A new rumor from South Korea suggests that Apple's next iPad mini with an OLED display may not feature the high refresh rate many enthusiasts hoped for. The information, shared by leaker "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, claims that Apple has selected an 8.4-inch LTPS OLED panel with a fixed 60Hz refresh rate for the model currently in mass production at Samsung Display.
LTPS OLED panel at 60Hz disappoints expectations
According to the leaker, the new iPad mini would be equipped with a hybrid OLED panel using a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) backplane, which does not support variable refresh rates. Unlike the iPad Pro models, which use two-stack LTPO OLED panels capable of dynamically adjusting from 10Hz to 120Hz with ProMotion, LTPS panels are usually fixed and can be dimmer. If the leak is accurate, many users may be disappointed, especially since the base iPhone 17 already offers a 120Hz ProMotion display, while the iPhone 17e proves Apple still uses 60Hz OLED panels in some products.
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Mass production already underway at Samsung Display
The leaker added that the new iPad mini is currently in mass production on Samsung Display's A2 line at its Asan campus in South Korea. The same line can produce both LTPO and LTPS panels, so it is not yet certain that Apple has chosen the less advanced option. However, according to a report from ETNews late last month, mass production has already started, fueling speculation of a launch by the end of 2026.
OLED benefits despite limited refresh rate
Even with a 60Hz refresh rate, the switch from LCD to OLED would bring significant improvements: higher contrast, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency. For users upgrading from the current iPad mini 7 with LCD, the quality leap would still be substantial. It remains to be seen whether Apple will reserve a higher refresh rate for a future Pro model or will lower the price to justify the technical choice.
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For those following the Apple ecosystem, other news includes the public beta of iOS 27 introducing Siri AI with file control and home automations, and rumors about an iPhone 20 with glass design already in preparation. To learn more about OLED technology, visit the Wikipedia page.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/14/oled-ipad-mini-has-60hz-display
