Apple’s long-rumoured OLED iPad mini could finally be close to launch, with a new report suggesting the compact tablet is in the final stages of development.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next-generation iPad mini, reportedly codenamed J510 is nearing the end of development. It is expected to arrive shortly after the iPhone 18 Pro launches.
The biggest upgrade is the display. Multiple reports have pointed to Apple replacing the current LCD panel with an 8.4-inch hybrid OLED display.
This will mark the first time the iPad mini has adopted the technology. The screen is also rumoured to use an LTPS backplane and retain a 60Hz refresh rate. Therefore, ProMotion will remain exclusive to Apple’s higher-end iPads. A shame, but maybe not that much of a surprise.
That could make the iPad mini noticeably better for watching films, reading and gaming, thanks to OLED’s deeper blacks, stronger contrast and improved colour reproduction.
But what about pricing?
Apple increased the starting price of the current iPad mini to $599. OLED panels remain considerably more expensive to manufacture than traditional LCDs. While Apple hasn’t confirmed pricing, another increase wouldn’t come as a surprise. This is likely if the company wants to offset the higher production costs.
Beyond the display, earlier leaks have suggested the tablet could arrive with Apple’s A20 chip, replacing the A17 Pro in the current model. Previous rumours had pointed to the A19 instead. However, more recent reports indicate Apple may skip straight to its newer silicon.
Rumours of an OLED iPad mini have been circulating for what seems like an age. Code references first appeared in 2025, followed by reports that Apple was targeting a 2026 launch. More recently, supply chain leaks suggested OLED display production had already begun.
If those reports prove accurate, the OLED iPad mini could be one of Apple’s biggest tablet upgrades in years. The only remaining question is whether buyers will have to pay significantly more for it.
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