Apple unveiled its new OLED iPad mini on Monday, introducing an 8.5-inch display and a faster A20 Pro processor. The redesigned tablet starts at $699, with preorders opening Oct. 28 and availability beginning Nov. 6.
In its official announcement, Apple highlighted a thinner, lighter design, improved performance, and new AI capabilities. The tablet measures 5.4 mm thick and comes in midnight and starlight finishes. It also introduces IP67-rated water and dust resistance.
OLED iPad mini Brings Brighter Display
The new 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR display uses OLED technology for deeper blacks and improved contrast. Apple reduced the bezels by 24%, letting the tablet keep its size while offering a larger screen.
Peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits, more than double the previous generation. The display also delivers 600 nits of full-screen brightness and a 2 million:1 contrast ratio. An optional nano-texture finish reduces glare in bright environments.
Apple has introduced an Acoustic Display with specially designed woofers for stronger bass and higher volume. The system also includes integrated tweeters for clearer sound.
A20 Pro Chip Improves Performance and AI
The A20 Pro features a six-core CPU and seven-core GPU with Neural Accelerators. Apple claims up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance and 4.5 times faster AI processing than the previous generation. The company says graphics performance improves by up to 2.7 times.
The tablet runs iPadOS 27 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities. Its upgraded Siri AI assistant, rolling out in beta, can use personal context and recognize on-screen information. Users can ask questions, locate information and perform supported tasks across apps.
Other improvements include a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera positioned along the landscape edge. Apple also added Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and a new C2 cellular modem. Cellular data speeds can improve by up to 50%, while fast charging reduces charging time.
iPad mini Pricing and Release Date
The new iPad mini starts at $699 for Wi-Fi and $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) remain compatible. A new TechWoven Smart Folio cover costs $79.
Preorders begin Wednesday, Oct. 28, in 36 countries and regions, including the United States. The tablet reaches Apple stores and authorized retailers Friday, Nov. 6.
