Apple’s smallest tablet hasn’t changed in almost two years, and yet it may be about to get the biggest upgrade in its history. The iPad mini 8 is rumored to arrive in October 2026 with an OLED screen, an A20 Pro chip, a landscape front camera, new speakers and water resistance. None of it is official yet, but the leaks have never been this specific.
So, should you buy the current iPad mini today or hold off? If you can wait a few weeks, wait. MacRumors says a new iPad mini is expected at some point this month, and its September 25 report is based on images found in Apple’s own code, not a supply chain whisper.
Here’s everything we know so far, what the rumored iPad mini 8 might cost, how it stacks up against the model on sale today, and a simple way to decide what to do with your money.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Rumored, not announced by Apple |
| Expected launch | October 2026, per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and MacRumors |
| Rumored chip | A20 Pro (current model uses the A17 Pro) |
| Rumored display | OLED, slightly larger than today’s 8.3-inch LCD |
| Other rumored changes | Landscape front camera, vibration-based speakers, water resistance |
| Current model price | From $599 (128GB Wi-Fi) |
| Rumored price | Unknown; an increase is possible |
When is the iPad mini 8 coming out?
Let’s back up a little. The current iPad mini launched in October 2024, and Gurman reported back in July that Apple planned a new OLED model “by October” this year. That timeline has held. In August he pointed to a launch by late October, and MacRumors’ October 7 roundup of what to expect from Apple this month lists the new mini alongside Macs, a home hub and more.
Why does that matter to you? Because the stretch between now and the end of the month is the worst possible time to pay full price for the old model. A tablet you buy today could look a generation behind in a matter of weeks.
There’s one more clue worth knowing. Some headlines on MacRumors point to October 27 for both an OLED MacBook Pro and an OLED iPad mini, though the article text itself doesn’t confirm that exact date. Treat it as likely, not locked.
If you want the wider picture of what Apple could reveal this month, our Apple October event 2026 preview covers the full lineup.
The key takeaway here is simple: the launch window is close enough that waiting costs you almost nothing.
Rumored iPad mini 8 specs and features
Most of what we know traces back to one strong source. On September 25, MacRumors reported that contributor Aaron Perris found product images in Apple’s code showing the front of the new tablet. Combined with earlier reporting from Bloomberg, that paints a fairly detailed picture. Remember, every item below is a rumor until Apple says otherwise.
An OLED display
This is the headline change. OLED panels deliver deeper blacks, richer color and stronger contrast than the LCD in today’s model. Reports suggest the screen will also grow slightly beyond 8.3 inches, though the exact size isn’t known. Stuff mentions supply chain talk of roughly 8.5 inches, while other outlets have floated 8.7 inches.
Here’s the catch. It isn’t clear whether Apple will add a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. One report claims the mini could stay at 60Hz, which would make OLED a contrast upgrade rather than a smoothness upgrade.
The A20 Pro chip
The code leak points to the A20 Pro, the same chip family as this year’s Pro iPhones. That would leapfrog the A17 Pro inside the current mini by a wide margin. Earlier leaks pointed to the A19 Pro, so the chip story has shifted over the past year.
Why should you care? Apple Intelligence features lean hard on the Neural Engine, and a newer chip gives the mini more headroom for future software like the features arriving in iOS 27.2 and its iPadOS counterpart.
A landscape front camera
The leaked images show the front camera moved to the long edge of the display. If the leak is right, the mini would be the last iPad to get this layout. That’s a small detail with a big payoff: you’ll look straight at the person on a video call when the tablet sits sideways on a stand or keyboard.
New speakers and water resistance
The images also show a thin groove at the top of the glass, much like an iPhone earpiece. Gurman has reported an all-new vibration-based speaker system, and the leaked icons appear to support that. Fewer speaker holes could also help with water resistance, which Gurman has reported as well. No IP rating has been confirmed.
“The iPad mini 8 isn’t a spec bump. If the leaks are right, it’s the mini Apple should have made years ago.”
Current iPad mini vs rumored iPad mini 8
Let’s break it down side by side. The left column comes from Apple’s own iPad mini page and store, so those specs are confirmed. The right column is built entirely from leaks and reports.
| Feature | Current iPad mini (A17 Pro) | iPad mini 8 (rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU | A20 Pro |
| Display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD, 500 nits | OLED, slightly larger |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | Unclear, possibly 60Hz |
| Front camera | 12MP Center Stage, top edge in portrait | Moved to landscape edge |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide, 4K video | Not yet known |
| Speakers | Traditional speaker openings | Vibration-based system |
| Water resistance | Not rated | Reportedly improved |
| Apple Pencil | Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C | Not yet known |
| Starting price | $599 | Not announced |
Looking at that table, the gap is mostly about the screen and the chip. The current model is still a capable tablet with Apple Pencil Pro support, 5G on cellular models and Apple Intelligence. That said, OLED is the kind of upgrade you notice every single time you pick up the device.
The key takeaway: if screen quality is the reason you love a small tablet, the iPad mini 8 is the one to wait for.
How much will the iPad mini 8 cost?
Nobody knows yet, and that’s the plain truth on price. Apple hasn’t said a word, and none of the major leaks include a figure.
What we do know is the trend. Apple raised the current iPad mini’s starting price from $499 to $599 in July, a $100 jump that our report on why your next iPad and Mac will be 20% more expensive tied to rising memory and storage costs. OLED panels also cost more to make than LCDs.
Here’s what Apple charges for today’s model, straight from its online store:
| Storage | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $599 | $749 |
| 256GB | $699 | $849 |
| 512GB | $899 | $1,049 |
Put those together and a few scenarios look plausible. Apple could hold the line at $599 to keep the mini competitive, or it could nudge the price up again to cover the new display. Stuff’s writer expects the same price as today, while Talking Tech and Audio suggests a rise is coming. Both are educated guesses.
The smart move is to budget for $599 to $699 for the base model and be pleasantly surprised if it lands lower.
Should you buy the current iPad mini now or wait?
Sounds like an easy call, right? Not always. The right answer depends on what you own today and how badly you need a tablet this month.
1. Wait if you can hold out until November
If your current tablet still works, waiting is the clear choice. You’ll either get the iPad mini 8 with its OLED screen and A20 Pro, or you’ll get the current model at a lower price once retailers clear stock.
2. Upgrade with confidence if you own an iPad mini 5 or 6
Owners of older minis have the most to gain. Going from an older A-series chip and an LCD panel to an A20 Pro and OLED would feel like a completely different device. Stuff makes the same point: older mini owners benefit most from waiting.
3. Think twice if you bought the A17 Pro model
If you own the current mini, the decision is harder. Your chip already supports Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro. The OLED screen is the real draw, so ask yourself whether better contrast is worth several hundred dollars.
4. Buy now only if you find a deep discount
If you need a small tablet today, for travel or work, look for a sale price on the current model rather than paying $599. Retailers often trim prices on outgoing models around a launch, so it pays to shop around.
5. Check your trade-in value before launch day
Apple offers trade-in credit toward a new iPad, and your old tablet is worth more before a new model makes it look older. Get a quote now so you know your real upgrade cost.
“The best time to buy an iPad mini is never a few weeks before the next one.”
What about other small tablets?
Here’s the thing. The iPad mini has very little direct competition at 8.3 inches, which is part of why Apple can charge $599 for it. Android rivals tend to go bigger, and if you’re open to a much larger screen, our look at the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra shows where the high end is heading.
If you’re really shopping for a portable Apple device for serious work, the mini isn’t the only option launching this fall. Apple is also expected to refresh its laptops, and our M6 MacBook Pro coverage explains what’s rumored there.
The takeaway: the mini wins on size, but it’s worth knowing what else lands this month before you spend.
Looking ahead: a mini worth the wait
Fast forward a few weeks and the iPad mini could go from Apple’s most overlooked tablet to one of its most interesting. An OLED display, a flagship-class chip, a smarter camera position and better protection from spills would fix nearly every complaint mini fans have had for years.
Of course, it’s all still rumor. Apple could change the price, drop a feature or slip the date. But with code-based leaks, Bloomberg’s reporting and an October window all pointing the same way, the odds look good. If you’ve been holding out for the perfect small tablet, your patience may be about to pay off.
Source: Apple’s iPad mini page.
Frequently asked questions
No. Apple hasn’t announced the iPad mini 8, and every detail about it comes from leaks and reports. That said, MacRumors found images of the device in Apple’s own code, which makes a launch very likely soon.
It looks that way. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects a launch by late October 2026, and MacRumors lists a new iPad mini among products expected this month. Some reports point to October 27, but Apple hasn’t confirmed a date.
There’s no official or leaked price yet. The current model starts at $599 after a $100 increase in July, and OLED screens cost more to make. A starting price between $599 and $699 is a reasonable expectation, but treat it as a guess.
Yes, for most people. A new model with an OLED screen and A20 Pro chip is expected within weeks, and the current model may get cheaper once it arrives. Buy now only if you need a tablet immediately or find a big discount.
That’s the most widely reported upgrade. Gurman, display analysts and the September code leak all point to OLED replacing the current LCD. It’s unclear whether Apple will add a 120Hz refresh rate.
The latest leak points to the A20 Pro, the chip family used in this year’s Pro iPhones. Earlier reports suggested the A19 Pro, so the final answer will come from Apple. Either chip would be a big step up from the current A17 Pro.
Reportedly, yes. Gurman has said the new speaker design and casing could improve water resistance, and leaked icons appear to back that up. No official IP rating has been revealed.
