Apple is laying the groundwork for a significant refresh of its tablet lineup over the next two years, with a new iPad mini featuring an OLED display slated to arrive as early as fall 2026. Codenamed J510, the compact tablet will adopt an 8.4-inch screen, a marginal increase over the current 8.3-inch panel, according to people familiar with the plans.
A Long-Awaited Display Change, With Familiar Limits
The move to OLED promises deeper black levels, higher peak brightness in HDR content, and faster pixel response compared with the IPS-based Liquid Retina display used in the current generation. However, Apple is said to be sourcing a 60 Hz LTPS OLED panel for the device, meaning the smooth-scrolling ProMotion technology will remain exclusive to the company’s pricier iPad Pro and iPad Air lines for the time being. The tablet is also expected to run on the Apple A19 Pro processor, the same silicon anticipated for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
Beyond the display and processor, it remains unclear whether the next iPad mini will bring additional hardware upgrades. The relatively restrained approach, particularly the 60 Hz panel, suggests Apple is positioning the mini as a mid-tier device even as it benefits from OLED’s contrast advantages.
Broader iPad Roadmap into 2027
Following the mini’s debut, Apple plans to introduce three more iPad models in the spring of 2027. The entry-level iPad is expected to arrive first, between January and March, receiving a processor upgrade while retaining the existing design. Given that the current base iPad uses the A16 Bionic chip, a move to an A18 or A19 series processor appears plausible.
During the same window, updated iPad Air and iPad Pro models are also on the roadmap, with the emphasis again placed on internal silicon improvements rather than external redesigns. Separately, work is underway on an iPad Air equipped with an OLED display, though its launch date stretches further out. Alongside the tablet hardware push, Apple is reportedly developing a new Apple Pencil with a user-replaceable battery, a feature that would mark a notable departure from the current non-removable design.
Source: www.bloomberg.com