Apple Prepares Redesigned iPad Mini with OLED and Water Resistance for October

Apple is gearing up for a significant refresh of its smallest tablet line, with a heavily updated iPad mini slated to arrive by October, after it reveals a long-awaited foldable iPhone and an updated Apple Watch in September, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg also reported that the iPad mini received a new, faster chip two years ago and a design revamp in 2021, but has otherwise remained unchanged.

Water Resistance and Vibration-Based Audio on the Next iPad Mini

The next-generation device will apparently be the first iPad with a water-resistant design. No current Apple tablet carries an official water resistance rating, and Apple does not consider the existing models safe to get wet. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported last year that Apple is working on an updated casing that offers protection comparable to the iPhone, making the iPad mini safe for casual use in wet environments like a bathroom or a pool area.

To achieve this, Apple has reportedly designed a vibration-based speaker system that removes the need for traditional speaker holes. Sound would instead emit differently, as Apple has designed a vibration-based speaker system that removes the need for traditional speaker holes.

The upcoming hardware changes could give users a better choice for reading by the pool, using in the kitchen, or taking on trips without worrying as much about accidental splashes.

OLED Display Upgrades and Performance Leaps

Beyond durability, the display is receiving its most dramatic change yet. Multiple sources corroborate that the device will feature an OLED display. For users, the move to OLED means deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast.

The iPhone X was the first iPhone to use an OLED display in 2017, while the OLED iPad Pro debuted in 2024. Weibo leaker Instant Digital is the latest to corroborate the iPad mini getting an OLED display, stating that Apple is planning to release this iPad by the third or fourth quarter of 2026 at the earliest. This report comes a month after Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple has been testing OLED panels for the iPad mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air.

Under the hood, the tablet follows the iPad mini receiving a new, faster chip two years ago and a design revamp in 2021.

Broader iPad Lineup and Pricing Context

The autumn launch for the compact tablet follows broader plans across Apple’s ecosystem. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is aiming to release a revised iPad mini with an OLED display by October.

Other models in the broader portfolio are also seeing staggered updates. Apple is working on a 12th-generation iPad, and plans to update the most affordable tablet in the iPad in 2027. It’s not going to be a major update, but if you’re planning a purchase, you might want to wait for the newest model. There are no rumors of an updated design for the 12th-generation iPad, so it will likely have the same 11-inch edge-to-edge display with Touch ID Side Button and thick bezels. Apple last updated the iPad’s design with the 10th-generation model, giving the device a more modern look to better match the designs of the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Meanwhile, a new version of the standard iPad is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027, followed by an OLED-equipped iPad Air and a new iPad Pro in the spring.