Apple is reportedly working on a refreshed version of the iPad mini, which is expected to come with a plethora of noteworthy upgrades. We are not only expecting a refreshed design but also major improvements on the inside, which will make the mini jump from the basic category to more like a ‘Pro’ device, especially with the company’s latest iPadOS upgrades. A new leak claims that the iPad mini 8 is expected to be powered by Apple’s A19 Pro chips, the same chips that will power the forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro models. The chip will be plenty capable of handling anything that you throw at it, and considering how popular the iPad mini 7 has been over the years, the next version will redefine the category and take it to new heights.
Apple’s next iPad mini will pack flagship power and OLED brilliance, transforming the compact tablet experience
According to code that Apple accidentally leaked (via MacRumors), the next iPad mini is slated to adopt the A19 Pro processor, which will be a meaningful upgrade over the current iteration of the device. The iPhone maker will introduce the A19 series of chips next month, and we are expecting three variants of the chip – the standard A19, A19 Pro, and A19 Pro with one less GPU core. If you have not been following the news, the iPhone 17 will be powered by the A19 chip, the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature the most powerful A19 Pro chip with a 6-core GPU, and the iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature the A19 Pro chip but with a 5-core GPU. With the iPad mini 8, we are expecting Apple to equip the device with a full-fledged variant of the A19 Pro chip.
Apart from the processor, we have previously heard that Apple is also aiming to incorporate the smallest iPad with an OLED display, which will significantly enhance the visuals compared to the current models. The jump from LCD to OLED display would offer deeper blacks, richer colors, and a higher contrast ratio, ultimately making it a perfect device for media consumption, gaming, and more.
As for the launch, initial reports have claimed that Apple will launch the iPad mini 7 next year with the aforementioned upgrades, but some analysts believe that the device will not be ready until 2027. Apple sticks to a three-year release cycle with the iPad mini lineup, and since the last version was announced in October of 2024, we can place our bets on 2027 for the iPad mini 8. Other than this, the company is also working to refresh the low-cost iPad with an A18 chip, which currently powers the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and it is expected to see daylight in the spring of next year.
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