Apple is reportedly building its next iPad mini with a water‑resistant design, a first for the iPad family. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the tablet is slated for an October release, giving it a potential IP rating similar to the iPhone’s IP68 spec. The move would allow users to enjoy the device in wet settings such as bathrooms or pool areas without worry.

To achieve this, Apple has engineered a vibration‑based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker grilles, turning flat chassis panels into diaphragm speakers. This approach blocks one of the main ingress points for water and dust, differing from the iPhone’s gasket‑sealed openings.

The new mini will also adopt an 8.4‑inch OLED LTPS panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate, the second iPad line to use OLED after the Pro. A major processor leap is expected, with the rumored A20 Pro chip replacing the current A17 Pro. Pricing may start at $599, potentially $100 higher with OLED.

While Apple has not confirmed an official IP rating, the design suggests a standard comparable to the iPhone’s submersion tolerance. Samsung Display’s mass production of OLED panels for the device supports a solid October launch, marking a significant change for the iPad mini line.