iPad Mini 8: OLED & AI🤯🔥

Tech & Science

On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, we delve into the latest rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming iPad mini 8. The next-generation iPad mini is anticipated to incorporate an OLED display, aligning with Apple’s strategy to broaden the adoption of this display technology across a wider range of its devices. Apple initially introduced OLED technology with the Apple Watch in 2015, followed by the iPhone in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024. Now, Apple appears to be planning to extend this technology to other devices, including the iPad Air, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, potentially beginning with the iPad mini next year. The current iPad mini, released in 2024, represents an upgrade over its predecessor, featuring the A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. The previous generation introduced a complete redesign alongside the A15 Bionic chip. OLED technology provides advantages such as higher contrast with true blacks, wider viewing angles, faster response times, improved energy efficiency, and generally superior perceived picture quality compared to LCD. The current iPad mini utilizes a version of the A17 Pro chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro, sporting a five-core GPU. Notably, the A19 Pro chip used in the iPad Air also features a five-core GPU, differing from the full six-core version found in the iPhone 17 Pro models, suggesting that Apple may utilize a specialized, binned version of the chip for the iPad mini. Additionally, Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing a more water-resistant version of the iPad mini, marking the first iPad model to achieve a recognized water resistance rating. The current iPad mini currently utilizes a version of the A17 Pro chip.

The iPhone 15 Pro incorporates Apple’s A17 Pro chip, which features a five-core GPU. Notably, the A19 Pro, found in the iPhone Air, also utilizes a five-core GPU, differing from the full six-core version present in the iPhone 17 Pro models. Consequently, it appears highly probable that this “binned” version of the chip will be employed in the upcoming iPad mini. Apple is reportedly planning to launch the iPad mini 8 with an OLED display in the third quarter of next year, at the earliest, with a starting price of $499.