A wave of new rumors is swirling around Apple's next iPad mini. According to multiple overseas leak sources, the upcoming model is expected to move from the current LCD display to an OLED panel, while the processor is said to switch to the next-generation A20 Pro chip. Apple has not made any official announcement, but the leaks point to a launch as early as October.
Display and Chip Set for a Generational Leap
Pooling together reports from several overseas outlets, the switch from LCD to OLED looks like the most likely change for the new iPad mini. OLED offers richer colors and higher contrast than LCD, though the higher manufacturing cost is also seen as one reason the price could rise. Notably, ProMotion, Apple's high refresh rate technology, is not expected to make an appearance this time either, so the display is likely to stay at 60Hz.
On the processor side, rumors point to the A20 Pro, believed to be from the same generation as Apple's latest flagship iPhone chip. That would mark a jump of three generations from the A17 Pro used in the current model, bringing a substantial boost to processing power and AI-related performance.
Camera Placement and Water Resistance Also Rumored to Change
The overall design is expected to stay close to the current model, but a few detail-level changes have reportedly been planned. The front camera, currently positioned on the top bezel, is said to be moving to the side bezel, which becomes the natural position when the tablet is held in landscape orientation. It is the kind of refinement that makes sense for a tablet frequently used sideways for video calls and video viewing.
Beyond that, reports point to a new vibration-based speaker system and improved water resistance compared with the current model. A small cutout for an additional speaker at the top of the display has also been mentioned, suggesting an overall boost to audio quality.
October Launch Expected, Price Could Rise from Current Model
An October 2026 launch looks like the most likely timing at this point. The current iPad mini, which runs on the A17 Pro chip, launched in October 2024, so this would mark a refresh roughly two years later. On pricing, the added cost of OLED technology has fueled speculation that the price could rise from the current model's 599 USD (about 95,000 yen). *Calculated at 1 USD = 158 JPY (as of September 25, 2026)
Where the Information Comes From, and What's Next
What makes this round of rumors notable is that it comes from two different kinds of sources: analysis-focused outlets reporting references to a new model found inside Apple's own software code, and independent reporting from a well-known journalist with a strong track record on Apple coverage. The fact that similar details have emerged from these separate channels is one reason overseas media outlets are treating this rumor as relatively credible.
Separately, the next standard-size iPad is also rumored to arrive in the first quarter of 2027, reportedly sticking with an LCD display while bumping memory up to 8GB. There are also reports that the iPad Air is slated to gain an OLED display around spring 2027, hinting that Apple may be moving its entire tablet lineup toward OLED in stages.
Summary
Apple's next iPad mini is rumored to bring an OLED display, the new A20 Pro chip, a repositioned camera, and improved water resistance, with a launch expected as early as October. All of this remains unconfirmed leak information for now, and the official specifications and release date will have to wait for Apple's own announcement. Attention is likely to turn next to any official event Apple schedules to unveil the device.
