Overview
- Apple announced the new iPad mini on Monday, Oct. 26, and said preorders start Oct. 28 with retail shipments beginning Nov. 6.
- The eighth‑generation model gains an 8.5‑inch OLED panel rated up to 1,200 nits peak HDR and an optional matte Nanotexture glass for an extra charge.
- Performance is driven by the A20/A20 Pro family with Apple’s claimed gains of up to 60% higher multithread CPU speed, 2.7× faster graphics and 4.5× better AI throughput versus the prior mini.
- Apple kept key Pro differentiators off the mini: the display stays at 60 Hz (no ProMotion) and biometric unlock remains Touch ID, while the device adds IP67 protection, N1 wireless (Wi‑Fi 7/Bluetooth 6/Thread) and C2 cellular for cellular models.
- The base Wi‑Fi 128 GB model starts at €749 and high‑end configurations with 512 GB and Nanotexture glass approach €1,430, a pricing move that narrows the gap to iPad Air and could shift buyer expectations about the mini’s role in Apple’s lineup.