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Apple launched a new iPad mini with an OLED display, but the tablet still does not offer ProMotion. The screen remains limited to 60Hz, unlike the iPad Pro, which supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz. The decision drew criticism from users who expected a higher refresh rate after Apple moved the mini to OLED.
Apple hardware engineering vice president Dave Pakula explained why the company believes the display upgrade still improves the viewing experience. Pakula said, “Display quality cannot be judged by refresh rate alone. OLED pixels respond more than ten times faster than LCD pixels, which helps reduce motion blur during scrolling, video playback and fast on-screen movement.”
The new iPad mini features an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 2,316 x 1,512 resolution. Apple says the display delivers up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness for HDR content and offers far higher contrast than the previous LCD model.
However, the company did not add variable refresh rates. Buyers looking for smoother scrolling and higher-frame-rate gaming will still need to consider the iPad Pro.
The bigger design change is Apple’s new Acoustic Display. Instead of using conventional speaker grilles, Apple uses custom woofers to vibrate the display assembly and produce midrange and bass frequencies.
Pakula said, “The screen’s dimensions allow it to resonate at audible frequencies, much like a conventional woofer. The glass and metal enclosure therefore becomes an active part of the audio system.”
The speaker arrangement removes the need for exposed speaker openings. Apple says this helps create a sealed body and supports the iPad mini’s IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. Independent tests have not yet verified those claims, so real-world audio performance remains to be seen.
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