Apple is developing a next-generation iPad mini with a novel vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker holes, according to Bloomberg.
The new acoustic design would allow sound to emit from flat surfaces on the device's chassis rather than through conventional grilles. By removing these openings, Apple aims to create a more water-resistant enclosure similar to the iPhone's protection level.
However, the approach described by the latest Bloomberg report differs from the iPhone, which relies on adhesives and gaskets around speaker openings to prevent water ingress.
Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, and that means they're vulnerable to moisture damage, but the speaker hole redesign addresses one of the main areas where water typically penetrates a device.
Apple has been exploring related speaker technology for years. A 2014 patent describes a "mechanically actuated panel acoustic system" that turns portions of a device's body into a speaker diaphragm through vibration, negating the need for speaker grilles. With the iPad mini 8, Apple could be finally ready to implement a similar solution.
Apple last updated the iPad mini in 2024 with the seventh-generation model. The water-resistant version with the new speaker system could arrive as soon as 2026, and it's also expected to benefit from a brighter OLED display that replaces the older LCD panel currently used.
