Apple is set to upgrade the iPad mini’s display from IPS LCD to OLED, testing Samsung-made panels for a 2026 release. This change follows previous rumors about the 2024 model, which did not receive the expected OLED upgrade. The introduction of OLED is a positive sign for the iPad mini’s sales performance, indicating the line is thriving. Additionally, the iPad Air might also feature OLED screens in 2026, potentially standardizing this technology across most iPads, except for the entry-level model which will remain on LCD. The iPad mini’s OLED will likely be a single-stack LTPS panel without high refresh rates.
The upcoming iPad mini from Apple may feature a significant display enhancement, transitioning from IPS LCD panels to OLED technology. Reports indicate that Apple is currently testing OLED panels manufactured by Samsung for this compact iPad, making the introduction of an OLED screen a highly anticipated update.
Expected to launch in 2026, this new model would arrive about two years after its predecessor, which was released last October. Although there were whispers in 2023 about a potential OLED panel for the 2024 iPad mini, those plans did not materialize, pushing the rollout of this modern display technology to the next generation.
It’s intriguing to see Apple moving in this direction, indicating an investment in the smaller iPad—likely a sign that the iPad mini is performing well in sales. Additionally, there are rumors that the iPad Air may also adopt OLED technology in 2026, meaning we might soon see the entire iPad lineup equipped with OLED screens, excluding the budget model which will probably continue using LCD to maintain its affordability.
Regarding pricing, the iPad mini’s OLED display is most likely to employ LTPS rather than LTPO, and it definitely won’t be a Tandem OLED setup. Instead, we can expect a single-stack design with respectable but not groundbreaking brightness levels, and likely no high refresh rates—this feature will remain exclusive to the higher-end Pro models.
Source (in Chinese)