Apple announced a redesigned iPad mini on Monday, introducing an 8.5-inch OLED display, its A20 Pro chip and improved connectivity in a thinner, lighter design.
The company describes the release as the biggest update to its compact tablet, which retains the same overall footprint despite its larger screen.
The new model measures 5.4 millimeters thick and comes in midnight and starlight finishes. Its display features 24% thinner bezels than the previous generation, along with OLED technology for deeper blacks and more vivid colors.
Apple also offers an optional nano-texture display designed to reduce glare in bright environments.
The Super Retina XDR display reaches peak brightness of 1,200 nits, more than twice that of its predecessor, according to Apple.
READ: Apple raises Mac and iPad prices globally (June 25, 2026)
It also supports full-screen brightness of 600 nits and a minimum brightness of 1 nit. The screen has a 2 million-to-1 contrast ratio.
The tablet carries an IP67 rating for splash, water and dust resistance under controlled laboratory conditions.
Apple notes that resistance can diminish with normal wear and that liquid damage is not covered under its warranty.
The A20 Pro chip is built using a 2-nanometer process and includes a seven-core graphics processing unit with Neural Accelerators in each GPU core.
Apple says the chip delivers up to 4.5 times faster artificial intelligence performance and up to 2.7 times faster graphics performance than the previous generation.
The processor also provides up to 60% faster multithreaded performance, according to the company. The 512-gigabyte configuration includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says doubles processing power for relevant AI workloads compared with the previous model.
Cameras and connectivity receive upgrades
The new iPad mini features a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera positioned along the landscape edge for video calls and conferencing.
Its 12-megapixel rear camera supports Smart HDR 4 and 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, with an Adaptive True Tone flash is designed to improve photography and document scanning.
READ: Apple briefly becomes second company ever to reach $5 trillion market value (July 28, 2026)
Apple has also introduced an Acoustic Display system, which integrates specially designed audio components into the tablet’s construction. The company says the system improves bass response, volume and high-frequency clarity.
Connectivity upgrades include Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
Cellular models use the C2 modem, which Apple says enables data speeds up to 50% faster than the previous generation.
The tablet runs iPadOS 27, bringing updated multitasking features and the next generation of Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s new Siri AI experience, rolling out in beta, is designed to use personal context and on-screen awareness to help users complete tasks and find information.
The device supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). A redesigned Smart Folio, available in navy blue and taupe, provides adjustable viewing angles.
Preorders are said to begin from Wednesday, Oct. 28, with availability starting Nov. 6. In the United States, prices start at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version, Apple said.