Macworld
For those who need a premium small-screen tablet, the iPad mini is a popular choice. But should you buy one now, or should you wait to see what Apple has in store for the next model?
Most buyers should wait – the next model is expected to bring meaningful upgrades. However, Apple isn’t expected to update the iPad mini until late 2026 or maybe even early 2027, and that launch date could slip further due to chip demand and wider supply constraints.
Here’s what the latest rumors say about the release date, key upgrades, and whether it’s worth waiting.
2026 iPad mini: Rumored changes at a glance- A20 Pro chip possible
- OLED display upgrade
- Screen size could increase from 8.3-inch to 8.5- or 8.7-inches
- More water-resistant design
- Vibration-based speaker system
- Price increase
- Improved connectivity
- Late 2026/early 2027
Apple has not officially announced a launch date for the next iPad mini. Earlier reports pointed to a release before the end of 2026, but more recent reporting leaves open the possibility that it could slip into early 2027.
Back in October 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that a new iPad mini with an OLED display was among the devices Apple expected to launch before the end of 2026. Then, in July 2026, he narrowed that down further, reporting that the OLED iPad mini was scheduled for an October 2026 release.
However, in September 2026 Gurman included the iPad mini in a broader list of products expected to ship in late 2026 or early 2027, introducing some uncertainty around the exact timing.
There is still strong evidence that the new model is approaching. References to an upcoming iPad mini have reportedly been found in the macOS 26.7 release candidate, while Samsung Display is said to have begun mass production of OLED panels for the device.
In September, a report from MacRumors said could be coming soon. Based on a leak from “Apple’s own code,” a new iPad mini could arrive next month.
The iPad mini also has a relatively unpredictable release cycle, with Apple sometimes leaving several years between updates. Wider component constraints, including pressure on RAM and other parts highlighted by Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier in 2026, could also affect the schedule, although there is no firm evidence that these have delayed the iPad mini specifically.
2026 iPad mini chip: Performance and specs- A20 Pro or A19 Pro chip
- C1X modem
- N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
Since it hasn’t been updated in over a year, the next iPad mini is expected to receive several silicon upgrades. The current model features an A17 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence support, while most rumors point to the new model adopting the A19 Pro..
In August 2025, MacRumors reported that Apple code appeared to reveal an A19 Pro-powered iPad mini. Further evidence emerged in December 2025, when Macworld reported internal Apple code indicating that the entry-level iPad would move to an A19 chip. Since Apple has traditionally given the iPad mini a more powerful processor than the standard iPad, that strengthens the case for the A19 Pro.
An A19 Pro would represent a substantial upgrade over the current A17 Pro. Users could expect faster on-device AI processing, improved gaming performance, and quicker photo and video editing. The A18 Pro, which powers the MacBook Neo, is often compared to the M1 chip and can rival the M3 in some single-core workloads. An A19 Pro-powered iPad mini would push the device even closer to iPad Air-level performance.
An A19 Pro would deliver a substantial performance boost over the A17 Pro, particularly for on-device AI, gaming, and photo and video editing, while bringing the iPad mini closer to iPad Air-level performance.
There have also been suggestions that Apple could use either the A18 Pro or A20 Pro, depending on timing and chip availability. According to a report from MacRumors based on a leak from “Apple’s own code,” a new iPad mini could feature an A20 Pro chip, which made its debut with the iPhone 18 Pro.
Alongside the processor upgrade, Apple is expected to bring its latest wireless technologies to the iPad mini. The N1 chip, introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup, supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and is expected to spread across the iPad lineup. Cellular models are also expected to adopt Apple’s C1X modem.
Alongside processor upgrades, Apple is expected to bring its latest wireless technologies to the iPad mini. The N1 chip, introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup, supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and is expected to spread across the iPad lineup. Cellular models are also expected to adopt Apple’s C1X modem.
2026 iPad mini: Display- OLED display upgrade
The M4 iPad Pro’s OLED Display could make its way to the iPad mini next.
Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
The biggest display upgrade rumored for the next iPad mini is the adoption of OLED technology. Following Apple’s transition of the iPad Pro to OLED in 2024, multiple reports have suggested that the iPad mini will be the next iPad to make the switch. Ross Young of DSCC was first to claim, in a tweet in October 2024, that the next iPad mini would have a OLED.
The current iPad mini, released in October 2024, still uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, but industry sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, indicate a move to OLED is increasingly likely.
The transition from LCD to OLED would represent one of the most significant upgrades in the iPad mini’s history. Unlike LCD panels, which rely on a backlight, OLED displays illuminate each pixel individually. This allows pixels to switch off completely when displaying black content, resulting in deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and improved HDR performance.
Key benefits of OLED include:
- Superior contrast and true blacks: Individual pixel control allows OLED displays to produce true blacks and extremely high contrast.
- More vibrant colours: OLED can make images appear more vivid and punchy, particularly in high-contrast scenes and HDR content.
- Faster response times: Quicker pixel response can reduce motion blur and ghosting when gaming or watching fast-moving video.
- Better viewing angles: Colours and contrast remain more consistent when the display is viewed from the side.
- Potential efficiency benefits: OLED can use less power when displaying darker content and can enable thinner display assemblies, although bright screens may consume more power, so battery-life gains aren’t guaranteed.
An OLED panel could also enable Apple to reduce bezel sizes, potentially increasing the display area slightly without significantly changing the tablet’s overall dimensions. Some reports suggest the screen could grow from 8.3 inches to around 8.5 inches as a result – more on that below.
While the iPad mini is unlikely to inherit premium display technologies such as ProMotion or the tandem OLED architecture used in the iPad Pro, the move to OLED would still deliver a noticeable improvement in visual quality, with richer blacks, better contrast, improved colour reproduction, and stronger HDR performance.
For users who prioritise display quality, an OLED iPad mini would address one of the most frequently cited limitations of the current model and bring the compact tablet much closer to the viewing experience offered by Apple’s premium devices.
2026 iPad mini: Design- Same size, bigger screen possible
- More water-resistant design rumored
Apple
The iPad mini has retained the same design since its major redesign in 2021, and the 2026 model is expected to keep that overall look. However, Apple could increase the display size slightly while maintaining the device’s current dimensions.
In December 2024, analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) suggested in a supply chain analyst report that the next-generation iPad mini could feature an 8.5-inch display, up from the current model’s 8.3-inch panel. The reports indicated that the chassis size would remain unchanged, meaning Apple could achieve the larger screen through slimmer bezels rather than a larger body.
A larger display may also help the iPad mini maintain its place in Apple’s lineup as foldable devices arrive. Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone – often referred to as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra – is expected to feature an inner display measuring between 7.6 and 7.8 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio, putting it close to the iPad mini’s screen size. While still smaller than the iPad mini, such a device could appeal to some users who currently favour Apple’s smallest tablet.
Another rumor gaining traction is that the new iPad mini will be more water-resistant. That rumor comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who in October 2025 claimed Apple was developing a next-generation iPad mini with a significantly more water-resistant chassis.
The design changes could include:
- Redesigned casing with improved sealing around ports.
- According to Gurman, a new speaker system could use vibration-based audio technology to eliminate traditional speaker holes.
There’s also a strong possibility of new colour options. Apple currently offers the iPad mini in Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray, while the previous generation was available in Pink, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray.
2026 iPad mini: Cameras- Little or no camera upgrade expected
Apple is not expected to upgrade the cameras in the next iPad mini.
Foundry
The current iPad mini has a 12MP Wide rear camera and 12MP Ultra Wide Center Stage front camera, and there are no credible reports suggesting major camera system upgrades for the next iPad mini.
The most likely change concerns camera placement rather than camera hardware. Apple has moved the front-facing camera to the landscape edge on its latest iPad models, and the iPad mini could follow suit to improve the experience during video calls and FaceTime sessions when used with a keyboard or stand.
According to a September report from MacRumors based on a leak from “Apple’s own code,” a new iPad mini will include a landscape front-facing camera.
While the cameras themselves may remain unchanged, image quality could still benefit from improvements to the image signal processor and computational photography capabilities of a newer A-series chip.
2026 iPad mini: PriceThe iPad mini had held the same $499/£499 starting price since its 2021 redesign. That changed in June 2026, when Apple increased the entry-level price to $599/£599.
With Apple having already raised the price this year, we think another increase with the next iPad mini is unlikely, although the move to OLED could put some pressure on costs.
Should I wait to buy a new iPad mini?The current iPad mini’s A17 Pro chip is still plenty fast for everyday use, gaming and creative apps. An OLED display could make the next model significantly more appealing, but its launch timing remains uncertain. With discounts likely on the current model, buy now if you value portability and performance; wait if display quality matters most.