Perhaps one of the most significant hardware shift in the company’s slim tablet lineup in years will come when iPad Mini 8 arrives. New leaks and some recent reports indicate that the new model will be equipped with an OLED display, the A20 Pro chipset, a landscape-configured front-facing camera and a revamped speaker setup. Apple has yet to announce its new iPad mini, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it is expected to be here by the end of October.

OLED Display Could Be the Biggest Upgrade

The biggest change that is anticipated is the switch from LCD to OLED. The LCD screen was used in the current iPad mini, but the next version is said to be made using OLED technology. The separate control of individual pixels allows an OLED display to provide darker blacks, more contrasts, and richer colours.

But its refresh rate is still not known. There has been a report that said the new tablet is going to continue with 60Hz, however, there has been other reports indicating it will be a more refresh rate. What size the screen will be is also uncertain, but a slightly larger screen has been rumoured.

Also Read: iQOO Pad Ultra Gets 9020mAh Battery, iQOO 16 Camera Samples

A20 Pro Chip Could Bring a Major Performance Boost

There are also some significant changes in the processor. According to the leaked Apple code, the upcoming version of the iPad mini will be powered by the A20 Pro chip. This would be a huge upgrade from the A17 Pro employed in the current iPad mini.

The A20 Pro is also linked to Apple’s most recent lineup of flagship iPhone devices. The addition would add a good amount of processing power to the compact tablet, and might also help underpin Apple’s more recent AI features, including additional sophisticated Siri abilities. These performance highlights are based on reports, until Apple confirms the specs for the tablet.

Front Camera Could Move to Landscape Position

The front facing camera is said to be shifting from the current location to the longer side of the screen. This would get the camera in landscape mode, as Apple has done with newer iPad models.

The camera appears to be located along the landscape borders, as evidenced by leaked product names listed in Apple’s code. The update might make the camera more appropriate for video calls if the tablet is placed horizontally with a keyboard or stand. Apple hasn’t yet officially announced the camera setup.

New Speaker System Could Improve Water Resistance

Additionally, Apple is said to be toying with an alternate speaker layout for its upcoming tablet. The company instead of traditional speaker holes, can use a vibration-based speaker system. Apple has previously been said to be working on a design to make the device water resistant.

Also Read: Infinix GT NX Controller and Station Unveiled for Gaming

The reports indicate Apple is experimenting with a case that will allow for greater water resistance, similar to what is found on its iPhone models. The leaked Apple code also shows the presence of a small groove at the top of the display glass for the speaker, with the power and volume buttons still on the top edge.

Possible Price Increase After OLED Upgrade

New display, and other hardware changes, may also impact the price. In July, the price for the current iPad mini was increased from $499 to $599, per the report. The price might be even higher if Apple adds an OLED panel and some other hardware tweaks, but the company has not revealed the pricing of the next model.

In previous reports, it has also been said that it could be more costly to upgrade the OLED than the current iPad mini generation. The final price tag will be determined by Apple’s configuration and regional price tag at the official announcement of the device.

Expected iPad Mini 8 Details at a Glance

iPad Mini 8 Launch Timeline

Apple hasn’t yet revealed an official release date for the upcoming iPad mini. But Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has been quoted as saying the new model will be available by the end of October. The new leak of Apple’s code further strengthens the speculation that the iPhone 5 series will be released soon, though not yet.

This new iPad mini features the A17 Pro chip and was released in October 2024. The following model is thus a significant hardware update, especially for the OLED display and the A20 Pro chipset, which have been mentioned.

FAQ: