Overview
- Apple opened preorders on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and set the official launch date for the new iPad mini for Nov. 6.
- The iPad mini adds an 8.5‑inch OLED Super Retina XDR screen that reaches up to 1,200 nits, a new A20 Pro chip, a 12MP center FaceTime camera and an IP67 water and dust resistance rating while keeping the same physical footprint by thinning the bezels.
- Pricing starts at $699 for the 128GB model with 256GB and 512GB tiers and an optional nano‑texture glass, representing roughly a $200 increase over the previous model’s launch price.
- Major retailers and carriers including Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, Walmart, Currys, EE and JB Hi‑Fi are taking preorders and offering varied trade‑in discounts, financing plans and limited bundles that can significantly lower the effective cost for buyers.
- The upgrades aim to restore the mini line’s performance and appeal to readers and travelers, but the higher base price makes trade‑ins and monthly payment plans likely to shape holiday buying and retailer competition.