Apple reportedly eyes October OLED iPad mini debut

Apple is reportedly aiming to launch its first OLED iPad mini by October, according to Bloomberg, marking what the outlet describes as the device’s biggest overhaul in half a decade.

The new model, code-named J510, is said to be planned for unveiling as early as this fall, with a release targeted by October. Bloomberg also says Apple is working on an eventual OLED upgrade for the iPad Air, while the base iPad is expected to stick with LCD panels for the foreseeable future to keep costs down.

A separate claim this week from Weibo leaker yeux1122 also pointed to an OLED iPad mini, but said the tablet would not get ProMotion and would remain capped at a fixed 60Hz refresh rate.

The display upgrade could come with another price increase. The iPad mini now starts at $599, up from $499 before Apple introduced broad price hikes across much of its lineup a few weeks ago.

Expected iPad release timeline

Bloomberg’s report also outlines Apple’s roadmap for the rest of the iPad family:

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• The next entry-level iPad, code-named J581, could arrive as early as the first calendar quarter next year, with a faster processor as the main change.
• New iPad Air models, code-named J807 and J837, are reportedly on track for spring and will continue in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes.
• New iPad Pro models are also planned for roughly the same period, Bloomberg previously reported.
• Apple is also expected to update the Apple Pencil next year, with models that may feature replaceable batteries.