Apple unveiled a new iPad Mini featuring a larger 8.5-inch OLED screen, with preorders scheduled to begin on 28 October. The device is priced at $699 for the Wi-Fi-only version and $849 for the model equipped with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Measuring 5.4mm in thickness, the tablet includes bezels that are 24 percent slimmer than previous iterations. Display specifications include a peak brightness of 1200 nits, a 1-nit minimum, and support for 4K resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate.
An upgraded A20 Pro chip powers the hardware, providing a 5-core CPU with 2 super cores and 3 efficiency cores for 128GB or 256GB storage models. The 512GB configuration utilizes a 6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores, while all variants include a 16-core Neural Engine.
Apple stated the device features "specially designed woofers" that are "paired through the display to produce punchier bass and more volume." A 12MP front-facing camera is positioned on the long edge, and the tablet carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
Connectivity is handled by a C2 cellular modem and an N1 networking chip, while the battery supports up to 10 hours of video playback or web browsing on Wi-Fi. Customers can choose between 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations in "midnight" and "starlight" colors, with an optional glare-reducing nano-texture display.
The new model arrives on 6 November, following the 2024 release of the 7th-generation iPad Mini which started at $499 and featured the A17 Pro chip. David Pierce noted that the previous generation felt like "an iPad designed by a supply chain, not by someone who actually wants you to like the product."
