The iPad mini just got better

Apple today unveiled the new iPad mini, featuring an OLED display, a slimmer and lighter design, improved ingress protection, and the A20 Pro chip, which delivers a significant boost in performance.

The new iPad mini is equipped with an 8.5-inch OLED display—larger than in previous generations—yet the device retains the same dimensions as its predecessor, thanks to bezels that are 24% thinner. The Super Retina XDR display utilizes OLED technology, allowing for pixel-level light control that results in much deeper blacks. Meanwhile, the P3 wide color gamut ensures that images are more vivid and color-accurate. The display—also available in an optional nano-texture version (which reduces glare in bright light)—offers higher contrast and more than double the peak brightness of the previous-generation iPad mini. With a peak brightness of 1,200 nits—more than twice that of the previous generation—along with 600 nits of full-screen brightness for both SDR and HDR content and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the iPad mini provides an enhanced visual experience across various lighting conditions. Furthermore, with a minimum brightness of just 1 nit, the iPad mini is even better suited for use in low-light environments. This will be appreciated by everyone from those reading in bed at night to pilots using electronic flight bag systems in the cockpit. iPad mini works with Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and Apple Pencil Pro.

The A20 Pro chip delivers a noticeable boost in iPad mini’s performance, significantly enhancing its graphics capabilities and AI-driven task processing. It is manufactured using a cutting-edge 2-nanometer process and features a new architecture designed with M-series chips in mind. Powered by a 7-core GPU with integrated Neural Accelerators in each core, iPad mini offers up to 4.5x better performance for AI tools compared to the previous generation. It excels at AI-based tasks—from running local models in creative apps to utilizing LLMs. Furthermore, the latest graphics architecture—incorporating Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing—delivers up to 2.7x higher graphics performance for gaming and 3D content rendering. The A20 Pro also features a 6-core CPU, providing up to 60 percent faster multi-threaded performance for everyday tasks, such as photo editing or multitasking across several apps. The model with 512 GB of storage includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine system, which doubles the computational power of the previous generation and accelerates tasks in applications like Draw Things and Detail. The A20 Pro utilizes all 32 cores, enabling it to easily handle more advanced AI processes directly on the device. It also delivers more than double the unified RAM bandwidth, allowing for an even higher level of functionality and responsiveness when performing AI-driven or GPU-intensive tasks.

The iPad mini features the N1—a chip designed by Apple for wireless connectivity—supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The N1 chip delivers superior performance when using 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks and enhances the efficiency and reliability of features like AirDrop and AirPlay. Cellular models of the iPad mini are equipped with Apple’s latest C2 cellular modem. It provides up to 50 percent faster cellular data speeds compared to the previous-generation iPad mini, while offering even greater energy efficiency. Users can also take advantage of eSIM technology, which allows them to quickly and securely add a new data plan, or activate or transfer an existing one, ensuring they stay connected even when Wi-Fi is unavailable.

The new iPad mini features an "Acoustic Display," which provides an enhanced audio experience for gaming, watching movies, and content editing. Specially designed woofers work in tandem with the display to deliver deep bass and increased volume, while tweeters—concealed between the glass and the aluminum enclosure—produce clearer, crisper high frequencies. The Acoustic Display is protected by the iPad mini’s hermetically sealed enclosure, which carries an IP67 rating. The 12 MP front-facing Center Stage camera, positioned along the longer side, is ideal for FaceTime calls, video conferences, and collaborative work. Meanwhile, the 12 MP wide-angle rear camera captures photos using Smart HDR 4 and records 4K video at up to 60 fps.

The new iPad mini is just 5.4 mm thick, making it even more portable. It is available in two colors: Midnight and Starlight. With a noticeably thinner and lighter design than the previous generation, the iPad mini is even more portable—whether you’re reading, working on the go, or using it one-handed. The iPad mini will be available in Midnight and Starlight, with storage capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB. The A20 Pro iPad mini starts at $699 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model and $849 for the 128GB Cellular model.