Report: iPad Mini 8 could feature OLED display and be water proof

Apple released the iPad Mini 7 in October last year, featuring modest upgrades such as the A17 Pro processor, support for the Apple Pencil 2, and Apple Intelligence integration. While the seventh-generation iPad Mini boasts a larger 8.3-inch display, the screen still leaves room for improvement. That said, a potential upgrade might arrive in the third quarter of next year.

According to Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch the iPad Mini 8 in Q3 2026 with an OLED display. If this proves true, the iPad Mini would become the second iPad to feature an OLED screen, following the iPad Pro.

A leaked roadmap from market research firm Omdia previously suggested that Apple plans to introduce OLED panels to more products, including the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models in 2027. The roadmap also alleged that all Apple products are expected to switch to OLED panels by 2030.

Moreover, reports have indicated that Apple is also working on redesigned MacBook Pro models featuring OLED displays, set to launch in 2026.

Back to the iPad Mini 8, the compact tablet is expected to feature the A19 Pro chip, previously seen in the iPhone Air. With that in mind, another potential upgrade could be increasing the RAM from 8GB to 12GB.

Interestingly, Bloomberg reported in October that Apple has been testing a water-resistant, redesigned casing for the OLED iPad Mini. The company is reportedly experimenting with a new speaker system that uses vibration-based technology, eliminating the need for traditional speaker holes that could allow water to enter the device.

“That’s a different approach than the iPhone’s water-resistant design, which retains holes but adds gaskets and adhesives to prevent damage,” the report added.

Moreover, the same Bloomberg report suggested that adding an OLED display to the iPad Mini could increase its cost, potentially making the device at least $100 more expensive.

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Posted Thursday 27 November 2025 at 5:53 am AEST (my time).

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