The OLED iPad mini may not include the one enhancement that fans were hoping for the most.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
If you've been delaying your purchase of an iPad mini in hopes that Apple’s first OLED version would finally feature a smoother display, you might want to adjust your expectations.
A more attractive screen, but not necessarily a quicker one
A recent rumor from Korean leaker yeux1122 suggests that the forthcoming OLED iPad mini will still have a 60Hz display, even with the shift from LCD to OLED. This is somewhat unexpected, especially as many fans anticipated that Apple would combine the long-awaited OLED upgrade with a higher refresh rate. For daily tasks like reading, streaming Netflix, or browsing the internet, a 60Hz rate is fully adequate. However, once you've experienced a 120Hz display—whether on a leading Android smartphone or an iPad Pro—it becomes challenging to overlook the difference. Scrolling feels significantly smoother, animations are more seamless, and even basic actions like switching between apps feel more responsive.
Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends
According to the leak, Apple is said to be utilizing an LTPS OLED panel rather than the more advanced LTPO OLED technology present in the iPad Pro series. This distinction is significant, as LTPO displays can intelligently adjust their refresh rate up to 120Hz, allowing for smoother visuals while conserving battery life. In contrast, LTPS panels generally maintain a fixed refresh rate, which, in this case, is expected to be 60Hz.
Apple may believe that aesthetics outweigh performance
This doesn't mean the new iPad mini won't be an enhancement. Transitioning from LCD to OLED should still provide deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better contrast, and enhanced power efficiency. Movies will look more vivid, and dark mode should finally display as truly black instead of a dark gray. Nonetheless, a 60Hz OLED panel might leave some buyers puzzled. Apple has gradually increased the availability of high-refresh-rate displays across its product range, so many expected the next iPad mini to follow the trend. However, Apple has demonstrated that it is still willing to release premium-looking devices with 60Hz screens to keep costs manageable, which lends credibility to this rumor.
Apple
The positive news is that this leak is not definitive. Therefore, even if mass production has commenced, it does not necessarily confirm the display technology Apple has ultimately selected. Recent reports from Korea indicate the OLED iPad mini is on track for a late 2026 launch, though Apple has not officially verified anything yet. If the rumors are accurate, the primary enhancement may simply be the transition to OLED rather than the smoother 120Hz experience many enthusiasts were hoping for.
Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech field.
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The OLED iPad mini may not include the one enhancement that fans were hoping for the most.
The OLED upgrade may be on the horizon, but Apple could forgo the 120Hz display that many iPad mini enthusiasts were anticipating.