worth it. The sheer utility of the Mini is almost silly. If they ever added Watch support to it I'd ditch my iPhone in a second.
 
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