Apple’s smallest tablet may be headed for its most substantial display upgrade yet, but the rumored price could change how buyers judge it. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman estimates that the next iPad mini could start near $799 in the United States. That is an estimate rather than an Apple-announced price, and the company has not confirmed the device, its specifications, or its release timing.
At $799, the new model would sit $200, or roughly 33%, above the current $599 benchmark. It would also represent a much larger jump from the iPad mini 7’s $499 starting price when Apple introduced that model in October 2024: about $300, or 60%. For a compact tablet often used for reading, streaming, casual gaming, and travel, the display experience may matter more every day than another increase in processor headroom.
OLED could be the upgrade users notice most
An OLED panel would give the iPad mini deeper blacks and stronger contrast, improvements that should be immediately visible in movies, photos, and games. Gurman’s report also points to several other possible hardware changes.
- An OLED display
- Apple’s A20 Pro processor
- A revised speaker system
- A relocated front-facing camera
The unresolved issue is refresh rate. Earlier reporting indicated that the tablet may not gain ProMotion, leaving it at 60Hz; that detail remains unconfirmed. OLED would still improve image quality, but a 60Hz panel at a possible $799 entry price would be a more conspicuous trade-off in a category where smooth scrolling and responsive touch can be part of the premium experience.
Compact tablets are no longer automatically synonymous with basic displays. OPPO’s Pad Mini launched in China with an 8.8-inch, 144Hz OLED panel. Differences in availability and software ecosystem mean it is not a direct replacement for every prospective iPad buyer, but it shows that a small tablet can pair an OLED screen with a high refresh rate.
Storage and screen speed will shape the price debate
The next iPad mini is expected toward the end of October, though Apple has not announced a launch. Before its value can be judged, two remaining details are particularly important: whether ProMotion is included and how much storage comes with the base configuration. More capacity could soften a higher entry price, while unchanged storage and a 60Hz display would leave OLED carrying much of the burden of justifying the increase.
If the reported hardware arrives, the next iPad mini could be a more capable portable screen for entertainment and demanding apps. Its appeal will depend less on whether OLED is an upgrade—it clearly is—and more on whether Apple pairs it with enough display fluidity and base storage to make a potentially much higher price feel proportionate.
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