The Next iPad Mini Will Finally Get the Display Upgrade It Needs

The iPad mini (2024) has just hit the shelves, but rumors about the next iteration are already surfacing. For those who recently purchased the latest model, here’s something you might not want to hear: the next iPad mini is reportedly getting a significant display upgrade.

Display expert Ross Young has revealed that the upcoming iPad mini will feature an OLED display. In contrast, the current model is equipped with an 8.3-inch LCD display. This upgrade to OLED technology promises better brightness, richer blacks, and improved power efficiency.

The Transition to OLED

Switching to OLED displays will likely become a standard for Apple’s smaller tablet in the future. However, we might have to wait a bit for the iPad mini lineup to be updated again. Historically, the iPad mini was refreshed each year, but that trend shifted after the release of the 2015 model. The next update didn't come until 2019, followed by another in 2021, and now, the iPad mini (2024) was released three years after its predecessor. While there’s no guarantee that Apple will delay the next update for another three years, it's very possible.

The iPad Air (2024) is also still using an LCD display instead of OLED. It’s likely that the next iPad Air will receive an OLED screen before the iPad mini does. There's a possibility that Apple may introduce OLED versions of both tablets around 2025 or 2026. Given the recent launch of the 2024 refresh, it seems unlikely that a new iPad mini will arrive next year. The basic iPad remains equipped with an LCD screen as well, making it the last model to adopt the OLED technology.

Initial Reactions to iPad Mini (2024)

The feedback on the iPad mini (2024) has been quite mixed. While some outlets like Digital Trends have praised its new A17 Pro chip — which enhances Apple Intelligence compatibility and storage options — others have expressed disappointment that the tablet retains many of the same specifications as the earlier model. Given the lengthy wait for the latest release, some users had hoped for more significant changes.

As more news trickles in about future Apple products, it remains to be seen when the much-anticipated OLED display will make its debut in the iPad mini. Until then, new buyers might reconsider their timing as the next version looks set to provide improvements that could enhance the overall user experience.

iPad, OLED, display