Apple is expected to switch to OLED for the iPad mini next year. Pictured here is the 7th-gen iPad mini with LCD display. Photo: HWZ
An OLED iPad mini seems on track in the next two to three years based on the latest claims by Digital Chat Station.
The tipster says Apple is currently testing Samsung-made OLED display prototypes for the iPad mini. It remains unclear whether these OLED display prototypes support ProMotion—Apple's marketing term for 120Hz refresh rates.
The transition to OLED displays for the iPad lineup has been in the rumour mill for some years. Research firm Omdia initially expected the OLED iPad mini and iPad Air to arrive in 2026.
However, Omdia updated its forecast to 2028 as it believes OLED will remain an iPad Pro exclusive for some time. Additionally, sluggish demand for the M4 iPad Pro models might have delayed Apple's plans to roll out OLED displays for its iPad Air and iPad mini.
Since the average refresh cycle for the iPad mini currently stands at two to three years, it seems likely that an OLED iPad mini will only arrive in 2026 or 2027. Lest we forget, Apple announced the 7th-generation iPad mini in October 2024.
In our review of the 7th-gen iPad mini, we thought its 8.3-inch LCD display was starting to dated. It's certainly starting to show its age besides newer devices with brighter and crisper OLED screens. An OLED screen for the iPad mini could be what it takes to bring this small-sized tablet to the next level.
Source: Digital Chat Station via 9to5Mac
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