Apple Plans Major iPad Mini Update with OLED Screen After Five Years

Apple is set to introduce the most significant update to the iPad Mini since its 2021 redesign by equipping it with an OLED display for the first time. This move could redefine the small tablet category as the company also develops new iPad and iPad Air models planned for release in 2027.

According to a Bloomberg report, the new device, codenamed J510, will replace the current LCD screen with an OLED panel. It is anticipated to be unveiled in the upcoming fall and launched in markets before the end of October.

This upgrade marks the most substantial change since the 2021 redesign, as the 2024 model update only introduced a faster processor without major alterations to design or display.

OLED screens offer higher contrast levels, more accurate colors, and deeper blacks compared to LCDs. Apple has employed OLED technology in iPhones since 2017 and extended it to iPad Pro models in 2024.

The introduction of an OLED display may increase the iPad Mini’s price, especially following recent price hikes across several Apple products due to rising electronic component costs and a global shortage of memory chips.

The current iPad Mini starts at 69,900 Indian rupees, approximately $733 USD for the previous version, suggesting that the new model’s price will likely be higher.

The report also notes that Apple is working on an OLED-equipped iPad Air model for the future but does not plan to incorporate OLED technology into the budget iPad line at this time, which will continue using cost-effective LCD screens.

Additionally, Apple intends to release an updated basic iPad model in the first quarter of 2027, codenamed J581, retaining its current design while focusing on a newer processor.

A new generation of iPad Air is expected in spring 2027, maintaining the existing 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes. Updates are also anticipated for iPad Pro models and the Apple Pencil.

These developments are part of a busy product roadmap for Apple, which is reported to unveil its first foldable iPhone in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, new Apple Watch models, and refreshed Mac computers.

The iPad segment continues to show notable growth, exceeding market expectations over the last two financial quarters, with projected revenues reaching around $30 billion in the current fiscal year.

Although the expected foldable phone will have a 7.8-inch screen size close to the iPad Mini’s current 8.3 inches, the significant price difference between the two devices is likely to allow the iPad Mini to maintain its position as Apple’s smallest standalone tablet.