Apple Updates iPad mini with A20 Pro and OLED Display
Apple has announced its largest iPad mini refresh ever, adding an A20 Pro chip, an 8.5-inch OLED display, and IP67 water and dust resistance.
Design and Display Upgrades
Apple has unveiled a major update to the iPad mini, introducing a thinner 5.4 mm profile, an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, and a larger 8.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. Despite the expanded screen area, the device retains the footprint of previous generations due to 24 percent thinner bezels.
The OLED panel achieves up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness, a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1-nit minimum brightness for dark environments. Additionally, an optional nano-texture glass configuration is available to reduce glare in bright working conditions.
Performance and AI Capabilities
Under the hood, the new tablet is powered by the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process. The silicon features a 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in every core, delivering up to 4.5x faster artificial intelligence processing and a 2.7x increase in graphics performance compared to the prior generation.
The 512GB configuration incorporates a dual 16-core Neural Engine, creating a 32-core total arrangement designed to support local large language models and intensive creative software workloads. Running on iPadOS 27, the hardware supports next-generation Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI tools.
Connectivity and Audio
Wireless capabilities are upgraded with the introduction of the N1 chip, bringing support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread networking protocols. Cellular variants integrate Apple’s C2 modem system, offering faster cellular speeds alongside eSIM support.
Audio hardware now features an acoustic display design with hidden woofers and custom tweeters enclosed within a sealed housing that contributes to the device’s IP67 water-resistance rating. The front-facing 12MP Center Stage camera has been relocated to the landscape edge.
Pricing and Availability
The updated iPad mini is offered in midnight and starlight finishes with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage tiers. Pre-orders open on Wednesday, October 28, across 36 countries and regions including the United States, with official retail and delivery availability starting Friday, November 6.
Pricing begins at $699 for the Wi-Fi configuration and $849 for the Wi-Fi and cellular model. Education pricing starts at $649. Compatible accessories include the redesigned TechWoven Smart Folio priced at $79, while the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) remain supported.
Source
Official announcement or documentation
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