Overview
- Apple unveiled the new iPad mini on Monday, Oct. 26, set pre-orders to start Oct. 28 and U.S. retail availability for Nov. 6 with a 128GB Wi‑Fi model starting at $699.
- The device moves to an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with up to 1,200 nits peak brightness, 24 percent thinner bezels, and a 60Hz refresh rate rather than Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion.
- Apple ships the A20 Pro chip but splits its performance by storage tier: 128GB/256GB models use a 5‑core CPU, while the 512GB model adds a sixth efficiency core and a dual 16‑core Neural Engine for heavier AI workloads.
- Hardware changes include the first IP67 water and dust rating for an iPad, a sealed ‘Acoustic Display’ speaker system that hides tweeters and couples woofers to the panel, Wi‑Fi 7 via the N1 chip, and a landscape‑edge 12MP Center Stage front camera.
- Pricing and options cut two finishes to Midnight and Starlight, limit nano‑texture glass to higher tiers for an extra $100, and position the mini as a compact, AI‑capable tablet that sits between recent iPads and Apple’s phone line.