Next iPad Mini to Get Apple's Most Powerful iPhone Chip

Apple's next iPad mini will be powered by the A19 Pro chip set to be used in Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models, according to code accidentally leaked by the company.

The upcoming tablet, codenamed J510/J511, should be a major performance jump over the current iPad mini's A17 Pro processor, which debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Apple typically reserves its most advanced silicon for flagship iPhones before trickling down to other devices, so this will be an impressive upgrade for the compact tablet.

The A19 Pro will feature more GPU cores than the standard A19 chip planned for base iPhone 17 models. Apple is also developing a "binned" version with one fewer GPU core, potentially for the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

We have no information on an official release timeline for the next-generation iPad mini, but speculation points to a spring 2026 launch at the earliest. The device could also boast an OLED display, delivering superior color accuracy and contrast compared to current LED technology. Some reports suggest the OLED transition might not arrive until 2027, however.

Apple is simultaneously working on an updated entry-level iPad featuring the A18 chip, which could launch next spring.