The next iPad mini could cost substantially more than the current model. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has suggested a “considerably more expensive” model, potentially priced close to $799. By comparison, the iPad mini currently on sale starts at $599 with 128GB of storage. For now, this is an estimate, not a price announced by Apple.
This new generation is expected to be introduced in October 2026. Its final price, base storage capacity and full specifications remain unknown. The anticipated changes, beginning with an OLED display, nevertheless suggest a more premium iPad mini.
A price gap that could change the equation
If the price came close to $799, the increase would be about $200 over the current starting price. The comparison could be more nuanced if Apple also increased the base storage, a possibility that has been raised but not confirmed. For buyers primarily looking for a compact tablet, the budget difference would still be substantial.
At that price, the new iPad mini would sit above the current starting price of the 11-inch iPad Air. The choice would no longer be simply about screen size: buyers would also need to decide whether the mini’s smaller format and new features justify paying more than they do today. It is not yet clear how Apple would present such a shift in positioning.
OLED is expected, but key details are still missing
The main expected addition is an OLED display, a first for the iPad mini. This technology is valued in particular for its deep blacks and contrast. A new chassis with thinner bezels is also being considered, which would modernize the tablet’s appearance without giving up its compact format.
Not all display specifications have been established, however. It is unknown whether its panel would be technically comparable to the iPad Pro’s tandem OLED display. Available information also conflicts over possible support for ProMotion at 120Hz. It would therefore be premature to treat that feature as certain, even though it could matter when assessing a more expensive model.
A new chip and improved speakers?
The next iPad mini is also expected to receive a more powerful chip and an improved speaker system. The editorial team at 9to5Mac believes it could be the A20 Pro, which is also associated with the iPhone 18 Pro models. That identification remains a hypothesis: Apple has not confirmed the tablet’s processor.
These potential changes could make the price increase easier to understand for people who want a compact tablet with recent components. Their value will nevertheless depend on the specifications actually announced. The display’s precise quality, storage capacity and final price will matter as much as the chip’s name when assessing this new model.
FAQ
How much could the next iPad mini cost?
An estimate suggests a price close to $799, but Apple has not announced any price. The current model starts at $599 with 128GB of storage.
Is an OLED display confirmed?
Its arrival is expected, without official confirmation. The panel’s exact specifications, including any technical similarities to the iPad Pro’s display, remain unknown.
Will the new iPad mini support ProMotion?
This remains uncertain: information about a 120Hz refresh rate is conflicting.
When could it be introduced?
An announcement is expected in October 2026, possibly at an event that will also feature new OLED MacBook Pro models. That timeline still needs to be confirmed.
Final considerations
An OLED display, thinner bezels, better speakers and a more powerful chip could give the next iPad mini a more premium profile. But at a price close to $799, it would exceed the current starting price of the 11-inch iPad Air. Before deciding whether that extra cost is justified, buyers will need to know the official price, available storage and final display specifications.
