The newly announced iPad mini features an OLED display but does not include ProMotion support, limiting its refresh rate to 60Hz rather than the 120Hz found on other premium devices. While ProMotion would have enabled the screen to dynamically adjust between 10Hz and 120Hz based on content, Apple has currently reserved this feature exclusively for the iPad Pro lineup.
In an interview with YouTuber and podcaster Christopher Lawley, David Pakula, Apple's vice president of hardware design, addressed the absence of 120Hz support. Pakula emphasized that display quality extends beyond a single specification, noting that the new OLED panel offers pixel response times more than ten times faster than the previous LCD model. This improvement significantly reduces motion blur, contributing to a smoother visual experience.
Pakula described the combination of fast response times, high contrast, brightness, and color accuracy as creating a "killer display." Supporting this claim, Apple states the new iPad mini reaches a maximum brightness of 600 nits for standard content, an increase from the previous model's 500 nits. For HDR content, brightness can reach up to 1,200 nits. The OLED technology enables true blacks by turning off individual pixels without a backlight, resulting in a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1.
The device retains a resolution density of 326 pixels per inch and includes P3 wide color support. The new iPad mini is available for pre-order now with U.S. pricing starting at $699, with the official launch scheduled for Friday, November 6.
Sources: MacRumors.