Apple has redesigned the iPad mini around an 8.5-inch OLED display and a new A20 Pro chip. The tablet starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 with cellular, up from $599 for the previous A17 Pro version after a price increase in June. Preorders opened October 28, and the device is available November 6.
It comes in midnight and starlight finishes, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage. The nano-texture display option adds $100 and is available on the 256GB and 512GB models.
The 8.5-inch OLED display reaches 1,200 nits of brightness and carries a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, which Apple says delivers deeper blacks than the LCD panel it replaces. The nano-texture finish, previously a feature of larger Apple displays, cuts glare for people who use the tablet outdoors or under bright lights.
The body is 5.4 millimeters thick and weighs 255 grams for the Wi-Fi version and 263 grams for the cellular model. It is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.
The A20 Pro is Apple’s newest tablet processor. Compared with the A17 Pro, Apple claims up to 4.5 times faster AI performance, 2.7 times faster graphics and 60 percent faster multithreaded performance. The company has not detailed how those numbers were measured.
Connectivity comes from Apple’s own silicon. The N1 chip handles Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, and the C2 modem powers the cellular models. Cellular service is eSIM only, so there is no physical SIM tray.
The front camera is a 12-megapixel Center Stage unit placed on the landscape edge, so video calls stay centered when the tablet is propped horizontally. The mini supports the Apple Pencil Pro at $129 and the USB-C Apple Pencil at $79.
The increase is the story many buyers will notice. The A17 Pro model now sells for $599 after the June increase, and the new model sits $100 above that. For the extra money, buyers get an OLED panel, a much faster chip and an IP67 rating. Whether that justifies the jump depends on how people use a small tablet, which is often as a reader, a note-taker or a travel companion.
Storage tiers matter here as well. The $699 entry model offers 128GB, and the nano-texture display requires stepping up to at least 256GB, which pushes the effective price of the glare-reducing screen higher than its $100 line item suggests.
The mini has always been the most portable iPad, and adding OLED makes it more of a premium companion than a budget pick. Apple’s emphasis on AI performance also reflects the direction of its software, since faster neural processing helps with on-device features. Small tablets appeal to people who want a screen that fits in a bag or a large pocket.
The Thread radio in the N1 chip is a quiet addition. It lets the tablet take part in smart home networks alongside other Thread devices, and combined with Wi-Fi 7 it points to the mini serving as a home control surface as well as a media device.
Apple’s own silicon now covers nearly every layer of the device. The A20 Pro handles computing, the N1 handles wireless and the C2 handles cellular, which gives the company tighter control over power use and feature timing. Apple has not published battery life figures in the material reviewed here, so how those chips affect endurance remains to be seen.
The display change also affects how the tablet is used. With 1,200 nits of peak brightness and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, video and photos should look closer to what Apple’s larger devices show, and the nano-texture option gives artists and note-takers a finish that cuts reflections. The extra $100 will be easier to justify for people who work near windows or under bright lights.
The eSIM-only approach follows Apple’s recent direction, and it simplifies the hardware. It also means buyers who rely on a physical SIM, or who travel and swap local cards, need a carrier that supports eSIM activation. Checking support before ordering the $849 cellular model is sensible.
Accessories round out the package. The Apple Pencil Pro at $129 and the USB-C Apple Pencil at $79 give buyers a choice between a full-featured stylus and a cheaper option for basic note-taking. Counting the tablet, a Pencil Pro and the nano-texture upgrade, a well-equipped mini climbs well past $900, a figure worth weighing against larger iPads.
Apple opened preorders on October 28, and the iPad mini reaches customers November 6. Buyers choosing between storage sizes and cellular options should weigh the eSIM requirement, which depends on carrier support in their area. Independent reviews are expected to test the display, battery life and the claimed performance gains once units ship. For buyers who already own an earlier mini, the OLED panel, the A20 Pro and the IP67 rating are the three changes most likely to decide whether the upgrade is worth the extra $100 over the current A17 Pro model.
Leave a Reply