iPad Mini 8 Expected Next Week With These 10 New Features

Apple reportedly plans to unveil an iPad mini 8 with an OLED display next week, with those invited to Apple's Los Angeles experience on Wednesday, October 28 expected to receive hands-on time with the device, alongside MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays, a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip, and an iMac with an M6 chip.

Here are 10 new features and changes expected for the iPad mini 8:

• Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process. Expect up to around 1.5× faster CPU performance and up to around 2.5× faster GPU performance compared to the A17 Pro chip in the current iPad mini. A20 Pro also introduces a "dual 16-core Neural Engine" for a total of 32 cores.
• With the A20 Pro chip, the next iPad mini will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB of RAM in the current model. This means the device will support the ability to customize the pace and expressiveness of Siri AI's voice.
• A slightly larger OLED display with better overall image quality compared to the current LCD model, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks. Apple has apparently tested both 60Hz and 120Hz (ProMotion) refresh rates for the new model, but it is unclear which option it chose.
• Slimmer bezels around the display compared to the current model.
• Landscape front camera, meaning the camera will be in the right bezel instead of the top bezel when holding the device in an upright position.
• Apple's custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
• Apple's custom-designed C1X or C2 modem for cellular configurations.
• A redesigned speaker system with no speaker holes and potentially an iPhone earpiece-like speaker in the top bezel.
• IP-rated water resistance for the first time.

In the U.S., the current iPad mini starts at $599 after receiving a $100 price increase in June, which Apple attributed to skyrocketing RAM and storage chip prices. With a costlier OLED display, the next model might be even more expensive.