Apple’s upcoming iPad mini 8 may use a 60Hz OLED display instead of a faster 120Hz ProMotion panel, according to a new post from Korean tipster yeux1122. The report adds to earlier claims that Apple’s first OLED iPad mini will use a simpler display design than the iPad Pro.

The information comes from a post on Naver that says domestic production quantities for the tablet have already been confirmed with an LTPS panel running at 60Hz. The tipster has a mixed track record, so the display specification remains unconfirmed until Apple announces the device.

Why the iPad mini may miss out on ProMotion

Apple’s current iPad Pro models use two-stack LTPO OLED panels. This technology allows the screen to vary its refresh rate between 10Hz and 120Hz, helping support smoother motion while managing power consumption.

LTPS OLED panels are generally associated with fixed refresh rates, including 60Hz, 90Hz and 120Hz. They are also typically less bright than LTPO-based displays. If the latest claim is accurate, the iPad mini 8 would therefore receive the benefits of OLED contrast and black levels without matching the display responsiveness of Apple’s Pro tablets.

That outcome could disappoint buyers hoping for a major upgrade over the 60Hz LCD screen used by the existing iPad mini 7. Expectations for a higher refresh rate grew after Apple introduced 120Hz ProMotion to the base iPhone 17. However, the iPhone 17e shows that Apple continues to offer 60Hz OLED screens in some products, suggesting the company may reserve more advanced display hardware for higher-volume or premium devices.

Other rumored iPad mini 8 upgrades

The display is not expected to be the only change. Earlier reports have pointed to a faster A20 Pro chip, a FaceTime camera moved from the portrait edge to the landscape edge, and a redesigned speaker system.

The tablet is also rumored to have a water-resistant design, although details about its durability and construction have not been disclosed. None of these specifications has been confirmed by Apple.

When could the new iPad mini launch?

Apple is expected to introduce the iPad mini 8 sometime in October, but the company has not announced a launch date. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple plans to unveil new home products on October 13.

Separate reporting indicates that Apple could hold another event during the final week of October. If that timing is accurate, the iPad mini 8 could be announced separately from the company’s home-focused product launch. Apple’s event plans and the tablet’s final specifications remain subject to change.