Apple is expected to unveil a new smart home hub, reportedly called the HomeView, tomorrow, alongside other smart home products such as smart locks and thermostats. But the company’s October announcements may not stop there. A second event, reportedly planned for later this month, is expected to focus on new Macs and an updated iPad mini.
If the reports are accurate, the iPad mini could be Apple’s final tablet refresh of 2026, with the company pushing updates to its other iPad models into next year.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning two events this month, with the second expected to introduce new Mac hardware and the next-generation iPad mini. The upcoming tablet is rumored to be the first in its lineup to feature an OLED display, marking a more significant change than the previous generation’s largely performance-focused update.
Apple last refreshed the iPad mini in 2024, replacing the A15 chip found in the 2021 model with an A17 Pro processor and increasing RAM from 4GB to 8GB. The upgrade also brought support for Apple Intelligence in supported markets, although the tablet’s overall design and display remained largely unchanged.
An OLED panel would give the next iPad mini a more substantial hardware upgrade. Apple is not expected to abandon LCD technology across its tablet lineup, however. The company refreshed the iPad Air earlier this year with 60Hz IPS LCD displays, suggesting that OLED will remain reserved for select models.
Entry-level iPad reportedly pushed to 2027
The standard iPad could miss out on an update this year, with its next refresh reportedly scheduled for 2027. The current iPad, released in 2025, received a modest internal upgrade, moving to a newer chipset and 6GB of RAM from 4GB. Apple also slightly increased the display size from 10.9 inches to 11 inches.
The next model could bring more substantial changes under the hood. According to information reportedly uncovered in a code leak, the upcoming entry-level iPad will feature Apple’s A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, potentially making it compatible with Apple Intelligence and the company’s expanding suite of AI features.
The leaked information also points to Apple’s N1 networking chip, which would bring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth and Thread connectivity to the tablet. A cellular version is reportedly in development as well, potentially featuring sub-6GHz 5G support through Apple’s C1X modem.
These upgrades would help bring the entry-level iPad closer to Apple’s newer hardware standards, particularly as the company continues expanding its AI capabilities across its product lineup.
More Apple hardware could arrive in 2027
The iPad Pro lineup, last updated in 2025, is also expected to receive new models next year. Apple could additionally refresh the MacBook Air and MacBook Neo, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are among the other products reportedly planned for 2027.
An updated iPad Air may also be in the works, potentially marking its fourth consecutive annual refresh.
For now, Apple has not officially confirmed the reported launch schedule or the rumored hardware specifications. The upcoming October announcements should provide a clearer picture of the company’s near-term product plans.
