Apple’s OLED iPad mini is expected to cost considerably more than today’s $599 model. A price closer to $799 is the early estimate, and the new tablet is due at the end of this month.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman made the call in his Power On newsletter, where he says he is hearing the new model will be considerably more expensive than the current one. The $799 figure is his own guess and Gurman did not say whether the higher price comes from the display, the chip or both.
The OLED iPad Mini Is Reportedly Part of Apple’s October 27 Launch
Gurman says Apple is planning a Mac and iPad launch on or around Tuesday, October 27, and the iPad mini is on the docket. The October 27 launch is also expected to include the touchscreen MacBook Pro, along with a 14-inch MacBook Pro and an iMac that keep their current designs but move to M6 processors.
The touchscreen MacBook Pro models, code-named K114 and K116, are the centerpiece of the event. Those laptops are also getting an iPhone-like Dynamic Island and an updated version of macOS Golden Gate designed to better support touch input, Gurman says. They will be significantly lighter than today’s models, though not noticeably thinner.
Apple has considered pairing the online launch with an in-person experience in Los Angeles for creators, similar to the smart home unveiling this week, but the location is not locked in. Gurman expects this to be Apple’s final launch of the year.
A $799 iPad Mini Would Cost $200 More Than Today’s Model
Gurman’s $799 estimate would be $200 more than the $599 model, an increase of about a third. An earlier report pointed to $699 for the OLED version, so his guess sits $100 higher.
Gurman says the entry-level iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro updates all come in 2027, which leaves the iPad mini as the only new iPad Apple has planned for this year. That makes the OLED model the one tablet buyers can expect before the holidays.
The extra money would buy a new display and a new chip. Besides the OLED screen, Gurman expects an A20 Pro chip, a relocated FaceTime camera and a revamped speaker system. Earlier reports also describe a speaker system without grille holes and water resistance, which would be a first for any iPad. A separate rumor says the OLED panel will stay at 60Hz without ProMotion, which would leave the refresh rate where it is on the current model.
The current iPad mini has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and an A17 Pro chip. It supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence, comes in four colors, has a 12MP back camera and a USB-C port, and offers 5G on cellular models. For scale, Apple’s iPad leasing terms list the 11-inch iPad Pro with 256GB at $1,199.
