iPad mini 2026 OLED screen tested: brighter, more accurate colors

Strengths

The biggest brightness gain is in HDR. The old LCD model had no HDR peak at all and averaged 509 cd/m², which was decent but modest. The new OLED panel reaches 1,153 cd/m² in boost mode and 1,146 cd/m² at HDR peak.

Color accuracy is just as strong. The average delta E 2000 in sRGB, the standard for web content, is 0.9, against 1.6 for the iPad mini 2024. Lower is better, so this is a modest but real improvement.

The larger change is in the P3 color space, used mainly for video. Here the tablet scores an excellent 1.1. The lab has no P3 figure for the 2024 model, but tablet LCD panels are generally not strong in this area, so the result is very satisfying.

The panel itself is also 0.2 inch larger than before. Combined with slimmer borders, the screen-to-body ratio rises to 81.9%, from 77.7% on the previous generation.

Weaknesses

There is one minor flaw. As is usual with Apple, the white balance leans slightly toward cool tones, measuring 6,877 K when the target is 6,500 K. Color drift is nonetheless very low whatever content you watch.

Bottom line

The move to OLED goes well beyond better contrast. The screen is brighter, better calibrated, properly compatible with P3 and slightly bigger with thinner bezels. The lab calls the generational improvement undeniable and the upgrade a welcome one for the iPad mini.