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

[BeerDrinkerDan]

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.

Not to pile on here, but I agree with the other replies that challenge your assertions. I love reading on this device and a regular iPad is too big for it to be a comfortable experience. I also enjoy watching shows, sports mostly, on it when I'm working out or as a side screen when I'M DEFINITELY WORKING AND NOT WATCHING THE OLYMPICS I SWEAR.

Carrying around the regular iPad is too much, reading books on my phone is too small, and for casual TV watching the Mini is perfect for me.

-bdd

 

[Farquar]

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.

The use case that has kept iPad mini from being discontinued is lab coat pockets, and other space-constrained situations. It is too small to be a true iPad. But it is larger and much cheaper than a Max size iPhone, so it has been used in very specific situations. It is not a device that has universal appeal or usability.

 

[justanotherdave]

I’m going to keep repeating this until I will it into existence.

I want an iPad Mini Pro with a brighter screen that I can use as an external video monitor for my video rig. iPhone is too small and I don’t like the third-party monitors on the market.

 

[muzzy996]

While I certainly can't argue against the fact that by volume the Mini is a niche product in the iPad lineup, or the fact that its size makes it less suitable for many tablet users, I do always find these threads entertaining as people post strong opinions on extremely limited use cases and others get riled up about it.

 

[elrojo69]

I love the ipad mini. the regular ipads are too big for me.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

We've reached peak boredom with iPads.

So they aren't flashy. The beauty of the iPad is that they are build to last, don't need to be upgraded often and get great software update support. Because of this, I was able to go from a iPad 2 (2011) to an Air 2 (2014), to a Air 4 (2020) and now a Mini 7 (2024).

I take the Mini with me everyday. It's the perfect size and fits comfortably in cargo pants pockets.

 

[UncleMac]

I’ve never owned an iPad Mini, but I see it as the perfect size. My iPad Pro crapped out on me and the Mini will replace it. The price however is just ridiculous.

 

[i4k20c]

I’ve never owned an iPad Mini, but I see it as the perfect size. My iPad Pro crapped out on me and the Mini will replace it. The price however is just ridiculous.

what do you believe is a more fair price?

 

[Ja50n]

Small enough to be a viable phablet?

 

[HouseLannister]

Excited for tiny tandem OLED iPad, because it gets us closer to a tandem OLED iPhone.

 

[Ja50n]

I’ve never owned an iPad Mini, but I see it as the perfect size. My iPad Pro crapped out on me and the Mini will replace it. The price however is just ridiculous.

I went the opposite direction… from the Mini to the Air to the Pro to the Big Pro. It seems for every device class I want a bigger screen… I bought all three Nintendo Switches in the same size trajectory, and boy does OLED look nice.

 

[geta]

I’ve never owned an iPad Mini, but I see it as the perfect size. My iPad Pro crapped out on me and the Mini will replace it. The price however is just ridiculous.

Buy once, cry once and then enjoy the Mini with a smile.

 

[orbital~debris]

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.

You're right, but sometimes it's the simple fact that a device can do something that prevents it from being a truly single function, focussed device.

 

[zenmacx]

I have to disagree on both counts. It’s Kindle-sized and fits into a jacket pocket, or any small bag one might use.

Yes I find the size ideal.

I would love to have Samsung Trifold but some issues have arisen and Samsung does NOT include the trifold Z in their Care plus insurance.

Currently enjoying my Z fold7 as it fits my mobile work requirements quite well. Leaving my iPad mini 7 as my favorite iPad around the house.

Now that I’ve learned a folding phone suits my needs, I would enjoy one from Apple. But rumors suggest theirs will be too small and an odd shape.

That said, even better would be the Samsung Tri Fold except that Care Plus insurance isn’t available presently. If that changes I’m all-in.

Regardless of the guts (and the logo), the iPad Mini at $499 is $300 too expensive for a sub-10" tablet.

Price is my single greatest issue with each of the iPad mini’s I’ve owed. My mini 7 sees lots of use, but it certainly doesn’t live up to the premium price.

It’s nothing more than Apples greed on full display.

 

[G5isAlive]

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.

Personal preference is a thing, not going to tell you that you are wrong for wanting something different for yourself. But yeah, as plenty have pointed out it's a great size for reading, like the kindle. Extremely comfortable in bed 🙂

Out of curiosity, what size iPad do you use, and what is its use case for you?

oh, and if you want to sell your maxed out purple version.. .🙂

 

[Lepton]

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.

Take an iPad Mini. Remove the (big) bezel. Fold it in half. Add a second camera and outside screen. You’ve got the rumored new folding device! The open screen is the same size as the mini. Coincidence? I think not. The new device could be an iPad Fold. It’s practically a laptop in your shirt pocket, and it justifies the price.

 

[rhett7660]

I freaking love my iPAD Mini... if I just didn't buy one, I would be all over this... Heck I still might be once I see it in person.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Take an iPad Mini. Remove the (big) bezel. Fold it in half. Add a second camera and outside screen. You’ve got the rumored new folding device! The open screen is the same size as the mini. Coincidence? I think not. The new device could be an iPad Fold. It’s practically a laptop in your shirt pocket, and it justifies the price.

That will totally miss the mark for a lot of iPad Mini users and use cases, to say nothing of the cost.

 

[CptnJustc]

Having had all sizes at one point, I found the 11" iPad to be my least used due to form factor. The big Pros are great for content creation, the Minis are great for content consumption, especially (of course) reading. Aside from books, I'm constantly putting stuff on my Safari reading list and coming back to it on the Mini. Sure, I don't doubt that a lot of people find some other device more to their liking... but the idea that reading the massive amount of content we all consume in a paperback form factor is "niche" is wild to me.

Can't wait for the new version. My 6 performs reasonably well, but I'll be happy to see what should be a big increase in RAM among all the other things.

 

[BeefCake 15]

I hope they make a model resembling an ipod touch. I tried looking for an MP3/mini device for my kids and it's all low quality stuff, all good companies exited that market.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

Come on, release it soon already 😭

 

[BorisDG]

Doubt it gets 120hz

100% 60Hz and no Tandem OLED. That will remain on the Pro.

 

[darngooddesign]

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.

Lightly used M2 or M4 Pro. Years ago I picked up a used 1TB M1 Cellular Pro for the price of a new 256GB Pro.

I even got an Amazon refurbished 13” Pro for 2/3 new price with 4 years 3rd part insurance for the cost of one year AppleCare and it includes accidental damage. We already used it to replace the usb port.

 

[usmaak]

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).

I went through a few Colorsofts and all the ones I got had bad screens. I gave up. This might be a good substitute and have a heck of a lot better resolution than an Amazon Fire tablet.

 

[SilmarilFinder]

Lightly used M2 or M4 Pro. Years ago I picked up a used 1TB M1 Cellular Pro for the price of a new 256GB Pro.

I even got an Amazon refurbished 13” Pro for 2/3 new price with 4 years 3rd part insurance for the cost of one year AppleCare and it includes accidental damage. We already used it to replace the usb port.

To be honest I bought this from amazon as a returned unit on the day M2 was announced and I paid something like £500. It was a real steal. I have been waiting for such a good deal really but havent come across in the UK last year. I will keep an eye though, a mint condition M4 is really appealing.