Highlights
- The iPad mini 8 is tipped to debut in Q3 2026 with the iPad Air expected to follow in 2027.
- It may feature Apple’s A19 Pro chip (3nm N3P process) and a new vibration-based speaker system.
- Apple is expected to raise the iPad mini’s starting price by up to $100 from the current $499.
Caption – iPad Mini 8 to arrive sometime in Q3 next year. (Image credit – Apple)
It has always been reported that Apple’s next-generation iPad mini will come with a major display upgrade. Earlier reports from Bloomberg and Korean outlets have pointed out that Apple is gearing up to bring OLED technology to the compact iPad lineup. The launch timeline predicted so far is 2026. But the latest leak now specifies exactly when in 2026 we can expect the launch.
OLED iPad Mini 8 – Launch Timeline
It seems iPad mini 8 will not arrive before the third quarter of 2026. This recent update comes from a well-known Weibo tipster named Instant Digital.
Caption – Tipster Instant Digital’s latest post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)
Instant Digital reiterates that the iPad mini will become the second iPad to transition to OLED panels after the iPad Pro. Following that, the iPad Air is expected to adopt OLED tech as well, though not before 2027. At present, OLED displays remain exclusive to Apple’s premium iPad Pro models.
Instant Digital has a mixed leak accuracy record but has shared some correct information in the past. The tipster correctly revealed details about the Yellow iPhone 14/14 Plus and the Titanium Milanese Loop designed for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the past.
iPad Mini 8 – What More to Expect?
On the performance front, the iPad mini 8 may feature Apple’s A19 Pro chip. It is the same mid-tier processor used in the iPhone Air. Built on the enhanced third-generation 3nm N3P process, the A19 Pro is designed to offer moderate gains in speed and energy efficiency.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also reported that Apple is working on boosting the device’s durability. As part of this effort, the company is said to be testing a new vibration-based speaker system that removes the need for traditional speaker holes, potentially enabling a more water-resistant chassis.
With the inclusion of OLED technology and a more durable build, the next iPad mini is expected to see a price increase. Gurman suggests Apple could raise the starting price by up to $100. Currently, the iPad mini begins at $499.
OLED panels are known for their pixel-level illumination control, allowing more accurate colours, deeper blacks, improved contrast, faster response times, wider viewing angles, and greater flexibility in overall design. The shift to OLED is expected to bring a noticeable visual improvement to the iPad mini series.
FAQs
Q1. When will the iPad mini 8 launch?
Answer. The iPad mini 8 is tipped to launch in Q3 2026, according to leaks from tipster Instant Digital.
Q2. What upgrades can we expect in the iPad mini 8?
Answer. It is expected to feature an OLED display, the A19 Pro chip built on the 3nm N3P process, and a new vibration-based speaker system that could improve durability and water resistance.
Q3. Will the iPad mini 8 be more expensive than current models?
Answer. Yes. With OLED technology and durability improvements, Apple may raise the starting price by up to $100 from the current $499.