Apple Unveils New iPad Mini with 8.5-inch OLED Display, A20 Pro Chip
Apple has announced a new iPad Mini featuring a larger 8.5-inch OLED display. The company revealed the device just days before its "Pro and tell" event scheduled for Wednesday. Pricing for the new iPad Mini starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi-only model, increasing to $849 for the Wi-Fi and cellular version, as confirmed by Engadget.
The updated iPad Mini boasts a thinner and lighter design than its predecessor, measuring 5.4mm thick. It incorporates bezels that are 24 percent slimmer, allowing the device to maintain its small form factor while accommodating a display slightly larger than the previous generation's 8.3-inch screen. The display offers a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits and a 1-nit minimum brightness, designed to enhance eye comfort in dim lighting conditions.
Beyond the OLED display, the new iPad Mini features an upgraded A20 Pro chip, also noted by Engadget. This processor enables support for some of Apple’s new Siri AI features, including the ability to customize the expressiveness and pace of the assistant’s voice. The 12MP front-facing camera has been repositioned to the long edge of the device, optimizing it for video calls in landscape orientation. Additionally, the new model carries an IP67 rating, providing protection against water and dust.
This release follows Apple’s 7th-generation iPad Mini, which launched in 2024, three years after the 6th-generation model in 2021. The 7th-generation version, priced from $499, primarily offered a spec bump with an A17 Pro chip, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and an upgrade to 128GB base storage. David Pierce, in his review for The Verge, described the 7th-gen model as a "new low for the product" that "feels like an iPad designed by a supply chain, not by someone who actually wants you to like the product."
Preorders for the new iPad Mini commence on Wednesday, October 28th, with general availability scheduled for November 6th. The device will be offered in "midnight" and "starlight" colors, with an optional nano-texture display. This launch precedes a string of other rumored product introductions expected this week, which could include a touchscreen MacBook Pro, along with M6-equipped MacBook Pro and iMac models.
Editor's note: Thoroughly utilizes the source details on the new iPad Mini release, capturing technical specs and pricing accurately.