Mini Keeps Iconic Circular Display in New Models
The brand maintains its historical design signature with a modern OLED screen.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Car Types
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Mini continues its legacy of central dashboard design by incorporating a 9.4-inch circular OLED screen into its latest vehicle lineup. This interface, powered by Operating System 9, integrates essential car functions and smartphone connectivity into a singular, iconic layout.
Why it matters
The circular display serves as a vital design link to the company's heritage, preserving brand identity in an era dominated by standardized rectangular screens. By centralizing vehicle controls, the manufacturer balances historical aesthetics with modern digital requirements.
The current system utilizes a 9.4-inch circular OLED screen to house nearly all vehicle information. This continues a tradition of centrally-mounted instrument panels that originated with the brand in 1959.
The players
Mini
An automotive brand originally from the United Kingdom that is now a subsidiary of the German automotive group BMW.
BMW
A multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles that owns the Mini brand.
The details
Operating System 9 facilitates the consolidation of infotainment and vehicle controls into the central unit. Third-party software like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are rendered as smaller windows within the circular interface, while secondary data is projected via the head-up display.
Timeline
1959: Mini began using centrally-mounted instrument panels.
Early 2000s: The first BMW-designed Mini launched.
2014-2023: Mini models featured a conventional rectangular screen.
2023: Mini introduced the current OLED display and Operating System 9.
Roadmap
This design choice marks a departure from the industry-wide trend of fitting standardized, rectangular screens into vehicle interiors. It highlights how the brand utilizes its heritage as a differentiator to maintain market individuality against competitors who favor uniform cabin layouts.
Drivers will navigate nearly all vehicle functions through the central touchscreen rather than traditional physical buttons or rectangular layouts. Users should expect a learning curve for the OS 9 interface while benefiting from the integration of smartphone projection services.
The takeaway
Maintaining unique design elements can strengthen brand loyalty even as underlying technology evolves. Drivers interested in this aesthetic should prioritize testing the interface's usability to ensure the central controls align with their personal driving habits.
Further reading
For more on automotive design trends, visit our Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Drive.
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