Apple continues to prepare for the future of its iPad lineup, and everything points to the iPad mini being the next in line for a major update. According to a recent leak from China, the company is already considering a small OLED display , supposedly manufactured by Samsung, for its next iPad mini model.
While it’s still unclear whether this new display will offer a refresh rate higher than the current 60Hz, the switch to OLED technology would represent a significant improvement in terms of image quality, contrast, and energy efficiency.
What will the next iPad mini be like?
The first reports of a possible iPad mini with an OLED display surfaced in 2024, when several reports indicated that Apple had requested OLED panels from its suppliers specifically designed for future iPad models. In May of that year, it was reported that Samsung Display was developing 8-inch OLED panel samples for a potential iPad mini, with plans to begin mass production at its Cheonan plant in the second half of 2025.
However, Apple’s roadmap for OLED iPads remains a mystery. While some leaks point to a 2026 launch alongside the iPad Air, others indicate that the 8.5-inch model with this display technology wouldn’t arrive until 2027. What seems clear is that Apple intends to expand OLED beyond its Pro models.
The advantages of OLED panels over current LCD displays are obvious. They allow for precise control of each pixel, resulting in deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. They also offer faster response times and better viewing angles. All of Apple’s high-end iPhones already use OLED displays, and their addition to more affordable iPads would mark a breakthrough in the user experience.
Release date of the next iPad mini
However, the OLED iPad mini likely won’t have the same premium features as the iPad Pro models. While the latter uses dual-layer OLED panels with LTPO technology for improved efficiency and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz (ProMotion), rumors suggest the iPad mini and iPad Air could use single-layer LTPS OLED panels. This would mean the display could be less bright and lack the smoothness of the Pro models, while still maintaining a 60Hz refresh rate.
The iPad mini has historically been a popular device among those looking for a compact iPad with enough power for most tasks. Adding an OLED display would make it an even more attractive option, especially for those who enjoy watching multimedia content or working with digital illustration. However, the biggest question mark remains the price. The adoption of OLED technology has increased manufacturing costs for the iPhone and iPad Pro, which could mean an increase in the price of the iPad mini when it finally makes the transition.
There’s no official confirmation from Apple yet, but if the information is correct, we could see the first iPad mini with an OLED display in 2026.
