iPad Mini Gets 8.5-Inch OLED Screen and a $699 Starting Price

Apple announced a redesigned iPad Mini on Monday, Oct. 26, with a larger OLED display, a faster chip and water resistance. The Wi-Fi model starts at $699, which Engadget notes is $200 more than the 2024 model cost at launch.

The company unveiled the tablet ahead of its "Pro and Tell" event on Wednesday, according to The Verge and Engadget. PetaPixel reported that Apple calls the device its "biggest update ever."

The key numbers behind the new iPad Mini

• $699 and $849: The Verge reported that the Wi-Fi-only model starts at $699 and the Wi-Fi and cellular model at $849. The seventh-generation model, released in 2024, started at $499, according to The Verge.
• 8.5 inches: The new OLED screen is slightly larger than the 8.3-inch display on the previous model. Apple achieved this with bezels that are 24 percent slimmer, so the footprint stays about the same.
• 1,200 nits: This is the peak brightness, which Engadget and PetaPixel describe as twice that of the previous model. PetaPixel put the older tablet's peak at 600 nits. The screen also has a 1-nit minimum brightness for dim rooms, according to The Verge.
• 5.4 millimeters: PetaPixel reported the new thickness, down from 6.3 millimeters. It also reported that the tablet weighs 263 grams, versus 297 grams for the older model.
• Oct. 28 and Nov. 6: Preorders open Oct. 28, and PetaPixel gave the time as 1:10 p.m. ET (10:10 a.m. PT). The tablet ships Nov. 6.

What is new beyond the screen

The tablet uses Apple's A20 Pro chip, which PetaPixel and Engadget said debuted with the iPhone 18 Pro this year. According to PetaPixel, Apple cites up to 4.5x faster AI performance, up to 2.7x better graphics performance and 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance. The Verge said the chip can run AI models on the device and supports some of Apple's new Siri features, including adjusting the assistant's voice pace and expressiveness.

Apple also introduced what it calls an "Acoustic Display." Engadget and The Verge said woofers are placed to work through the display for stronger bass and more volume, while custom tweeters sit between the glass and the aluminum enclosure for clearer highs.

The tablet has an IP67 rating for dust and water protection. PetaPixel said the previous model had no official rating. The 12MP front camera has moved to the long edge, which makes landscape video calls easier. The rear camera is also 12MP, with 4K video at 60 frames per second, according to Engadget.

For connectivity, Apple's in-house N1 chip supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Cellular models use the new C2 modem, which Engadget said offers 50 percent faster data speeds than the previous modem. The Verge reported battery life of up to 10 hours of video or web browsing on Wi-Fi. The tablet works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, according to PetaPixel.

Reports differ on some chip details. The Verge said all models have a 16-core Neural Engine and that the 512GB model has a six-core CPU, compared with five cores on the 128GB and 256GB versions. PetaPixel said the 512GB model has a dual 16-core Neural Engine.

What this means for buyers

The new model costs noticeably more than its predecessor, and the price climbs with options. PetaPixel reported that the 128GB Wi-Fi model is $699, the 256GB version $799 and the 512GB version $999. The nano-texture glare-reducing display is offered only on the 256GB and 512GB models and adds $100. Cellular configurations add $150.

The tablet comes in midnight and starlight, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage. The Verge noted that the screen still runs at 60Hz and lacks Apple's ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling. The Verge also said the 2024 model drew criticism in its review for being mainly a spec update. Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering, Dave Pakula, said in the company's announcement that the iPad Mini is used by creators, small business owners, doctors, field service workers and gamers.

What happens next

Preorders begin Oct. 28, and the first deliveries are set for Nov. 6. The Verge reported that more Apple launches could come this week, with a touchscreen MacBook Pro, an M6 MacBook Pro and an iMac among the rumored products. Apple has not confirmed them.

Around Prague, based on reporting by The Verge, PetaPixel, Engadget