In an era where portability and performance are equally valued, the iPad mini stands out as a device that delivers both. Compact yet powerful, it offers users the convenience of a fully functional iPad in a size that fits comfortably in one hand—making it an essential companion for anyone seeking productivity without a lot of hassle. For the iPad mini enthusiasts, there’s some good news. Reports suggest that Apple’s iPad mini 8 is highly likely to arrive next year. And if the rumours are true then it’s not just simply coming back, it’s coming back BIG—not in size, that is, but in performance. Let’s take a look at some of the rumoured upgrades that users are getting with the iPad mini 8.
OLED Display
One of the biggest whispers around town is that iPad mini 8 could transition from the older Liquid Retina LCD to a vibrant OLED panel. The new screen will bring more vibrancy which could significantly improve picture quality which makes for the overall media experience—reading, sketching, watching something, or whatever it is that you do.
A19 Pro Chip
Apparently the next iPad mini may include the A10 Pro chip, the same one that is being used in some of Apple’s newest phones—iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This would likely bring a meaningful bump in the performance, making the device more suitable for multitasking, gaming, using creative apps or any other demanding tasks.
Water-Resistant Design
Some reports suggest that the iPad mini 8 might be the first iPad to offer some level of official water resistance. I mean it does make sense to add this feature, considering the size of the device is very handy and likely to accidentally slip out of those very hands. Presumably Apple is sealing the internals better and making the device more resilient to splashes or accidental exposure to moisture.
New Speaker System
As part of the rework to enable water resistance, the mini may get a redesigned speaker system that drops the classic speaker grills altogether. Instead, sound could come from vibration‑based speakers embedded in the chassis, reducing openings that let water or dust in.
Launch Date
The iPad mini 8 could launch sometime in early to mid‑2026, potentially alongside refreshed iPad Air models.
Price
We don’t have any concrete updates on this yet. But if I were to take a purely speculative guess—simply based on and not any past behaviour demonstrated by the tech company—I’d say it’s gonna be quite pricier than the last one.
All things considered, the iPad mini 8 seems set to bring some interesting changes. And even though the exact details still remain a little uncertain, even if some of these upgrades come true, it may well be a device worth keeping an eye on.
