Biggest upgrade in five years! Apple’s OLED iPad mini may be released as soon as this fall, entry-level and Air models to be updated next year.

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Apple is preparing the largest upgrade to the iPad mini in nearly five years while planning to refresh the entry-level iPad and Air series next year, in order to continue the recent strong momentum of its iPad business.

According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, the new iPad mini will be equipped with an OLED screen for the first time. Apple is expected to launch this device as early as this fall, with official sales planned around October. This will mark the first major update to the iPad mini's appearance and screen technology since its redesign in 2021.

The above product upgrades are expected to further strengthen the revival of the iPad business. Apple’s iPad sales have exceeded Wall Street expectations for two consecutive quarters and are projected to grow 6% year-on-year this fiscal year, reaching nearly $30 billion, ranking among the most commercially valuable product lines under Apple.

As of publication, Apple shares were up 1.5% in Thursday’s trading.

OLED screen introduced for the first time, iPad mini gets largest upgrade in five years

The new iPad mini, internally codenamed J510, will introduce OLED display technology for the first time. OLED, which stands for organic light-emitting diode, offers higher contrast and color performance. Apple has used it in iPhones since 2017 and introduced it into the iPad Pro series in 2024.

Since the iPad mini's redesign in 2021, only minor upgrades in chip technology have been made, while its screen technology has remained LCD.

The introduction of OLED means this 8.3-inch small tablet will move closer to the high-end product line in display specs. According to insiders, Apple also plans to launch an OLED version of the iPad Air in the future, but the entry-level iPad will continue to use LCD technology for the foreseeable future.

Worth noting, the OLED panel will further raise the price of the iPad mini.

Just last month, Apple raised prices across several devices: the entry-level iPad and iPad mini each increased by $100; the iPad Air rose up to $200, reaching $949 for the 13-inch version; the iPad Pro 13-inch starting price was also raised by $200 to $1,499. Apple attributed this price increase to rising memory prices.

Entry-level iPad and Air to be refreshed next year, Pro to follow as well

The new entry-level iPad, internally codenamed J581, is expected to launch as early as the first quarter of next year, focusing mainly on processor upgrades rather than major design changes. This product is primarily targeted at children, students, and users with light usage needs. Its last update was in March 2025.

New iPad Air models will continue with 11-inch and 13-inch versions, internally codenamed J807 and J837, and are currently planned for release next spring.

According to media reports, Apple is also preparing updates for the new iPad Pro alongside these models. In addition, Apple plans to launch a new Apple Pencil accessory in the same time window.

This release cadence aligns with Apple’s regular pattern—the company typically launches new versions of mid- to high-end tablet products in the spring.

iPad mini's positioning faces potential competition from foldable iPhone

The iPad mini was first launched in 2012, primarily to address the surge in competition from small-sized tablets, but as large-screen phones became popular, its market position gradually became marginalized.

After the discontinuation of the iPod touch in 2022, the iPad mini regained some incremental demand—it had long been a major choice for parents buying small-screen, non-smartphone devices for their children.

However, Apple's upcoming first foldable iPhone will bring new competition. Reportedly, the foldable iPhone will have a screen about 7.8 inches when unfolded, similar to the iPad mini’s 8.3 inches, and can provide a tablet-like interface, which may attract some iPad mini users as a substitute.

Price will remain a key difference between the two. The foldable iPhone is expected to cost over $2,000, about $1,500 higher than the current starting price of the iPad mini, which will largely help the iPad mini retain its market niche as a standalone product category.

The launch of the new iPad series will follow Apple’s expected introduction of the foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max flagship products this September. Apple also plans to refresh the Apple Watch and launch several new Mac computers during the same period.

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