Following a new Apple leak, we've got a bunch of fresh details about some upcoming devices from the tech giant, including some exciting information surrounding the next iPad Mini. The eighth-generation compact tablet is getting a big upgrade in terms of its processor and display, which could make it a future pick for our guide to the best gaming tablets.
According to the new leak, via Notebookcheck, Apple is equipping the upcoming iPad Mini with an A20 Pro chip. If that processor doesn't ring any bells, it's because it's not actually out yet, with the leak suggesting it's the chip powering next year's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. That means we don't technically know how powerful the processor is, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max only launching a couple of months ago.
However, given that new Apple chips are almost always an upgrade on the predecessor, and the A19 Pro is already impressively powerful, it stands to reason that the A20 Pro should offer top-tier performance. The latest leaks also suggest that Apple is, for the first time, using a 2nm manufacturing process for the A20 Pro, which should make it both more powerful and efficient than previous processors. That could equate to a longer battery life for the iPad Mini, which is never a bad thing.
Not only are we anticipating a performance upgrade, but the fresh leak also points to the eighth-gen iPad Mini packing an OLED display. That's a big improvement on the last generation's IPS LCD screen, offering more vivid colors and inkier blacks. There's a slight caveat in that it looks like Apple is limiting the display to a 60Hz refresh rate, not the 120Hz of some of the best iPads, but it should still be a better quality gaming and streaming experience in terms of visuals.
The only drawback to this update is that, given the A20 Pro chip likely debuts alongside the iPhone 18 series, we might have a while to wait before the new iPad Mini launches. The next generation of Apple flagship phones should arrive around September 2026, so it could be a full year or more until the big unveiling of the eighth-generation tablet. We also don't know whether the improved specs mean we can expect a price hike, but hopefully, we'll find out before too long.