Key Takeaways
1. The upcoming iPad mini will be the 8th generation, featuring significant performance improvements.
2. It is expected to have the A20 Pro chip, offering a speed increase of up to 30% compared to the current A17 Pro chip.
3. The A20 Pro chip will also power the next iPhone generation, built on a more efficient 2 nm process.
4. The new iPad mini may include an 8.5-inch OLED display, although it will have a 60 Hz refresh rate.
5. The expected release date for the iPad mini 8 is Q3 2026, pending confirmation from Apple.
A recent leak of an internal iOS 26 build has revealed a wealth of details about Apple’s soon-to-be-released products. One highlight is the upcoming iPad mini, set to be the 8th generation after last year’s model. According to the leak, this next iPad mini is poised to be even more powerful than we initially thought, enhancing its appeal for fans of its smaller size.
New Specifications
Rumors from late last month indicated that the new iPad mini will be equipped with a much stronger SoC compared to the A17 Pro in the current model, specifically the A19 Pro used in the latest iPhone Pro models. This would have represented a significant improvement since the A19 Pro offers a speed increase of about 20% to 30% over the A17 Pro. However, the iOS 26 leak suggests that the iPad mini 8 will actually feature the A20 Pro chip, based on a summary by ‘Kang’ on Weibo.
Performance Expectations
The A20 Pro chip is anticipated to also drive the next iPhone generation, including the iPhone 18 series and the speculated iPhone Fold. These A20 chips are built using a newer and more efficient 2 nm manufacturing process, which is a first for Apple. This advancement is expected to deliver up to 15% more power and 30% greater efficiency compared to the A19 series, which is based on a 3 nm process. On paper, the iPad mini 8 is gearing up to be a true performance beast.
Display and Release Timeline
In addition to the SoC enhancement, the new iPad mini is rumored to come with an 8.5-inch OLED display, although it will be limited to 60 Hz. As for the launch date, the tablet is expected to hit the market in Q3 2026, so these details may not be final. Naturally, Apple has yet to confirm any information regarding its forthcoming products, so it’s wise to stay cautious about these claims.
Kang on Weibo, CPU-Monkey.
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