Apple’s iPad mini line has always focused on portability without feeling underpowered, and the next model could push that idea much further. Fresh leaks based on an internal iOS 26 build suggest Apple is already testing the iPad mini 8 with a significant performance upgrade.
Early reports suggested the tablet would jump from the A17 Pro to an A19 Pro chip, supposedly matching upcoming iPhone Pro models with around 20–30% better performance. However, a new leak from Weibo tipster Kang claims Apple may skip the A19 Pro entirely and move straight to the A20 Pro.
The A20 Pro is expected to debut with the iPhone 18 series and Apple’s first foldable device, and is rumoured to use a next-generation 2nm process. It’s rumoured to deliver about 15% more performance and up to 30% better power efficiency over current 3nm chips. For a compact device like the mini, that could mean faster app launches, smoother gaming, and longer battery life.
On the display side, the iPad mini 8 is said to adopt an 8.5-inch OLED screen for the first time in the series, bringing richer contrast and more vivid colours compared to LCD. Apple is still likely to stick with a 60Hz refresh rate, keeping the gap between the mini and the Pro models.
The tablet is reportedly targeting a Q3 2026 launch, so details may still shift as development continues. But if these leaks are accurate, the iPad mini 8 could turn into one of Apple’s most powerful and premium small-screen devices yet.
