Apple has long treated the iPad mini as the small tablet it refreshes whenever it gets the chance. This version adds an OLED display, a larger screen and an IP67 rating, and together those make it the biggest change to the mini in some time.
The tablet goes on sale in select markets on Nov. 6, with preorders opening Oct. 28. US pricing starts at $699 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model.
The screen gets the biggest upgrade
Apple’s new 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR display is an OLED panel, which the company said delivers higher contrast and deeper blacks. It peaks at 1,200 nits.
Buyers can also choose nano-texture glass, which reduces reflections. People who read on a train or next to a bright window should check that option first.
Bigger screens tend to bring bigger devices, yet this body measures 5.4 mm thick. The tablet also carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so it should survive a fall into the pool or a trip in a sandy beach bag.
Apple’s performance claims, with the usual fine print
Inside is the A20 Pro chip. According to Apple, CPU speed is up to 60% faster than the previous generation, and graphics performance is up to 2.7 times higher. Both figures come from Apple, and both lean heavily on the words “up to.”
The tablet supports fast charging as well. Plug it into a compatible power adapter and the battery hits 50% in roughly 30 minutes. That figure depends on an adapter you’ll need to provide.
The camera finally sits in the right place
Older minis had an awkward habit on landscape video calls: you’d end up looking off to the side. Apple has now placed the 12MP front camera on the landscape edge.
Sound has been reworked too, through a new system Apple calls Acoustic Display. Apple didn’t explain how it works.
Wireless upgrades and Apple’s own modem
The tablet supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. On cellular models, 5G comes from Apple’s C2 modem.
Software and accessories
iPadOS 27 comes preinstalled. Both the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C are supported, so owners of either stylus can keep using it.
The new Siri AI is part of the package, though only in English. Anyone running the device in another language will have to wait for it.
If you’ve passed on the last few minis, the OLED panel and the relocated camera are the main reasons to look at this one. Preorders for the 1,200-nit model with the anti-glare finish open Oct. 28, with the 128GB Wi-Fi version starting at $699.