Apple’s next iPad mini could take a big leap in performance and visual experience

Apple's smallest tablet may be on track for its most significant leap yet, combining a next-generation A20 Pro chip with an OLED display.

By Shikhar Mehrotra Published December 17, 2025

Person holding the iPad Mini 7. — Prakhar Khanna / Digital trends

Apple’s next iPad mini could be significantly more powerful than its predecessor, says a MacRumors report. The publication claims that the purported iPad mini could feature Apple’s A20 Pro chip, and if you haven’t heard its name yet, that’s because it is supposed to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026.

Not too long ago, rumors claimed that the eighth-generation iPad mini will feature the A19 Pro chip, the one powering the iPhone 17 Pro models. While that would also have provided a considerable performance boost over the A17 Pro chip in the current-generation iPad mini, the A20 Pro could be a monumental jump for the iPad mini, giving it enough headroom for several years.

iPhone 18 Pro’s chip on the iPad mini sounds quite exciting

The publication cites the codenames mentioned in a “macOS kernel debug kit” as its source. However, it also mentions how it could just be Apple testing an iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip (an unreleased chip). Further, the choice of processor also depends on the device’s launch timeline, but there is no consensus on that either.

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On the one hand, some sources suggest that Apple could release a new iPad mini early in 2026, in which case, it would either rely on the A19 Pro chip or become the first device to feature the A20 Pro chip (which seems unlikely to me).

However, if the next-generation iPad mini debuts in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 lineup, the chances of seeing the A20 Pro chip would be higher. If that happens, Apple won’t just be refreshing the iPad mini with a silicon upgrade; it would elevate the mini to the flagship (and, not to mention, latest) hardware.

Along with the chipset rumor, the purported iPad mini is also said to feature an OLED screen, potentially around 8.5 inches (measured diagonally). If that pans out, the iPad will get a much-awaited display upgrade that could help boost its sales. An OLED panel with deeper blacks and richer colors would deliver a truly premium visual experience on an iPad mini.

If you’re considering getting a relatively small but equally powerful iPad, you’d want to wait until next year when Apple could unveil the new iPad mini with the A19 Pro or the A20 Pro chip and an OLED screen. Remember that the information provided here is based on an early leak, and the company could change its path as it nears product finalization.

Most recently, an iOS 26 code leak also hinted at a significant performance upgrade for the entry-level iPad with the A19 chip.

Shikhar Mehrotra

News Writer

For more than five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in the field of consumer tech and presented them…

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