Apple has introduced the new iPad mini with an OLED display and A20 Pro chip. It features an 8.5-inch screen, a thinner body, and for the first time in this series, water and dust resistance rated at IP67. The announcement was made on October 26, with pre-orders starting on October 28 at 10:10 AM Pacific Time, and sales and deliveries beginning on November 6.
New iPad mini with OLED and A20 Pro: Brightness and Performance
The OLED panel can achieve 600 nits for standard content and 1,200 nits for HDR. Compared to its predecessor, it offers higher contrast and more than double the maximum brightness. ProMotion is not mentioned, so the display likely remains at 60 Hz. The nano-textured surface costs an additional $100, but only for the 256 GB and 512 GB models.
The A20 Pro chip is manufactured by TSMC using a two-nanometer process. Apple promises up to 60 percent higher CPU performance, 2.7 times faster graphics, and 4.5 times faster AI capabilities compared to the A17 Pro. The models with 128 GB and 256 GB feature a five-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and a single 16-core Neural Engine. The 512 GB version has a six-core CPU and two 16-core Neural Engines.
Thinner Body and Connectivity
The new iPad mini is 5.4 mm thick, and the Wi-Fi model weighs 0.56 pounds. The previous generation was 6.3 mm thick and weighed 0.65 pounds. According to Thurrott, the bezels have been reduced by 24 percent. The rear camera remains a 12MP wide-angle, while the 12MP Center Stage front camera has been moved to the longer side for landscape video calls.
The N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. The cellular version uses the C2 modem, which Apple claims can speed up data by up to 50 percent. Fast charging provides 50 percent battery in 30 minutes with a 35W adapter. The Acoustic Display sound system features bass speakers connected through the display and tweeters positioned between the glass and aluminum.
Price and Availability
In the USA, the price starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model with 128 GB, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular version is priced at $849. Available colors include Midnight and Starlight. According to Thurrott, the new Smart Folio with two panels costs $79, and the tablet can last up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. According to AppleMagazine, it supports both Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, which are sold separately. According to Punjab Kesari, it runs on iPadOS 27 with Apple Intelligence and Siri features.