Apple rumored to prep OLED iPad mini with A20 Pro chip

Apple is preparing a major update to the iPad mini, the first since 2021, according to 9to5Mac. The next model will introduce an OLED display and get its first chip refresh since 2024. The display will not be the tandem OLED used in the iPad Pro, but 9to5Mac reports that buyers should see more vibrant colors, improved contrast, and a brighter screen.

9to5Mac notes that it is not clear whether the new iPad mini will have a 120Hz ProMotion display. It may stay at 60Hz.

The current iPad mini runs on a 3nm A17 Pro chip with 8GB of memory. According to 9to5Mac, rumors suggest the new model will use an A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory. That would allow it to run Apple's most advanced on-device models locally and could improve Siri AI voice and dictation features. 9to5Mac says the A20 Pro should provide roughly a 60 percent improvement in multi-core CPU performance and a 166 percent improvement in GPU performance.

Apple is working on making the iPad mini water-resistant, 9to5Mac reports. A new casing and redesigned speakers would help push out water. If the feature ships, it would be the first water-resistant iPad.

Pricing could rise sharply. 9to5Mac cites Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says the iPad mini with OLED and the A20 Pro chip could start at $799. That would be a $200 increase over the current $599 starting price. The report says it is unclear whether the base model will continue to start with 128GB of storage.