Apple is gearing up to launch an OLED iPad mini in October as it broadens its tablet range.
Apple is set to unveil an OLED iPad mini equipped with an A19 Pro chip by October, marking the most significant update to the device in five years. Sources close to the matter indicate that Apple is undertaking its largest redesign of the iPad mini since 2018, with the current version maintaining the same design since 2021, aside from a chip upgrade two years ago. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that this updated tablet is known internally as J510.
The new mini will feature an LTPS OLED display instead of the higher-end LTPO technology utilized in the iPad Pro, resulting in a 60 hertz refresh rate compared to the variable refresh rate of the Pro models. Additionally, it will be powered by an A19 Pro chip, which represents an upgrade from the A17 Pro featured in the existing model. These insights derive from unnamed sources, and Apple has not yet responded to the claims.
However, the mini isn't the only iPad on the horizon. Apple is reportedly testing a refreshed entry-level iPad, codenamed J581, slated for early 2027, which will see an enhanced processor but no significant design changes. New iPad Air versions in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes are anticipated for spring 2027, while the standard iPad will continue using LCD displays for the time being.
The projected October release means the mini's debut will come shortly after what is expected to be one of Apple's busiest Septembers in recent years. The company plans to announce a foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, new Apple Watch models, and updated Macs. iPad revenue is estimated to rise by six percent to nearly $30 billion this fiscal year, according to Bloomberg.
The transition to OLED technology might increase the mini's price during a period when Apple has already raised rates across its product range. Currently, the mini is priced starting at $599, up from $499 following a global memory chip shortage that prompted Apple to adjust hardware prices in June. Additionally, Apple is gearing up for redesigned iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models set for 2027, reflecting both ambitious design goals and the challenges posed by increasing component costs.
The forthcoming foldable iPhone is expected to have a starting price of around $2,000, featuring an approximately eight-inch display when opened, positioning it above the mini in Apple's product lineup despite a comparable screen size when unfolded. This places the mini as the most affordable option for a large portable screen from Apple, assuming the introduction of OLED does not raise its price beyond accessibility. The possibility of delivering an OLED mini by October while navigating the same memory constraints that have disrupted Mac and iPad production throughout the year remains an unanswered question from Bloomberg's sources.
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Apple is gearing up to launch an OLED iPad mini in October as it broadens its tablet range.
Apple is gearing up for the most significant update to the iPad mini in years, featuring an OLED display and A19 Pro chip, with plans for a release in October despite increasing component costs.
