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

[Saturn1217]

iPad mini is a nice piece of hardware - still except for some niche applications (e.g. use by salespeople),
the purpose of the device is unclear to me.
For casual reading/media consumption at home the screen is too small, to be on the move the device it is too big.

Especially with the foldable around (which will be mobile and provide a decent screen) not sure what this device should do going forward.

For casual reading at home the screen is the perfect size. This is actually what has stopped me from buying a larger iPad Pro (with better specs and a better screen). I can't use those devices easily for reading, unlike the iPad mini. I suspect you mean, for movie/youtube watching specifically the screen is too small. But for reading book type content the screen size is perfect. I personally also find the screen size excellent for stuff like youtube considering that most of us are also watching this on large phones.

If you regularly carry a small bag (ie most women), the iPad mini is the only iPad that can come with you just like a phone. So again on the move the iPad mini is actually the only device that is not too big for a large subset of the population.

I get that for some people what you say is true. But your statements are far from universal.

 

[Bazza1]

Regardless of the guts (and the logo), the iPad Mini at $499 is $300 too expensive for a sub-10" tablet. It's awkward footprint is a non-starter, as well. Screen dimensions on a larger tablet don't necessarily equate in smaller devices as often the purpose changes, too.

 

[DMG35]

Faster chip, OLED screen, more waterproof design sound like nice updates to me. What super exciting upgrade did you think was going to happen to an established product?

What part of my statement makes you think I am expecting a super exciting upgrade? Peak iPad boredom.

 

[MacFarmer]

if it is 100$ more, I want 256GB base model!

 

[SilmarilFinder]

I’ve got an 11" iPad Pro M1 with 128GB. Still absurdly fast, still does everything fine, except now I'm having limitations of the storage.

60Hz screen is a hard no for me so the only real option is a new iPP but can't justify the £900+ price tag.

Like iPhone 17 getting 120Hz screens of the modern age rather than early 2010s, I could consider an iPad Air when smooth scrolling stops being treated as a luxury/pro feature.

 

[applefella]

Looking forward to grabbing one of these.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I’m an artist and have been using a 2018 iPad Pro as my main device for the last 7 years. I also got an iPad mini 7 for when I really wanna travel light. It’s the perfect size digital sketchbook when on the go. 👍🏼 Altho the thought of an OLED screen with a 120hz refresh rate on the iPad mini 8 is tempting, I probably won’t upgrade right away. I first have to upgrade my 7 yr old iPad Pro first!

 

[Acronyc]

I love the iPad mini. It's my favorite iPad and I've had one since the first gen release.

For me, an iPad cannot replace a computer, so when I travel I need to take my MacBook Air. I don't want to take that and a heavier iPad, but the mini is small and light enough that it's a good combination for me.

At work, I use it to take notes. On the road, I use it for media consumption (books, movies, internet, etc.) as it's much easier to handle and use while traveling than a computer. I also use it in the kitchen a lot for referring to recipes while cooking.

 

[Abydos]

time for reprise of the Everly brother's classic "all I have to do is dream"

 

[DocMultimedia]

Until Gurman says it's true...I won't believe it. 🤣

 

[darkblu]

iPad mini is a nice piece of hardware - still except for some niche applications (e.g. use by salespeople),
the purpose of the device is unclear to me.
For casual reading/media consumption at home the screen is too small, to be on the move the device it is too big.

Especially with the foldable around (which will be mobile and provide a decent screen) not sure what this device should do going forward.

Allow me to chime in as a since-gen-1 mini user.

* The size of the mini is about the size of a normal paper book -- the screen size is perfectly targeted for text consumption, as also proven by Kindles et al. This also concerns mobility -- If you can carry around a normal paper book, you surely can do the same with a mini.
* The smaller footprint makes it a *much* better balanced device to hold for prolonged sessions. Try holding a normal ipad by the edge/side for a while, try the same with a mini -- you'll surely notice the difference.
* Despite their diminutive appearance, minis have always received decent innards -- the "good chip of the day", so to say. I used to actively play arcade games on minis for quite a while. Particularly arcade racers where you steer by using the accelerometers in the tablet. Nowadays my wife has taken over the minis at home for all her tablet needs. And she downsized from normal ipads.

To sum it up, size does matter, especially when backed by processing power.

 

[Originalblez]

This is a great news for those who love this iPad size a features. I used to be so excited on iPad mini UNTIL foldable iPhone was announced to come. Foldable phone is the perfect hybrid phone and mini tablet in one pocketable device. So, iPad mini is no longer on my mind. iPad mini might be kept a while to address the customers who loved them. How long? Until Apple decides it is no longer profitable.

Depends whether you want two devices or one ... the cost for the Fold could be more than an iPad mini and iPhone.

The big test for Apple is whether they cripple it on 60hz or not. If they do, they have not interest in the device.

 

[i4k20c]

Allow me to chime in as a since-gen-1 mini user.

* The size of the mini is about the size of a normal paper book -- the screen size is perfectly targeted for text consumption, as also proven by Kindles et al. This also concerns mobility -- If you can carry around a normal paper book, you surely can do the same with a mini.
* The smaller footprint makes it a *much* better balanced device to hold for prolonged sessions. Try holding a normal ipad by the edge/side for a while, try the same with a mini -- you'll surely notice the difference.
* Despite their diminutive appearance, minis have always received decent innards -- the "good chip of the day", so to say. I used to actively play arcade games on minis for quite a while. Particularly arcade racers where you steer by using the accelerometers in the tablet. Nowadays my wife has taken over the minis at home for all her tablet needs. And she downsized from normal ipads.

To sum it up, size does matter, especially when backed by processing power.

as someone who has a mini - what is your favorite arcade racing game to play on it? any suggestions for an external remote also?

my hope with the mini is they can work on the brightness. it stinks to read on it outside where you need something brighter.

 

[macbookj0e]

I love my mini but it’s poor we have to pay a premium just because it’s small. The value vs the base iPad is bad and even the air it’s not great.

If Apple increase the price further it will be enough to put me off upgrading.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Loved my iPad mini when I got it, but by 2026 standards it feels like it lacks the ability to fold it in half to make it fit easier in pockets.

It's still an excellent mini display as part of my desk setup in my office (calendar, todlist/tickets, and so on), but as far as a mobile device I either want it to be bigger, or I want it to fit into a pocket easier.

The Samsung Z TriFold is basically the benchmark for a device like this, imo.

The iPad Mini starts at 499 and the Samsung Z TriFold starts at 2500 and is very fragile to boot. The Z Trifold is the benchmark of a waste of money.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I keep wondering what will be first.

A. New iPad Mini
B. New Apple TV

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I think that the iPad Mini is a great device and actually very reasonably priced even compared to the base iPad. Also, I cannot see why a foldable iPhone would replace the Mini, I personally will prefer sticking with an iPhone Pro Max and owning a Mini as having both costs less than a folding iPhone will, the camera on the Pro is better than the camera on the Fold will be, and both the iPad Mini and iPhone Pro Max are more durable than the fold ever will be.

 

[darkblu]

as someone who has a mini - what is your favorite arcade racing game to play on it? any suggestions for an external remote also?

my hope with the mini is they can work on the brightness. it stinks to read on it outside where you need something brighter.

I used to be hooked on Real Racing, and low and behold that happened on the mini 2. Their steering by accelerometer was impeccable. I eventually got irate with the gatchа nature of the game and stopped playing. But the technology behind the game was solid, while the experience lasted for me. Nowadays I don't play racers that much, but I do heartily recommend Horizon Chase 2.

Where I do still play is on the appleTV, though, just not racers. There a proper bluetooth gamepad gets the job done just fine.

 

[now i see it]

If you want an iPad mini, buy the current model now before this flickering OLED abomination gets released.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

This thing is going to cost $799 isn't it

 

[turbineseaplane]

This thing is going to cost $799 isn't it

Oh yeah.... for WiFi only also.

I wouldn't be surprised if they jack up the Cellular surcharge too ... just because

We are lemons, and they love squeezing us.

 

[Farquar]

We've heard nothing but conflicting and confusing rumors about OLED on iPad for years and years. It is safe to say Apple is planning something, but no one has a full picture of it.

Tim Cook's Apple will probably think its a good idea to keep the existing mini at $499 and add a new model w/oled at $599. Because that's what the iPad lineup needs...more models.

I support Apple keeping an old design around and selling it as cheaply as possible for kids and education, but beyond that, there should only be ONE model of iPad...that can come in multiple sizes. The iPad does not have enough distinct utility to justify tiers. Apple, stop being greedy, and merge all of these iPads into 1 product. Stop feature gating. Put Face ID, OLED, M4 or M5, ProMotion, and everything else you can think of into, make an 8", 12" and 15" model, and charge a reasonable price for it.

 

[jackedint]

there must be a reason they are still building/updating it 🙂.

We have a maxxed-out purple version (my wife wanted it) - still struggling to find a use case.

IMHO, the use case for the iPad mini is the Apple Pencil. If you are not using the Apple Pencil with the iPad mini, find a better case & application to use it. The form factor of the mini + the Apple Pencil just work…
Interesting to see Apple update the mini again so soon, mini updates usually take longer than most… each time it’s been updated it really adds to a better experience with the Apple Pencil.
If you don’t use the Apple Pencil &/or never plan to learn, maybe the mini is the right table for you. There is bigger (& brighter) options today but this rumored update to the mini continues to close the gap.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

With an OLED, iPad mini might be a nice alternative to Kindle Colorsoft.

Although what it would make up for in terms of multi-functionality, it would lose in terms of dedication to a single function (something some users actively look for in a device, to improve focus).

You don’t have to install apps other than ereader apps or set up email and other distracting things. The iPad Mini is very capable of being used as a single purpose device.

 

[boston04and07]

I really hope this gets Face ID. I really can’t see myself going back to not having it now that I have it on all my other devices. I would need that to justify the upgrade.