OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

[macduke]

A 9” iPad mini Pro would be neat. Maybe with the 2nm M6, along with rumored vapor chamber cooling for the M6 iPad Pro, allowing for a more powerful chip in a smaller device since it would be more energy efficient and could cool down better. They’d probably charge $799 for it, though.

 

[starlabjump]

When the iPad mini comes with an OLED display, a 90Hz or higher refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, and reduced bezel, I’ll finally upgrade from my mini 5.

 

[mlayer]

I'm generally onboard with the notion of creating two tiers of iPad mini. The only problem is that if a new mini packs the binned A19 Pro chip, there's a good chance it'll be gimped in terms of external display and USB support, as with the iPhone Air. They could bump up the support to support USB 3 and full external displays like the iPad Air (M-series) does. If that happens it's a must-buy for me, an M3 even moreso. If not I'm more likely to go low-end because it's a less capable device.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Don’t gimp the RAM!

That’s the one aspect of my Mini 5 that is aging quite poorly.


View attachment 2573686

It’ll be either 8GB or 12GB…I’m really 50/50 on this but an A19 Pro would suggest 12GB of DRAM, which would be fine.

 

[AlanMarron]

The iPad Mini is essentially a iPad Air Mini, they share the same spec profile.

More or less. When my mini-gen6 fell to its death, I replaced it with an 11” Air M2. I eventually bought a gen7, but the Air is my daily driver because it’s mostly the same but bigger.

 

[joeblow7777]

The menu bar is translucent in Desktop mode but black when using an app?!

Now I know why iPadOS 26 is such a mess with inconsistent frosting from app-to-app and font sizes that are too big.

Apple doesn't care about minor aesthetics anymore.

Have you not actually used a modern Macbook? None of this stands out during actual use. At least, not to most people.

 

[AlanMarron]

Have you not actually used a modern Macbook? None of this stands out during actual use. At least, not to most people.

My M1 Air isn’t “modern”?

 

[joeblow7777]

My M1 Air isn’t “modern”?

I think you know what I mean given the context of our conversation. I didn't know what other word to use. One with the current form factor? I didn't mean it in a judgmental way. I had just assumed that given your strong opinion you had experience using a Mac with the notch. My point was just that it's very easy to stop noticing it when you actually use the device. It's not even visible most of the time.

 

[AlanMarron]

I think you know what I mean given the context of our conversation. I didn't know what other word to use. One with the current form factor? I didn't mean it in a judgmental way. I had just assumed that given your strong opinion you had experience using a Mac with the notch. My point was just that it's very easy to stop noticing it when you actually use the device. It's not even visible most of the time.

The notch was the first thing that I noticed on a friend’s M4 Air—besides the fact that Apple had moved away from the tapered form factor.

I’ve gotten to the point with Apple and other gadgets that I may choose an older form factor over a new one. I like my 13 mini. I like my M1 Air. I like my car that doesn’t have a digital dashboard. Other stuff, too.

But back to the iPad mini. When I first got my gen6, I thought it should have been designed with Face ID. Someone on MacRumors said the fingerprint reader on the side button leaves more room for the screen. I agree. Face ID on the iPhone is great because it’s locking and unlocking a lot during a day. I don’t unlock my iPads nearly as often.

 

[SnoFlo]

Actually what can you do with an iPad Mini, except for reading books?

It replaced my physical notebook at work. I also use it to look up info during consultations as using my phone to do that may give the “wrong impression”.

 

[SiXiam]

Glad I traded in my Mini 7 for the M5 iPad Pro. Got sick of waiting for OLED and promotion. Now it is maybe 2026 or even 2027. Not worth waiting.

 

[svish]

Looks like it will be a significant update with OLED. Water resistance will be good to have. I think ProMotion will be present. Even $200 increase can happen. Would like to see some new colors.

 

[Sooby]

An iPad Mini with OLED will be fantastic. I'll likely upgrade from my iPad Mini 6 to one of these unless the iPad Pro 11 inch that I would like to buy will be small enough.

 

[chmania]

It replaced my physical notebook at work. I also use it to look up info during consultations as using my phone to do that may give the “wrong impression”.

Isn't it a very expensive notebook then?

 

[sramesh123]

Should Apple consider combining the iPhone Air thin profile in 2026/2027 into a foldable model that opens up into an iPad mini type device ? Would we accept this ?

 

[SiXiam]

An iPad Mini with OLED will be fantastic. I'll likely upgrade from my iPad Mini 6 to one of these unless the iPad Pro 11 inch that I would like to buy will be small enough.

Yeah it is way bigger with the 11". The 13 inch must be huge in your hands. That said you quickly adjust. Streaming videos or watching YouTube is just so much better on the 11" than the iPad mini (I had the 5 and 7). Also it is easier to rest on your chest while streaming in bed, while the Mini I was mainly holding it.

 

[unkl bob]

What enables always on display? Is that LTPO oleds? I really want to be able to use the mini as a reader and then dock it bedside in landscape and use it as a clock.

Old and retired, and between my home office and the bedroom, my iPhone 16PM spends about 16 hours/day in standby. I'd definitely take a new look at a iPad mini if standby was available. With all that real estate, maybe a split screen and some widgets. The phone has LOTS available.

 

[The Game 161]

oled would be great but nor sure would upgrade with foldable iphone on the way