The iPad mini 8 is expected to launch in October. Reports indicate this is the most significant upgrade in the mini series' history, with the screen size increasing from the current 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches by narrowing the bezels, resulting in a larger display area without a noticeable increase in overall device dimensions.
The screen is upgraded to an OLED panel for the first time, offering richer colors and higher contrast compared to the current LCD model, with better pure black performance. Unfortunately, multiple leaks confirm that the refresh rate remains at 60Hz, without support for ProMotion.
Performance is powered by Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process. Compared to the current A17 Pro chip, CPU performance improves by approximately 1.5x, and GPU performance by about 2.5x. It features dual 16-core Neural Engines totaling 32 cores, enabling full on-device Apple Intelligence AI capabilities.
Memory is upgraded from 8GB to 12GB, supporting customizable Siri AI voice speed and expressiveness. Base storage is increased from 64GB to 128GB.
It features Apple's self-developed N1 chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Cellular models use the C1X or C2 self-developed modem and are available only in eSIM versions, with no support for physical SIM cards.
The camera setup remains dual 12MP lenses on the front and back. The front-facing camera is now oriented horizontally, positioned on the right side of the bezel when held.
The body adopts a vibration-based speaker structure without openings, eliminating traditional speaker grilles. The top bezel may feature a speaker similar to the iPhone's earpiece.
For the first time, it supports IP68 dust and water resistance, making it Apple's first iPad with waterproof capabilities.
Regarding pricing, the current iPad mini saw a $100 price increase in June this year, with a US starting price of $599 (approximately RMB 4,340). With the higher cost of OLED screens and doubled base storage, the starting price for the new generation may rise further.