Although the iPad mini has continued to receive updates and support, it’s fair to say it hasn’t gotten the same level of love as the iPad Pro. However, that could be set to change, as the next iPad mini is expected to launch in 2026 with a new OLED display.
That’s not all, though. Both the iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch models could also receive the same upgrade in 2027 (adding weight to a previous leak). Then there’s the rumored foldable iPad with an 18.8-inch display, according to a report from analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC).
The report states that Apple plans to transition the majority of its displays from LED to OLED between 2026 and 2028. And in more wallet-friendly news, it suggests Apple might switch to a more cost-effective form of OLED to help bring down overall costs. Considering an iPad mini is already on the pricey side, the added cost of an OLED screen — usually around 20% or so — could raise the price to a level that might hurt sales.
If the iPad mini does move to OLED from its existing screen, then it will be a major improvement with deeper blacks, better viewing angles, and much better contrast. Given that Apple is dedicated to color accuracy, an OLED display makes more sense for any of its devices as it allows for truer color representation.
However, the iPad mini isn’t the best choice for certain types of productivity. For instance, editing video can be difficult due to the size limitations — a standard video timeline can become overwhelming quite quickly.
Despite the ongoing trend of larger and larger devices, there is still a market for smaller tablets. Not everyone wants an iPad Pro with a 10.9-inch display when a smaller, more travel-friendly alternative like the iPad mini is available.
An upgraded display would make the iPad mini one of the best choices on the market for watching content while on the go or catching up on a bit of reading, all in a device that can fit into a back pocket. We’re obviously still a ways out before an OLED iPad mini comes to fruition, but assuming this report is true, this could be precisely the type of upgrade we’ve been waiting for.
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it’s a…
You can now use an external webcam with Microsoft Teams on your iPad. Here’s how
For a lot of people, the iPad is the device they choose to work with, which may include taking video calls. Though the front-facing camera on iPads has gotten better over time, many still prefer external webcams because they’re often much better than the built-in webcam on your tablet or even laptop. And now, if you use Microsoft Teams on iPad, you’re finally able to use external cameras, as Microsoft has announced via a blog post.
When we say “finally,” it’s because Apple has included support for external USB-C cameras on the iPad since iPadOS 17. So technically, Microsoft is a little late to the party with this feature. But if you have to use Microsoft Teams for work and you tend to use the iPad most of the time, then this is certainly welcome news.
Read more
Apple Pay finally has an alternative on the iPhone, and it’s a big deal
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has forced a lot of companies to change their practices in order to comply with these guidelines. While the GDPR is a European-focused set of rules, consumers all over the world have seen beneficial side effects. One of those is that Apple has opened up its NFC technology to third parties, resulting in the first-ever alternative to Apple Pay on the iPhone.
Vipps is a Norwegian-based firm and the first company to have a tap-to-pay solution on the iPhone besides Apple itself. For now, the service only supports Norwegian banks, but it’s expected to grow in time and spread to other payment providers across Europe.
Read more
Apple’s progress with slimmer iPhones sounds stunning and worrying
Apple’s first in-house cellular modem will reportedly start appearing in iPhones and iPads next year. The move, which kicks into action with the 2025 iPhone SE refresh, is aimed at helping Apple end its reliance on other suppliers for the part.
The shift, however, also frees up more wiggle room for its engineers to experiment with new designs. One of those could very well be the upcoming iPhone 17 Slim or Air model, which is poised to replace the Plus version in the current lineup.
Read more