Apple’s new iPad mini brings an 8.5-inch OLED display, A20 Pro chip and IP67 water and dust resistance. US prices start at $699 for Wi-Fi or $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Pre-orders open October 28, with availability starting November 6.
A larger OLED display in the same footprint
The Super Retina XDR display grows to 8.5 inches without enlarging the previous mini’s footprint. Apple achieves that with 24 percent thinner bezels. Meanwhile, the tablet measures 5.4 mm thick and comes in midnight or starlight.
Peak brightness reaches 1200 nits, which Apple says is more than twice the previous model’s peak. Full-screen brightness reaches 600 nits, while the contrast ratio is 2,000,000:1. For dim rooms, the screen can drop to 1 nit. Apple also offers glare-reducing nano-texture glass. However, that option is limited to the 256GB and 512GB configurations, according to its iPad mini product page.
“With a remarkably thinner and lighter design, a stunning new OLED display, the incredibly powerful A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.”
Dave Pakula, Apple vice president of Hardware Engineering
A20 Pro performance and landscape video calls
A20 Pro uses Apple’s 2-nanometer process and packaging inspired by its M-series chips. Each core of the 7-core GPU includes a Neural Accelerator. Apple reports up to 4.5x faster LLM token generation than the previous iPad mini with A17 Pro. It also claims up to 2.7x faster graphics and up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance. The 512GB model adds a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Meanwhile, the 12MP Center Stage front camera moves to the landscape edge for video calls. The 12MP rear camera adds Smart HDR 4, 4K recording at up to 60 fps and an Adaptive True Tone flash. Apple also introduces Acoustic Display audio, with woofers directing sound through the display and tweeters between the glass and aluminum.
Connectivity, Siri AI and charging conditions
Apple’s N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Cellular models also get the C2 modem and eSIM. Apple claims up to 50 percent faster cellular data than the previous generation.
The tablet runs iPadOS 27, but Siri AI arrives in beta with iPadOS 27.2. It is not currently available in the EU or to users under 13. Apple also cites all-day battery life. Fast charging reaches about 50 percent in around 30 minutes with a compatible adapter.
Storage, accessories and availability
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. US education pricing starts at $649. Accessories cost extra: the TechWoven Smart Folio is $79, Apple Pencil Pro is $129 and Apple Pencil (USB-C) is $79.
The IP67 rating has limits, too. Apple’s controlled tests covered immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. However, resistance is not permanent, and the warranty does not cover liquid damage.
Pre-orders open October 28 through Apple in 36 countries and regions, including the US. Customer arrivals and availability at Apple Stores and authorized resellers begin November 6.
