A next-generation iPad mini that Apple is expected to unveil this month could see a steep price rise from the current model, a forecast has said.

On Oct. 11 local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the new iPad mini would be "significantly more expensive" than the current model. He raised the possibility that its price could move close to $799, about 1,067,100 won.

The iPad mini currently sells for $599, about 799,900 won, for the base 128GB model. If the new model is priced from $799, it would be $200, about 270,000 won, higher than the current model. That would be above the starting price of the 11-inch iPad Air in Apple's current lineup. The base storage capacity could increase, but the larger price hike could raise the burden for consumers considering a purchase.

Hardware upgrades are cited as a reason for the price increase. The new iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display for the first time. A new body design with slimmer bezels is also expected. The speaker system is expected to improve, and chip performance is also seen rising sharply. There is also speculation it will use an A20 Pro chip, the same as in Apple's premium iPhone 18 Pro model.

Details of the display specifications remain unclear. It has not been confirmed whether the OLED panel will be technically on par with the industry-leading tandem OLED used in the iPad Pro. Forecasts also diverge on whether it will include the ProMotion feature, which supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz.

The new iPad mini is expected to be unveiled at a media event later this month alongside new OLED MacBook Pro models. Ahead of that, Apple is set to hold a "Welcome Home" event on Oct. 13 and announce a new smart home strategy. It is also expected to include Apple's first smart home display product.

The new iPad mini could be positioned at a higher price point on the back of an OLED display and performance improvements. The degree of differentiation from the current model is expected to depend on the actual price and display specifications.