Apple plans major updates for the smallest iPad with a debut expected this year
Apple is preparing to release an updated version of its smallest tablet, the iPad mini, before the end of this year. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who is known for his insight into the company’s internal plans, the new generation of the compact tablet is expected to arrive as early as October.
Transition to OLED display technology
The most significant change coming to the iPad mini is an upgrade to its display. While the current model utilizes a Liquid Retina IPS LCD panel, the upcoming iteration will transition to an OLED display. Despite this shift in technology, the new model will not feature the high-end ProMotion capabilities found in the more expensive iPad Pro lineup. The new 8.4-inch OLED panel is expected to be limited to a 60 Hz refresh rate. This hardware distinction ensures that the 120 Hz ProMotion technology remains a feature exclusive to Apple’s premium tablet offerings.
Internal performance and hardware upgrades
Beyond the screen, Apple intends to overhaul the internal components of the device. The design of the tablet is expected to remain unchanged, but the “internals” will see a notable performance boost. The current iPad mini is equipped with the A17 Pro chipset and 8 GB of RAM. The upcoming version is expected to feature the newer A20 Pro chipset—the same processor slated for the iPhone 18 family. While there is a clear industry trend toward increasing memory—evidenced by the 2026 iPad Air models now utilizing 12 GB of RAM to support artificial intelligence features—it remains to be seen exactly how the memory configuration will be finalized for the new mini.
Market impact and pricing expectations
Consumers should anticipate a higher price point for the upcoming iPad mini. This expected increase is attributed to the integration of the new OLED panel and the broader trend of rising product costs at Apple, which are currently being influenced by the state of the memory market.
Broader context of the iPad lineup
The update to the iPad mini is part of a larger roadmap for Apple’s tablet division. The company is actively developing other models, though their release schedules differ: * iPad Air: A new generation is in development, but it is not expected until next year, following the recent introduction of the 2026 model. Future versions are expected to adopt OLED panels, though potentially without 120 Hz ProMotion. * Base iPad: An update is expected for the entry-level model, which will likely retain an LCD screen. This model is projected to receive a significant performance improvement, potentially moving from the A16 chip and 6 GB of RAM found in the current 2025 version to an A18 or A19 chip paired with 8 GB of RAM. * Future Innovations: Apple is also working on new iterations of the iPad Pro and intends to update the Apple Pencil. Reports suggest that by 2027, the company may introduce a model featuring a user-replaceable battery.