2026 iPad mini could feature a water-resistant design

Besides a rumoured switch to OLED, the next Apple iPad mini is also tipped to have a water-resistant design.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has developed a new vibration-based speaker system for the iPad mini. This allows it to eliminate the speaker holes and reduce potential entry points for water.

Since many ebook readers like the Kobo Clara Colour and Kindle Paperwhite are waterproof, a water-resistant design could make the iPad mini a more attractive alternative.

Apple currently uses adhesive and gaskets to seal off the speaker holes and other ingress points on the iPhone. Bloomberg believes the design for the next iPad mini may be different.

The iPad mini was updated last year with the A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg expects the next iPad mini with the new water-resistant design to launch sometime in 2026 at the earliest.

Water-resistant tablets aren’t a new concept. Sony was among the first consumer brands to introduce the feature with the Xperia Z2 Tablet in 2014 and the Xperia Z4 Tablet in 2015. Samsung followed suit with the Galaxy Tab Active3 in 2020, and later extended the feature to its flagship Galaxy Tab S9 series in 2023.

Source: Bloomberg via MacRumors