Overview
- Apple announced the new iPad mini on Monday and set U.S. preorders to begin Oct. 28 with general sales on Nov. 6, priced from $699 for Wi‑Fi and $849 for cellular.
- The device replaces the previous panel with an 8.5‑inch Super Retina XDR OLED that reaches up to 1,200 nits and offers an optional nanotexture to cut reflections.
- Apple fitted the tablet with the A20 Pro built on a 2‑nanometer process and published company figures claiming up to 4.5× faster AI, 2.7× better graphics, and 60% faster multicore CPU performance versus the prior mini.
- The iPad mini ships with iPadOS 27 and the next generation of Apple Intelligence, including a Siri AI that will arrive in beta and that Apple says uses local processing plus Private Cloud Compute to limit data exposure.
- Some reported additions such as fast charging, an acoustic display and specific regional pricing remain unconfirmed and Apple also confirmed support for Wi‑Fi 7, a newer modem for faster cellular speeds, Apple Pencil Pro compatibility and a $79 Smart Folio.