Goodbye LED
Regardless of size, the iPad Air and iPad mini offer comparable Liquid Retina (LED) displays. With both models, you get the same maximum brightness, P3 wide color gamut, True Tone support, Apple Pencil support, anti-reflective coating, etc. The iPad mini comes with a slightly higher pixel density of 326 ppi (compared to the Air’s 264 ppi) due to its smaller size, but that’s about it.
The iPad Pro M4 was Apple’s first tablet to adopt an OLED panel, offering true blacks and sharper colors. After two years of exclusivity, OLED is finally rumored to be expanding to another iPad. Based on Apple’s template, one would assume it would be the iPad Air, but surprisingly, it is said to come to the mini model first.
The iPad mini will reportedly be Apple’s first non-Pro tablet to switch to OLED. Having actively used an iPad Air LED and an iPad Pro OLED, let me tell you that it’s not just an iterative increase on a spec sheet. The difference in image quality is day and night. Colors are richer, blacks are deeper, and HDR content shines.
To be fair, the iPad mini reportedly won’t receive the same tandem OLED technology found on the iPad Pro, but the update will certainly improve digital content consumed. Even with a smaller screen, the iPad mini will essentially outperform the Air for movies and photo editing.
The iPad Pro may not be the only Apple tablet with an OLED display.
Britta O’Boyle
Setting the IP on iPad
iPads have never had a water resistance rating, making them susceptible to liquid damage and more of a concern when traveling to the beach or using it to relax while bathing. The next iPad mini will be the first model with official water resistance certification, greatly expanding its possibilities of use.
On rainy days, for example, you won’t hesitate to take it with you. Likewise, you’ll feel more comfortable using it in the kitchen while cooking, at the beach, or in the bathtub. This will make it infinitely more practical for on-the-go reading sessions, watching recipes, and consuming media while soaking, and will set it apart even from the iPad Pro. Add in its inherent portability and it’s a more intriguing option than the Air.
