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The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

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On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8.


The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, followed by the iPhone in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024. It now apparently plans to bring the technology to more devices, such as the iPad Air, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, and could start with the iPad mini next year.

The current iPad mini has a Liquid Retina LCD display, just like the iPad Air. OLED offers higher contrast with true blacks, wider viewing angles, faster response times, better efficiency, and generally better perceived picture quality than LCD.

The current iPad mini came out in 2024, with the main upgrade over the previous version being the A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence support. The previous generation introduced a complete redesign and the A15 Bionic chip.

In August, Apple mistakenly shared code that revealed key information about the next-generation iPad mini with the codename J510/J511: The device features the A19 Pro chip, which is used in the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The current iPad mini uses a version of the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro with a five-core GPU. The A19 Pro used in the iPhone Air also has a five-core GPU, as opposed to the full six-core version in the iPhone 17 Pro models, so it seems likely that this binned version of the chip will be the one used in the next iPad mini.

Bloomberg claims that Apple is working on a version of the iPad mini that has a more water resistant design, making it the first iPad with a water resistance rating.

While the iPhone has IP68 water resistance that allows it to withstand submersion in water up to six meters deep for 30 minutes, it is not yet known what IP rating the iPad mini might feature. The iPad mini's updated casing is expected to offer water resistance similar to the iPhone, making it safe for casual use in wet environments like a bath or a pool area.

Apple has reportedly developed a new speaker system for the iPad mini that uses vibration-based technology, allowing for the speaker holes in the device to be removed. Removing the speaker holes would cut down on areas where water could get into the crevices of the iPad mini.

For the iPhone, Apple uses adhesive and gaskets to protect the speaker holes and other ingress points from water intrusion, so the iPad mini's design would be radically different. The current iPad mini does not have an official water resistance rating and it is not safe to get it wet.

With an OLED display, water resistance, a new speaker system, and a faster chip, the device is expected to be more expensive, and Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device. The iPad mini is currently priced starting at $499. Apple will purportedly launch the iPad mini 8 with OLED display in the third quarter of next year at the earliest.

We also discuss further thoughts on the M5 Vision Pro, weighing up its utility for travel and day-to-day use-case, and take a look at the growing differentiation and optionality within Apple's product lineups. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson,... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/28/the-macrumors-show-ipad-mini-8/
Why can't there be a subscription service for books? You were talking about Royalties, but what is the difference between books and music and why do we have libraries. Do libraries pay the authors a sum each month to carry their books? How do they make money?

I've always felt that Apple should have turned the books into an Apple Music type subscription service. Pay a fee each month or annually and you have access to all the books in the book store, or turn it into the biggest digital library on the internet. I bet book readers would love something like that and there would be an interest. It might even get me to read more since I do have an Ipad but I don't really use it for reading.
 
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There are such services. They don’t seem as popular as Spotify or Apple Music, but they exist.

There are practical differences in these industries, though. One is that a relatively small group of companies owns complete or part access to a vast amount of music, particularly music that is relatively recent and popular. Agreements and terms can be negotiated without exceptions overwhelming everything. Ownership of or control of access to books is much more widely varied and distributed.
 
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Having owned each version of iPad mini to date, this rumored version 8 sounds good but not compelling.

iPad mini 7 seems to be the sweet spot, mainly due to its features vs price point. Although it could be argued it’s overpriced by $100 as compared to the price of the base iPad.

Then there’s the rumored $100 increase for mini 8 which simply isn’t worth it unless the new features appeal to those who are not adverse to such a premium price.
 
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Elwe said:
There are such services. They don’t seem as popular as Spotify or Apple Music, but they exist.

There are practical differences in these industries, though. One is that a relatively small group of companies owns complete or part access to a vast amount of music, particularly music that is relatively recent and popular. Agreements and terms can be negotiated without exceptions overwhelming everything. Ownership of or control of access to books is much more widely varied and distributed.
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I know you have apps that partner with libraries like Libby or Hoopla. Those really are just what is avaliable in that location though since you have to sign up through the library itself to use such apps.
 
Currently I have an iPad Mini that I absolutely love, an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a 14" M4 MacBook Pro, and I pretty much use all of the devices regularly every day. However, with the fabled iPhone Fold on the horizon I'm not sure I'd upgrade to a new iPad Mini at this time, because if the rumors become fact, I can see myself trading-in my iPhone and my iPad mini for the Fold. Two devices for all my needs would be cool.
 
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Vanilla2108 said:
Currently I have an iPad Mini that I absolutely love, an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a 14" M4 MacBook Pro, and I pretty much use all of the devices regularly every day. However, with the fabled iPhone Fold on the horizon I'm not sure I'd upgrade to a new iPad Mini at this time, because if the rumors become fact, I can see myself trading-in my iPhone and my iPad mini for the Fold. Two devices for all my needs would be cool.
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That is not a fabled if old!🤣🤣🤣 Samsung did the fold. Apple will do the best fold.The iFold will be the ultimate one for two: phone and mini tablet in the fold market. Apple can be late but they produce better and best product version.
 
AND411 said:
FaceID and unrestricted phone functionality would be big plans for the iPad mini.
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An 8 inch iPhablet for $600ish would be really fun but would definitely mess up the product lineups designed to funnel people to more expensive devices. I'd certainly consider laying down both my phone and my 10.5 inch tablet for one. Especially since we can answer calls with earbuds. But I'd expect to be able to use an Apple Watch with it, too, which is not something they let iPads do, currently. I also wonder if the camera would be good enough to be my primary carry.

I'm really used to relying on the TouchID button for navigation (on my iPad) so I'm not so excited about FaceID, but I know most people feel otherwise. TouchID also keeps me from falling victim to random one-click offers in games that pop up when I'm expecting a different window.
 
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sjsharksfan12 said:
Why can't there be a subscription service for books? You were talking about Royalties, but what is the difference between books and music and why do we have libraries. Do libraries pay the authors a sum each month to carry their books? How do they make money?

I've always felt that Apple should have turned the books into an Apple Music type subscription service. Pay a fee each month or annually and you have access to all the books in the book store, or turn it into the biggest digital library on the internet. I bet book readers would love something like that and there would be an interest. It might even get me to read more since I do have an Ipad but I don't really use it for reading.
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A subscription service like that would commodify books and do great harm to publishing. see Kindle Unlimited for example. It devalues books. It is a very vulnerable business model.
 
I hope Hartley chose to bring the VisionPro along rather than his laptop (and perhaps even leaving the iPad at home) for a trial by fire weekend. It’s a weekend trip, he could travel tech-free and be fine… and perhaps find joy! Or, having given it the old college try, know that it’s not up to his needs/wants. And talk about it here…
 
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I didn't care for the aspect ratio change with the iPad mini 6/7 and hopefully they can somewhat fix that. While the screen is over all bigger than before it seems smaller in some cases because it is in fact narrower than the 5. 2266‑by‑1488 resolution at 326 ppi vs 2048‑by‑1536 resolution at 326 ppi. They did the same with the iPhone 6/7/8/SE2/SE3 and the iPhone mini 12/13. Bigger overall but narrower.

Also Hartley is going to get black-balled from being able to ever purchase a Vision product again! ;)
 
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I wish there was a small iPad mini that was more budget oriented. Love the size but don’t need all the high end features and price.
 
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At this point, I must have been explained the difference between LCD and OLED about 146 times accross several tech podcasts. It's time to start assuming some knowledge, especially among your audience. The first OLED TV was released 19 years ago. We caught up ...
 
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MockT said:
At this point, I must have been explained the difference between LCD and OLED about 146 times
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And as always… the most important facts about OLED are always omitted: flickering, square wave output, un sharp text, off axis color shifting, propensity to cause headaches, dizziness, vertigo and nausea. Oh yeah, and heart arrhythmia.

I guess they just never have enough space on the page to include this info.
 
SammyG7 said:
Phone functionality, physical sim, Apple Watch compatible please
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So you’re asking for a cheaper but bigger iPhone pro max?

iPad mini makes sense as the most portable iPad liable to be used outside of the home.

And giving it pro attributes and pricing accordingly suggests oled as the way to go.
 
Vanilla2108 said:
Currently I have an iPad Mini that I absolutely love, an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a 14" M4 MacBook Pro, and I pretty much use all of the devices regularly every day. However, with the fabled iPhone Fold on the horizon I'm not sure I'd upgrade to a new iPad Mini at this time, because if the rumors become fact, I can see myself trading-in my iPhone and my iPad mini for the Fold. Two devices for all my needs would be cool.
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After three very enjoyable months with my Z Fold7, I've experienced a side effect I did not anticipate.

Prior to purchasing the Z Fold7 my primary phone was a 16 Pro Max which I enjoyed with its companion device, my iPad mini 7.

Upon deciding to buy the Samsung, I fully expected it to replace both the iPhone and the iPad mini. But now I'm finding that my usage pattern of the mini at home continues. Always one of my favorite Apple products, its usefulness and popularity remains strong.
 
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sublunar said:
So you’re asking for a cheaper but bigger iPhone pro max?

iPad mini makes sense as the most portable iPad liable to be used outside of the home.

And giving it pro attributes and pricing accordingly suggests oled as the way to go.
Click to expand...
It would just be swell to get along with a cellular Apple Watch + iPad mini combo
 
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