Apple yesterday officially launched what it describes as “the biggest update ever” to the iPad mini, featuring an OLED screen and a thinner, lighter design.
However, while there are a significant number of upgrades, internet commentators were very focused on the one thing Apple didn’t upgrade: that 60Hz display …
Apple highlighted the new features.
Commenters, however, were quick to point to the fact that the refresh rate wasn’t mentioned, with the obvious conclusion that it remains 60Hz instead of being updated to a ProMotion variable refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz.
I could include many more quotes, but you get the idea. It’s certainly a surprising omission in a 2026 device, especially when our sister site 9to5Google noted that the closest Android competitor has a 185Hz refresh rate.
Now I fully acknowledge that Apple knows the iPad mini market better than any of us do. I’m also aware that it has historically been primarily a business device, used for applications ranging from restaurant waitstaff relaying orders to the kitchen through mobile payment terminals to warehouse inventory systems. None of these types of applications would remotely benefit from a display with a faster refresh rate.
Additionally, when it comes to consumers, I’m sure it’s true that not everyone appreciates the benefits of 120Hz. Some of those in our comments claimed they couldn’t tell the difference, while others said it was only really relevant to gaming. Adding that category of individual purchasers to the majority business market, and Apple has undoubtedly correctly concluded that the majority of its customers simply don’t care about this feature.
However … Those who do care about it, care about it rather a lot. I don’t know what the unit cost difference would be, but since 120Hz is now standard on a great many cheaper devices, I can’t imagine it’s a substantial one. I can’t help feeling that this is a case where Apple simply should have done the right thing, even if only a minority of buyers would appreciate it.
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