The next iPad mini will get the display upgrade it sorely needs

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published October 24, 2024

2024 iPad mini in the hands of a person. — Apple

The iPad mini (2024) has only just arrived on the market, but news about the next version is already starting to leak. The latest nugget is good news for everyone except perhaps those who just bought the newest model. According to display expert Ross Young, Apple’s next iPad mini will feature an OLED display. Like previous versions, the current iPad mini has an 8.3-inch LCD.

An OLED display, which is tech that is already available on the iPad Pro (2024) and newer iPhones, offers increased brightness, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency than LCD.

Recommended Videos

Moving to OLED on iPad mini models is almost certainly Apple’s long-term plan. However, it might be a bit of a wait until we see the iPad mini lineup updated again. Apple’s smallest tablet used to be updated annually, similar to most other iPad models. However, after the release of the 2015 version, updates became less frequent. A new model didn’t emerge after that model until 2019, followed by another release in 2021. The iPad mini (2024) was introduced three years after the previous version. This doesn’t necessarily mean Apple will wait another three years before it updates the product again, although it’s entirely possible the company will wait at least that long.

Person sketching on the 2024 iPad mini. — Apple

The iPad Air (2024) also features LCD instead of OLED. Apple will likely update the next iPad Air to an OLED display before updating the iPad mini. Alternatively, Apple might launch OLED versions of both tablets simultaneously in 2025 or 2026, though the recent release of a 2024 refresh makes a new iPad mini next year feel unlikely. The 10th-generation iPad also includes LCD, not OLED, though the basic iPad will likely be the last iPad to get OLED display tech.

The initial reviews of the iPad mini (2024) have been mixed. On the one hand, Digital Trends and other sources have praised the tablet for its new A17 Pro chip, which adds Apple Intelligence compatibility and improved storage options. On the other hand, the tablet retains many of the exact specifications of the previous model, which is disappointing given the long gap between releases.

Topics

Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

The first iPad mini (2024) reviews are out. Here’s what people are saying

Person sketching on the 2024 iPad mini.

Early reviews of the iPad mini (2024), which Apple announced last week, are primarily favorable. They highlight the impressive performance of the A17 Pro chip and the device’s continued portability. Reviewers also appreciate the brighter display and support for the Apple Pencil Pro, which enhances precision for drawing and note-taking.

However, the design remains unchanged, with noticeable bezels around the display that feel somewhat dated compared to other modern tablets. A significant drawback for some users will be the need for more support from Apple keyboard accessories, which limits its productivity potential.

Mobile

This iPad may be the cheapest way to use Apple’s AI for a while

2024 iPad mini in pink color.

We already know that a new iPad mini is on the way; Apple confirmed that less than a week ago. It's going to be packed with features and powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same one used in the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Not only is it a highly anticipated device, but it might offer be the best bang for your buck as far as Apple Intelligence is concerned.

One of the biggest selling points of this iPad is its focus on Apple Intelligence, even if the service starts five days after the release of the iPad mini — on October 28. It won't even be available at launch, but users will be able to access the features after an update. The biggest selling point, though, is the price. At just $349, this budget-friendly tablet is the most affordable iPad that can use Apple Intelligence at the moment — and probably the least expensive we'll see for quite some time.

Mobile

The iPhone 17 Pro cameras could get a huge upgrade

iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

The iPhone 16 is barely out but we've already heard quite a few rumors about the iPhone 17. For one, we know it's going to lack an iconic model. It's highly likely Apple is discontinuing the Plus series, instead opting for a base iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. There's also a new, debut phone in the works that's been called the iPhone 17 Air or the Slim — you get no prizes for guessing what its selling point will be.

There's potentially a bigger upgrade coming, though. The iPhone 17 is rumored to have a much higher-resolution front camera than the iPhone 16 does. Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max both have a 12-megapixel front camera, but the iPhone 17 Pro might potentially double that with a 24MP front camera, according to tipster Jeff Pu and GSMArena.