Apple releases updated iPad mini featuring OLED display without ProMotion
The eighth-generation iPad mini introduces an A20 Pro chip and an 8.5-inch OLED screen, but remains limited to a 60 Hz refresh rate.
Apple has unveiled its latest iPad mini, marking the eighth iteration of the device. Key hardware updates include the transition to the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, the integration of Wi-Fi 7, and an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. The device also features a thinner profile and reduced weight, enabled by a 24% reduction in bezel size.
Despite the upgrade to OLED display technology, the device does not support ProMotion, Apple's proprietary 120 Hz variable refresh rate system. Reports indicate the use of an LTPS (low-temperature polycrystalline silicon) display panel, which lacks the oxide-based transistors found in LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) panels. This technical constraint necessitates a fixed 60 Hz refresh rate to prevent visual degradation and power leakage.
The starting price for the device has been set at $699 for the 128 GB model. Industry observers suggest that Apple’s decision to omit ProMotion-ready displays is likely a cost-containment strategy, as the integration of LTPO technology could have increased production expenses during a period of rising component costs.