Apple is reportedly working on an OLED iPad mini for release in 2026, according to a report from ZDNet Korea. The report says Apple has requested OLED display panels designed for future iPad mini models from its suppliers.
Samsung Display reportedly began developing samples of 8-inch OLED panels for a future iPad mini model last month. The manufacturer is said to have plans to begin mass production at its facility in Cheonan in the second half of 2025. Samsung currently provides OLED panels for the new iPad Pro. The report also mentions that Apple will bring an OLED panel to the iPad Air alongside the iPad mini in 2026.
We’ve seen previous rumors about the iPad mini and iPad Air making the move to OLED displays. Research firm Omdia claims the iPad Air will get an OLED display in 2026, followed by the iPad mini in 2027. However, a report from Korea’s ET News jibes with the ZDNET report that both models will be refreshed with OLED simultaneously in 2026, although there is a chance that Apple will hold off bringing OLED to the 13-inch iPad Air until 2027. Meanwhile, the iPad mini’s screen may grow from 8.3- to 8.7 inches in size.
The iPad mini and iPad Air may sport single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels, which may be dimmer and lack ProMotion.