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The new iPad mini gets an OLED screen, a faster chip, and a higher price. Apple announced it Monday, October 26, with U.S. pricing starting at $699 for the Wi-Fi model, Apple said. Pre-orders open Wednesday, October 28, and the tablet arrives Friday, November 6.
That is a big jump from the last mini’s $499 starting price in October 2024, Techaeris noted. The extra money buys a larger screen, a new chip, and a tougher body.
What’s New in the New iPad Mini
What is different about the display?
The screen is an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel. Apple says peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits, more than double the old model, and contrast is 2,000,000:1. The bezels are 24% thinner, but the footprint matches the previous mini. An optional nano-texture finish cuts glare.
How fast is the A20 Pro chip?
The A20 Pro is built on a 2-nanometer process. Apple claims up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance, up to 2.7 times faster graphics, and up to 4.5 times faster AI performance than the previous generation. Those are the company’s own figures, so independent tests will matter.
What else changed on the new iPad mini?
The tablet is 5.4 millimeters thin and carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, a first for the mini. Colors are midnight (new) and starlight. The 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera moved to the landscape edge, and the back camera shoots 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. Apple’s N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and cellular models use the C2 modem. It ships with iPadOS 27.
What does the new iPad mini cost?
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The Wi-Fi model starts at $699, the Wi-Fi and Cellular model at $849, and education pricing begins at $649. Apple Pencil Pro costs $129, the USB-C Apple Pencil costs $79, and the Smart Folio costs $79.
Editor’s Take
Apple calls this the biggest update the mini has ever had, and the spec sheet backs that up. The screen, chip, and water resistance all move the new iPad mini closer to a premium tablet. The price moves with them, and a $200 jump gives many owners of older minis pause.
Apple gave no battery life figure in its announcement. Wait for reviews before ordering the new iPad mini if that matters to you. The rollout also lands in a busy week, since Apple has teased more launches. For more on the company’s fall hardware, see our look at the $1,999 iPhone Duo.
