Apple's First Water-Resistant iPad to Launch Later This Year - MacRumors

What the report says

MacRumors reported July 25 that Apple’s next iPad mini is expected to become the first iPad with an official water-resistant design, with a launch now anticipated by October. The report cites Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who previously said Apple was developing a redesigned casing intended to give the small tablet iPhone-like protection for casual use near water, such as in bathrooms or pool areas.

According to MacRumors, current iPad models do not have an official water-resistance rating, and Apple does not present them as safe to get wet. The new iPad mini is said to use a vibration-based speaker system that avoids conventional speaker holes, allowing sound to come from flat parts of the chassis. MacRumors notes that Apple has explored similar ideas before, including a 2014 patent describing panels that vibrate to produce audio. The device’s eventual IP rating, if any, has not been reported.

The change would address a practical advantage held by waterproof e-readers such as the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra Color, which are commonly used near water. MacRumors also reported that the next iPad mini is expected to bring several other upgrades, including an OLED display. ETNews was cited as saying Samsung Display began mass production of OLED panels in June, supporting the reported launch window.

Other rumored changes include a significant processor upgrade. MacRumors said Apple-published code and macOS kernel debug references have pointed to possible A19 Pro or unreleased A20 Pro chips. Apple last updated the iPad mini in October 2024 with the A17 Pro and Apple Intelligence support.