Prototypes of an OLED iPad mini display are currently being evaluated by Apple, according to a leaker with a decent track record.
It seems pretty clear by this point that the next model will have an OLED screen, and it will definitely be worth waiting for if you currently have an older model …
OLED iPad mini
Apple is gradually rolling out OLED screens across all its devices. That process began with the Apple Watch, moved onto the iPhone, and continued with the iPad Pro. Future MacBooks are also in line to get OLED screens.
The iPad Air and iPad mini will be no exception, with previous reports suggesting that the new models will enter production late this year, but not go on sale until 2026. An OLED MacBook Pro is expected to launch the same year.
While Apple uses advanced tandem OLED panels for the iPad Pro models, the iPad Air and iPad mini are expected to get cheaper conventional ones.
Display prototypes being evaluated
In a brief Weibo post, leaker Digital Chat Station says that Apple is currently evaluating a Samsung-made display for the iPad mini. As usual, the machine translation is awkward, but the meaning is clear.
This year’s mainstream brands have 3 small tablets of about 8.8 inches, two LCDs, one OLED, and three flagship chips with different platforms. In addition, iPad is also evaluating small-sized OLEDs.
Asked whether the display supports ProMotion, aka 120Hz refresh rates, they say they don’t yet know.
Worth waiting for
Anyone currently looking to upgrade from an older iPad mini would be well advised to wait. The most recent refresh, in October of last year, was a relatively minor one.
We noted at the time better Apple Pencil support, connectivity upgrades, support for Apple Intelligence, and a doubling of the base storage to 128GB – but said it was mostly unchanged from its predecessor.
The form factor is the same, bar a new (very muted) color, so it’s not smaller or lighter, nor does it have any design enhancements. Battery life is unchanged. The camera is the same, other than a tiny upgrade from Smart HDR 3 to 4. It’s also still on the short edge, though this is perhaps more understandable on a device which is most typically used in portrait orientation. The display is completely unchanged: it’s the exact same 8.3-inch 2266 x 1488 pixel panel, with the same maximum brightness of 500 nits.
The next model will be a much better buy.
Highlighted accessories
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
