Apple has unveiled an upgraded iPad mini, but the enhancements come with a higher price tag.
Apple doesn’t refresh its iPad mini annually, making each update significant in terms of performance. The latest iPad mini features the new 5-core, 2nm A20 Pro SoC, which Apple claims offers graphics performance that’s up to 2.7 times faster and AI processing that’s up to 4.5 times quicker than the previous A17 Pro. The device retains the three storage options from earlier, with the 512GB model adding an extra CPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine.
While both versions support Siri and Apple Intelligence, the A20 Pro is expected to handle demanding AI tasks more efficiently. The former model had 8GB of RAM, and though Apple does not officially disclose memory specifications, the new iPad mini likely comes with 12GB. Battery life claims remain unchanged, but charging speed has improved, reaching 50 percent in just 30 minutes with the right adapter.
On the downside, color choices have been limited to Midnight and Starlight. Additionally, the price has increased by $200; the new iPad mini starts at $699 for the 128GB version. If you opt for cellular capability and a textured glass finish on the 512GB model, you could pay as much as $1,249. The decision on value is yours; let’s delve into this year’s upgrades in Apple’s compact tablet.
Introducing OLED Display for the iPad mini
The most significant upgrade in the new iPad mini is its OLED display, making it the second iPad in Apple’s range to adopt this technology, alongside the iPad Pro. While the resolution remains similar to its predecessor, it can reach a peak brightness of 1,200 nits for HDR. The advantages of OLED mean that the new iPad mini is slimmer at 5.4mm and lighter at 255 grams, likely due to the thinner panel. In contrast, the previous model maxed out at 500 nits and weighed 293 grams with a thickness of 6.3mm.
The updated iPad mini also boasts a slightly larger 8.5-inch display, thanks to 24 percent thinner bezels. A notable downside is the absence of ProMotion technology; many users have expressed frustration over the 60Hz refresh rate in a $700 device as we approach 2026. Nevertheless, Apple’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Dave Pakula, remarked in an interview that “the display experience encompasses more than just one specification,” highlighting OLED’s quicker pixel response time that enhances smoothness.
For those upgrading from an older iPad mini, the display will provide a considerable enhancement, especially beneficial for creative work involving HDR visuals. Support for the Apple Pencil Pro continues, making the new iPad mini a compact canvas ideal for artists and designers seeking color accuracy.
Additional Upgrades
Despite its design similarities, the new iPad mini is Apple’s first water-resistant tablet, achieving an IP67 rating by substituting the conventional speaker grilles with its innovative Acoustic Display system. This setup incorporates tweeters positioned between the glass and aluminum casing, with woofers that deliver sound through the display, resulting in enhanced bass, clearer highs, and increased volume. This tech is comparable to the system found in the Huawei P30 Pro but is specifically designed for a full stereo sound experience on the iPad mini.
Additionally, connectivity has been improved, with updates to Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and the new C2 cellular modem, promising up to 50 percent faster data speeds. The device continues to use the Touch ID-embedded power button for authentication. The front-facing camera has also been repositioned along the longer edge of the tablet for improved usability during landscape video calls.
Running on iPadOS 27, the new iPad mini supports advanced on-device AI capabilities, enhanced dictation features, and customizable Siri response times. Although only the 512GB model includes additional CPU and Neural Engine cores, the 5-core A20 Pro in lower-tier versions still provides a notable performance upgrade over the A17 Pro. With a growing selection of high-profile games like Control and Death Stranding now available on the App Store, the new iPad mini is positioned as a strong contender for mobile gaming enthusiasts.
