What changed
Apple announced an updated eighth-generation iPad mini starting at $699.
The new tablet keeps roughly the same footprint but adds an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip, IP67 water and dust protection, and a front camera moved to the long edge. It is 5.4mm thick, with bezels reduced by 24 percent.
The lineup:
- $699: 128GB, Wi-Fi
- $799: 256GB
- $999: 512GB
- From $849: 128GB cellular
- $100: nano-texture display upgrade, available on 256GB and 512GB models
Preorders open October 28, 2026, at 10:10 a.m. Pacific time. Devices arrive November 6.
Why it matters
The iPad mini is getting a much more serious screen and processor, but Apple is also asking buyers to pay for the privilege. The previous generation launched at $499 in 2024 and later rose to $599. This model starts another $100 higher.
The OLED panel is the clearest everyday change. It reaches 1,200 nits, compared with 500 nits on the previous mini, and can dim to 1 nit in a dark room. That should make the small tablet more convincing for bright environments and late-night use. The nano-textured option may appeal to people who dislike reflections, though it is limited to the two larger storage tiers.
The A20 Pro chip also changes the mini’s position inside Apple’s lineup. The 512GB model gets a dual 16-core Neural Engine, while the 128GB and 256GB versions use a single 16-core NPU and a five-core CPU configuration instead of six. Buyers are therefore choosing different processing capabilities, not simply different storage sizes.
That distinction matters most for on-device AI and demanding graphics work. The tablet has the hardware for a substantial performance step, but independent testing of performance, battery life and display quality is not yet available. The relocated front camera should improve landscape video calls, although anyone accustomed to portrait-oriented calls may need to adjust.
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