Apple unveils new iPad Mini with OLED display, A20 Pro chip, and more

Apple has announced its new iPad mini, bringing the tablet’s biggest upgrade in years with an OLED display, a powerful A20 Pro chip, and a thinner, lighter design. The new model also introduces water and dust resistance, improved cameras, and faster connectivity, making it a more capable option for users who want a compact tablet. It starts at $699, with pre-orders opening on October 28.

iPad Mini gets a bigger OLED display

The new iPad mini features an 8.5-inch OLED display, up from the previous model’s 8.3-inch LCD screen.

Apple says the display delivers deeper blacks, richer colors, and peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits, more than double the previous model. A nano-texture glass option is also available on the 256GB and 512GB models for reducing glare in bright environments. The larger screen fits into the same overall footprint thanks to 24% thinner bezels.

The redesigned tablet measures just 5.4mm thick, compared with 6.3mm for its predecessor, and weighs only 255 grams. It also carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, adding durability for everyday use.

A20 Pro chip brings a performance boost

Apple has equipped the new iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip, which includes Neural Accelerators in each GPU core to support demanding tasks and Apple Intelligence features. The tablet runs iPadOS 27, bringing Apple’s latest software capabilities to the compact device.

Other notable upgrades include a 12MP Center Stage front camera positioned along the landscape edge for video calls, fast charging support (up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a compatible adapter), and an Acoustic Display speaker system that hides the speakers beneath the glass and enclosure.

Apple has also upgraded wireless connectivity with its N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Cellular models include the C2 modem, which Apple says delivers up to 50% faster cellular data speeds than the previous model.

New iPad Mini price and release date

The new iPad mini starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model with 128GB of storage, a $100 increase over the previous model’s starting price. The Wi-Fi + Cellular version starts at $849. Buyers have three storage options (128GB, 256GB, and 512GB) and two color choices: Midnight and Starlight.

In India, the new iPad mini is priced from ₹82,900 for the Wi-Fi model and ₹1,00,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

Pre-orders open at 10:10 a.m. PT (1:10 p.m. ET) on October 28, 2026, while the tablet will arrive in stores and begin reaching customers on November 6.

Equipped with an OLED screen, an enhanced processor, and increased durability, the new iPad mini offers a substantial refresh for users who want a powerful, easy-to-carry tablet. However, the higher starting price may make buyers weigh whether the display and performance upgrades justify the additional cost.