Apple’s smallest tablet may be getting a significant upgrade soon, with iPad mini 8 expected to adopt OLED display technology by late 2026, according to Chinese leaker Instant Digital. The third quarter of next year at the earliest, they said.
OLED iPad mini could launch in late 2026 with premium features
OLED iPad mini’s timing according to Instant Digital roughly aligns with previous reports from Bloomberg and Korean media outlets, all pointing toward a similar launch window for the refreshed device — though some only said “as early as next year.” But now we can expect launch in the second half of the year. If these rumors prove accurate, iPad mini would become the second iPad model to feature OLED technology, following the iPad Pro lineup. And here’s when every iPad should get the screen. The upgrade is important because OLED screens provide a more lush visual experience, as described below.
Display and design improvements
So here’s why OLED technology makes for a meaningful upgrade over traditional LCD displays. Each pixel can be controlled individually, delivering more accurate colors, deeper blacks and superior contrast ratios. The technology also offers faster response times, better viewing angles and allows for more flexible device designs.
Beyond the display upgrade, Apple reportedly works to enhance the iPad mini’s durability with improved water resistance. To achieve this, the company developed a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker holes — a common entry point for moisture.
Performance and pricing
Under the hood, the iPad mini will probably feature the A19 Pro chip. That’s the same processor found in the iPhone 17 Pro. The mid-tier chip is built using an advanced third-generation 3-nanometer manufacturing process, offering modest improvements in both speed and power efficiency over previous models.
These premium features will likely come at a cost. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman suggested Apple could increase the iPad mini’s price by up to $100. That would push the starting price from the current $499 to potentially $599 or more.
Release timeline
The most recent claims indicate the earliest possible launch would be in the third quarter of 2026. But it could slip to the fourth quarter. After the iPad mini, the iPad Air is expected to receive OLED technology, likely arriving in 2027 or later.
Instant Digital has a mixed track record for leak accuracy. The leaker has successfully predicted some Apple releases in the past, including iPhone 14 color options and certain Apple Watch accessories. The convergence of multiple sources around similar timeframes lends credibility to these rumors.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
