The good news is a new iPad mini could release in months – er, let's just ignore the bad news

iPad mini 7 in multiple colours on a yellow background — (Image credit: Apple)

Quick Summary

Apple might be cutting corners with its next iPad mini, thought to be coming later this year.

While it is expected to switch to an OLED display, it is claimed that it will retain a 60Hz refresh rate – a lot lower than many rivals.

Apple will reportedly release a new iPad mini later this year, according to several rumours flying around, but one leaker has also revealed some less welcome news.

The iPad mini 8 could feature a significant upgrade by adopting an 8.4-inch hybrid OLED display – the current model comes with an IPS LCD panel. This would give it improved black levels and colour saturation, while an LTPS back panel could ensure it is capable of brighter images, too.

However, according to Korean tipster yeux1122 (via MacRumors), the OLED panel used will continue to be locked to 60Hz. This allegedly comes from the display supply chain, with "mass production" said to be "underway".

Can 60Hz still cut it in the face of the competition?

Rival tablets of its size often have panels capable of at least 120Hz. The gaming-centric RedMagic Astra goes up to 185Hz, in fact. And that sports an OLED display, as well.

Hopefully though, Apple will manage to keep the price down. It has recently raised prices across most of its products, in response to the ongoing global components crisis, but the iPad mini is traditionally its more accessible tablet.

And, with the iPhone Ultra looming large, which is effectively a foldable iPad mini, surely the actual iPad mini will be now seen as an alternative for those that can't justify the Ultra's expected costs (over $2,000, it is said).

We should find out soon enough, with previous suggestions that the new mini will arrive in October, along with a potential MacBook Pro refresh. We'll keep you up to date with any further goings-on in the meantime.

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Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.

Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.