Apple has unveiled the new iPad mini, featuring an OLED display, a thinner and lighter design, and the A20 Pro chip. The device also adds water and dust resistance. Apple describes it as the most capable and versatile iPad mini ever.

The larger 8.5-inch OLED display is also available with a nano-texture option. It delivers higher contrast and more than 2x higher peak brightness than the previous-generation iPad mini. A20 Pro adds Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

The device also gets a 12MP Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge. It adds an Acoustic Display, faster wireless and cellular connectivity, and fast-charge support. Customers can order it starting Wednesday, October 28, with availability beginning November 6.

Apple also introduced a Smart Folio crafted with TechWoven fabric in navy blue and taupe. It complements the midnight and starlight finishes of iPad mini.

“iPad mini is beloved for its fantastic portability, performance, and display by a wide range of users, from creators and small business owners to doctors, field service workers, and gamers,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering.

He added: “With a remarkably thinner and lighter design, a stunning new OLED display, the incredibly powerful A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.”

Thinner and Lighter Design

The device is 5.4 mm thin. It is available in two finishes: a new midnight and starlight.

It is remarkably thinner and lighter than the previous generation. This makes it easier to carry while reading, working on the go, or using it with one hand.

iPad mini also features an IP67 rating for water and dust protection. Apple points to uses such as working outside on a rainy day or reading by the pool.

OLED Display With Higher Brightness

The OLED display measures 8.5 inches. It keeps the same footprint as the previous mini, thanks to 24 percent thinner bezels.

The Super Retina XDR display offers pixel-level lighting control for much deeper blacks. It supports the P3 wide color gamut for more vivid and accurate imagery.

Peak brightness reaches up to 1200 nits, more than 2x higher than the previous generation. The display also supports 600 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR content. Its contrast ratio is 2,000,000:1.

The minimum brightness is 1 nit. That makes it more suitable for dim environments, from reading in bed at night to pilots checking an electronic flight bag in the cockpit.

The new nano-texture option reduces glare in bright environments. Apple says users already love this feature on iPad Pro. It suits creatives editing outdoors and technicians working in the field.

A20 Pro Boosts Performance and AI

A20 Pro is built using Apple’s latest 2-nanometer process technology. It uses a new package inspired by M-series chips.

Its 7-core GPU includes Neural Accelerators in each core. As a result, iPad mini delivers up to 4.5x faster AI performance than the previous generation. This covers tasks from running on-device models in creative apps to running local LLMs.

Graphics performance jumps by up to 2.7x. The latest graphics architecture includes dynamic caching and hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. Apple says this suits gaming and 3D rendering.

The chip also features up to a 6-core CPU. This delivers up to 60 percent faster multithreaded performance for tasks like editing photos and working across apps.

The 512GB configuration features a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. It offers double the processing power of the previous generation. It accelerates tasks in apps like Draw Things and Detail. By engaging all 32 cores, A20 Pro can handle more advanced on-device AI workloads.

A20 Pro also brings over a 2x increase in unified memory bandwidth. This adds performance for graphics and AI-intensive workloads.

Testing was conducted by Apple in September 2026. More information is available at apple.comaeipad-mini.

Acoustic Display and Cameras

The Acoustic Display is designed for gaming, watching videos, and editing content. Specially designed woofers are paired through the display. They produce punchier bass and more volume.

Custom tweeters are hidden between the glass and the aluminum enclosure for clearer highs. The display also has a sealed enclosure, which helps iPad mini achieve its IP67 rating.

The 12MP Center Stage front camera suits FaceTime calls, video conferencing, and collaboration. The 12MP Wide back camera captures photos with Smart HDR 4 and 4K video at up to 60 fps. An Adaptive True Tone flash improves photos and document scanning.

N1 and C2 Improve Connectivity

iPad mini now features N1, an Apple-designed wireless networking chip. It enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. N1 brings better performance on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. It also improves the performance and reliability of features like AirDrop and AirPlay.

Cellular models feature C2, Apple’s next-generation cellular modem system. C2 enables up to 50 percent faster cellular data speeds than the previous generation, with greater power efficiency. A data plan is required. 5G is available in select markets and through select carriers. For details, see apple.comaeipadcellular.

With iPadOS 27, moving between cellular and Wi-Fi networks is more seamless. Users can stay connected on a FaceTime call while in transit. eSIM support lets users add a new plan or transfer existing plans digitally. Not all carriers support eSIM.

iPadOS 27 Capabilities

iPadOS 27 makes iPad more responsive, reliable, and easy to use. It also updates Liquid Glass. A new slider in Settings lets users adjust it from ultraclear to fully tinted.

With iPadOS 27.2, iPad mini supports extended display mode when connected to an external display. This helps users multitasking with windowed apps.

Parents also get tools to manage what their kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they have access to apps. Apple has a website with details on these tools and how to get started.

Accessories

The new Smart Folio has a two-panel architecture. It is a slim, lightweight cover that attaches magnetically. Its adjustable design offers a greater range of motion, including new viewing angles. Accessories are sold separately.

iPad mini supports both Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro. Apple Pencil (USB-C) suits everyday tasks like note-taking and sketching. Apple Pencil Pro adds features like squeeze and barrel roll, along with Find My support.

Environmental Details

iPad mini supports Apple’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. It is made with 35 percent recycled content overall. This includes 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery.

It is manufactured with 40 percent renewable energy, such as wind and solar, across the supply chain. It is designed to be durable and repairable. It meets Apple’s standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. Its paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and designed to be recycled.

Pricing and Availability

Customers can pre-order from Wednesday, October 28, at apple.com/ae and in the Apple Store app in 36 countries and regions, including the U.S. Deliveries and in-store availability at Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers begin Friday, November 6.

The new iPad mini comes in midnight and starlight, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations.

• iPad mini starts at AED 2849 for the Wi-Fi model and AED 3449 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
• With education savings, it starts at AED 2649.
• The TechWoven Smart Folio, in navy blue and taupe, costs AED 339.
• Apple Pencil Pro costs AED 529, or AED 499 with education savings.
• Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs AED 319, or AED 279 with education savings.

AppleCare+ covers the new iPad. In available markets, AppleCare One protects multiple products in one plan. Both include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and priority support. In the U.S., AppleCare One Family extends coverage to every eligible device across an Apple Family Sharing group for one fixed monthly price. More information is at apple.comaeapplecare.

Customers can also trade in their current iPad for credit toward a new one. They can do this through the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. Values and terms are at apple.comaeshoptrade-in. Trade-in values vary by condition, year, and configuration.

A Closer Look at the Launch

With an OLED display, A20 Pro, and IP67 protection, the new iPad mini marks a major update to Apple’s smallest iPad. Pre-orders open on October 28.

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