Apple Unveils New iPad Mini Featuring 8.5-Inch OLED Display and A20 Pro Chip

Image: A light-coloured tablet is shown in profile, displaying a screen with abstract orange and pink curved light shapes. The back of the device features a circular camera lens and a small flash, set against a plain white background. · Source

Apple announces the latest iPad Mini with an 8.5-inch OLED screen, A20 Pro processor, improved speakers, and advanced wireless connectivity, launching in early November.

Apple has announced an updated version of its iPad Mini, continuing its series of device releases. The new model will be available for purchase starting in early November, with reservations opening on October 28 in Spain and retail availability from November 6.

The updated iPad Mini features an 8.5-inch OLED display offering double the maximum brightness of previous generations. It is powered by Apple's A20 Pro chip, which the company states enhances artificial intelligence-related processing tasks. It runs on iPadOS 27 and supports the latest versions of Apple Intelligence and Siri, enabling personalized user responses.

In terms of design, the device measures approximately 195.3 by 132.6 mm with a slim profile of 5.4 mm thickness. It comes in two color options: Midnight Blue and Star Blue. Storage variants include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models.

Apple improved the audio experience by including enhanced speakers with custom tweeters, delivering more powerful bass and higher volume. The tablet incorporates two 12MP cameras: one positioned at the horizontal edge geared toward video recording, and another rear-facing camera for both photography and video.

Wireless connectivity is also upgraded with Apple's N1 wireless chip supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, the latter being a low-power, secure mesh networking protocol designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The device has an IP67 rating, offering water and dust resistance.

Pricing in Spain starts at 749 euros for the Wi-Fi-only version and 919 euros for the cellular-enabled model, with educational discounts available. In the U.S., prices begin at $699 and $849, respectively.

Dave Pakula, Apple's Vice President of Hardware Engineering, highlighted the previous iPad Mini's popularity among creators, small business owners, medical professionals, field service workers, and gamers, suggesting the new model aims to continue catering to these user groups.

This launch represents Apple's commitment to enhancing portability, performance, and connectivity in its compact tablet lineup.