Upcoming OLED iPad Mini Allegedly Uses 60Hz 8.4-Inch Display Panel

[MacRumors]

Apple is allegedly using a 60Hz 8.4-inch display panel in the upcoming OLED iPad mini, which is expected to be released later this year.

The information comes courtesy of a hit-and-miss tipster running the account "yeux1122" on the Korean Naver blog. The leaker claims to have been told by a source in Apple's supply chain that the unreleased iPad mini is equipped with a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) backplane hybrid OLED panel clocked at 60Hz.

Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, which makes the display capable of dynamically adjusting its refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz (aka ProMotion). In contrast, LTPS OLED panels are usually paired with fixed refresh rates – such as 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz – and are typically dimmer than LTPO panels.

If the leak is true, it's likely to disappoint iPad mini fans. Previous reports have not been clear on whether the iPad mini 8 will feature a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7. Given that the base iPhone 17 uses a 120Hz ProMotion panel, some would have believed it was reasonable to expect the same on the first OLED iPad mini. That said, the iPhone 17e goes to show that Apple is still in the 60Hz OLED business, so it might not consider the iPad mini to be a big enough market to justify the more advanced panel technology.

There's still hope of course that the rumor is off the mark. The leaker also said that the smaller form factor iPad is currently in mass production at Samsung Display's A2 Generation 5.5 OLED production line, which is located at its Asan campus in South Korea. Samsung has used the A2 line to manufacture LTPO panels as well as comparatively inferior LTPS panels, so if that piece of information is true, it doesn't mean the new iPad mini will definitely use the latter panel.

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

Late last month, a report from Korean outlet ETNews claimed that mass production of the iPad mini 8 was underway at a Samsung factory. There are no rumors suggesting exactly when the next ‌iPad mini‌ will be released, but a late 2026 launch is widely expected. Aside from refresh rates, OLED offers several advantages over the LCD technology used in the iPad mini 7, such as higher contrast, deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency.

Article Link: Upcoming OLED iPad Mini Allegedly Uses 60Hz 8.4-Inch Display Panel

 

[HouseLannister]

The only refresh rate question I have is: does it jelly scroll?

 

[applyr]

iPhone 17e uses OLED panel so that doesn't signify that Apple is still in the 60Hz LCD business lol.

 

[nortonandreev]

Oof... getting tired of 60Hz.

 

[Nik]

This is just ridiculous.

 

[abatabia]

Then why bother updating it at all? Don’t answer that.

 

[Le_Chiffre]

if they make the iPad mini bezels thinner, don’t really see a problem with a 60hz oled display. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[terrapinjess]

Doesn’t bother me at all. I have a 17 and it’s my first 120hz display. I absolutely see the difference but in day to day it does not matter to me whatsoever. It’s just frustrating how Apple keeps adding and taking away features: iPad uses this pencil, this one uses this pencil, this one doesn’t have stereo speakers, this one doesn’t have wireless charging. It’s that “splintering” that Apple once accused Android of; well now look who has a splintered product line.
Anyway, I caved and bought an A17 iPad mini during that recent prime sale and I’m absolutely in love with it. I’ve had larger iPads this whole time and I’m using the mini waaaayyy more than I’ve ever used a larger iPad. If this new one doesn’t have any real big features, it’ll make this purchase all the more sweeter.
If this new one had an M series chip, that would make me upgrade it, otherwise I’m planing to hold onto this one for a long time. It’s the perfect device!

 

[iMac The Knife]

Wow, we're still talking 60Hz in 2026. Buah ha ha ha haaaa! 🤣

 

[sos47]

i dont care about a better refresh rate for the mini.
i hope the readability in bright sunshine will not get worse

 

[555gallardo]

Seems like the engineering team behind the iPad mini… didn’t get the promotion.

 

[kaspurr]

It’s just getting silly at this point, there honestly isn’t even an excuse for it anymore, 60hz in 2026 going into 2027 in a fairly premium device is absurd. It’s not even that the panel they will be using is 60hz, it’s how they will be driving it to be so. In other words making it out dated on purpose.

 

[CarAnalogy]

At some point soon, if not already, they have to be one of the last companies that even has the equipment to make what I will be henceforth calling low refresh rate smartphone displays.

 

[nfl46]

Like wtf, Apple! Let’s 60hz goooooo!

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Since I use tablets for consumption, as do probably 90% of tablet users, I have moved to the Samsung Tab tablets because of Apple's stubborness, like 60hz.

Dynamic Amoled screens, lots of size options with useful screen aspect ratios for video viewing, free pen, great battery life and thin. Pretty easy to de-Samsung it as well.

 

[Leobreaker]

Bummer. I am starting to match my devices at 120hz. I will pass on this.

 

[jk111]

It’s absurd because of the price of the device alone.

 

[uiop.]

Gross. No reason then to upgrade from my 2021 iPad mini 6.

 

[akbarali.ch]

Seems like the engineering team behind the iPad mini… didn’t get the promotion.

You said pro-motion, right ? 😀

 

[justmadeupname]

I have had the iPad Mini 7 Cellular for a year. I got a damaged box version for under £500 from a reputable UK reseller. Added AppleCare Perfect size. Use it a lot. Love it and I think the low weight is a big factor. 60 Hz does not bother me though agree 120 would be great. However dislike Touch ID. Hopefully we get FaceId though I doubt it as not even the Air iPads have that yet. I have no intention of upgrading to the mini 8 unless it has thinner bezels, faceid, 120 Hz and Nano texture version but I’d imagine you’d need to upgrade to much higher storage tier then.

 

[svish]

While it is good to have OLED display, it will be extremely disappointing if it is going to be only 60Hz

 

[satchmo]

I’m curious whether this rumoured iPad mini are remnants of the Cook’s penny pinching leadership or under new CEO John Ternus.

 

[syklee26]

Of course Timmy will not give you everything. He was born to milk or Cook) Apple customers!

 

[Nomoi]

Completely lost interest if it's 60Hz

 

[bookcase]

I don't have a problem with the refresh rate on my Mini 7, but I do think it's silly not to increase it -- especially with the steep price hike. I'm seeing fewer and fewer reasons to upgrade any of my Apple products at these prices.