Apple Tested Two Refresh Rates for the Next iPad Mini, but the Choice Remains Unknown

The iPad mini 8 display question has two possible answers, and even the reporter who broke the news does not know which one Apple picked. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said on his Power On podcast that Apple tested both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion panels for the next small tablet, but he has not learned which version the company selected for production.

Two paths for the screen

The disclosure puts a familiar split in front of iPad mini buyers. A 60Hz panel would keep the current refresh-rate baseline, while a 120Hz ProMotion screen would bring the smoother scrolling and motion that Apple reserves for its higher-tier devices. Gurman’s report confirms that both options were on the table during development. It does not confirm that either one made the final cut.

That distinction matters because display refresh rate is one of the most visible specifications a tablet can carry. It affects how quickly the screen redraws content and how responsive the device feels in everyday use. For now, the public record stops at testing. The final choice remains undisclosed.

Timing points to late October

Apple is expected to announce the new iPad mini on October 27 or October 28. That window comes from the same reporting, though the exact date has not been fixed in public. The narrow range suggests an imminent launch rather than a distant one, but it leaves room for the schedule to shift.

If the announcement lands on either of those days, the display question could be answered quickly. Until then, the refresh rate is an open item in the rumor file, not a settled specification.

Other rumored features

Beyond the screen, the rumor set includes several changes that would mark a broader update to the iPad mini line. These features are listed in reporting but have not been confirmed by the source, so they remain expectations rather than facts.

• An OLED display
• An A20 Pro chip
• A landscape front camera
• A redesigned speaker system
• A water-resistant design

Each item would represent a meaningful shift for a tablet that has typically received more modest refreshes. An OLED panel, in particular, would change the display technology rather than just the refresh rate. The A20 Pro chip would point to a significant performance upgrade. A landscape front camera and a redesigned speaker system would alter how the device handles video calls and media. A water-resistant design would add durability.

None of these are confirmed. They sit alongside the display testing as part of the same unverified .

What remains unresolved

The central unknown is the refresh rate. Gurman’s report establishes that Apple tested 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion options, but it does not say which one the company chose. The exact announcement date is also unconfirmed beyond the expected October 27 or 28 window. Pricing, availability and final product specifications are not part of the reporting.

For readers tracking the iPad mini 8, the takeaway is narrow but useful. The display decision was live during development. The answer is not yet public. The expected announcement is close enough that the uncertainty may not last long.