Apple’s first water-resistant iPad could arrive by October

Apple is planning its first water-resistant iPad for release by the end of this year, according to a new report. The model is expected to be a redesigned iPad mini, potentially ending one of the tablet line’s biggest durability gaps compared with the iPhone.

The reported approach differs from the iPhone’s water-resistance design. Apple is said to be developing a “vibration-based speaker system” that transmits sound through the tablet’s chassis. By eliminating physical speaker holes, the design could significantly reduce entry points for water, dust, and other particles.

MacRumors noted that Apple described similar technology in a 2014 patent, suggesting the company has been working on the concept for some time. The new iPad mini’s IP rating—the standard used to measure resistance to dust and liquids—has not been disclosed.

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For comparison, the iPhone 17 carries an IP68 rating, allowing submersion at a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. That does not indicate how the new iPad mini will perform.

iPad mini redesign and pricing

The iPad mini last received a major redesign in 2021. Its most recent refresh came in 2024, when Apple added the A17 Pro chipset, but otherwise left the device unchanged.

Bloomberg’s Apple insider Mark Gurman has previously reported that the next model could receive major upgrades, including an OLED display, which would be a first for the iPad mini. The new tablet is expected to launch by October.

Apple currently sells the base iPad mini for $599, following price increases across its products earlier this year. Gurman has said that adding an OLED display could push the new model’s price even higher.