Apple Launches New iPad mini Featuring OLED Display and A20 Pro Chip

Image: Image Credits:Apple · Source

Apple introduces its thinnest and lightest iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED screen, the A20 Pro chip, enhanced AI, and improved connectivity, available November 6 starting at $699.

Apple has unveiled the latest version of its iPad mini, marking the largest update to the compact tablet line with significant advancements in display technology, processing power, and wireless connectivity. The new iPad mini boasts a larger 8.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, delivering richer contrast, deeper blacks, and up to 1,200 nits peak brightness—over twice that of the previous generation. Despite the larger screen, the device maintains the same footprint by reducing bezel size by 24%, resulting in a thinner and lighter form factor at just 5.4 mm thick.

Under the hood, the device is powered by Apple's A20 Pro chip, which integrates a 7-core GPU featuring Neural Accelerators in each core, alongside a dual 16-core Neural Engine in the highest-capacity model. This setup provides up to 4.5 times faster artificial intelligence performance and 2.7 times faster graphics rendering compared to its predecessor. The 6-core CPU also delivers up to 60% faster multithreaded processing, enhancing everyday tasks like photo editing and multitasking.

The iPad mini introduces several new hardware features to improve user experience. It includes a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera positioned on the landscape edge for better video calls, a 12-megapixel wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 and 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, and an innovative Acoustic Display. The Acoustic Display incorporates specially designed woofers and hidden tweeters under the glass to enrich sound quality with deeper bass and higher volume.

Connectivity sees a notable boost with the addition of Apple's N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, alongside the C2 cellular modem system in cellular models, delivering up to 50% faster data speeds with improved power efficiency. The new iPad mini also supports fast charging and offers an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.

Powered by iPadOS 27, the tablet integrates next-generation Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, which leverages personal context and on-device processing to provide highly personalized assistance and enhanced privacy protection. The operating system adds new features including advanced image editing tools, enhanced Safari notifications, and parental controls.

Apple offers the new iPad mini in midnight and starlight finishes with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Pricing starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. Pre-orders begin October 28, with availability starting November 6 in 36 countries and regions, including the United States. The new Smart Folio accessory in navy blue and taupe and Apple Pencil options are compatible with the device, providing increased productivity and creativity features.

This redesign emphasizes portability, power, and versatility in Apple's smallest iPad, making it suitable for a wide array of users including creators, professionals, and casual users who prioritize performance in a compact device.