Apple Announces Upgraded iPad Mini With OLED Display and A20 Pro
Apple has revealed an upgraded iPad Mini featuring a larger 8.5-inch OLED display, a thinner and lighter form factor, and an upgraded A20 Pro chip.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Larger OLED Display and Thinner Design
Apple has officially announced a new iPad Mini equipped with a larger, 8.5-inch OLED display. The company revealed the new device just days before its scheduled "Pro and tell" event on Wednesday. At 5.4mm thick, the updated tablet is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. It also incorporates bezels that are 24 percent slimmer, allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor while housing a screen slightly larger than the previous generation's 8.3-inch display.
The display offers a peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits and a 1-nit minimum brightness designed to reduce eye strain in dim lighting environments. According to technical specifications, the screen supports up to 4K resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning the device does not include Apple's ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling.
Pricing and Configuration Options
The Wi-Fi-only model of the new iPad Mini starts at $699, while the Wi-Fi and cellular version begins at $849. Customers can choose between 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage configurations. Additionally, Apple is offering a glare-reducing nano-texture display option specifically for the 256GB and 512GB models. The tablet is available in "midnight" and "starlight" color finishes.
Preorders for the device are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 28th, with retail availability following shortly on November 6th. This follows previous releases, including the seventh-generation version introduced in 2024 and the sixth-generation model launched back in 2021.
Performance and On-Device AI Support
Under the hood, the new iPad Mini features an upgraded A20 Pro chip capable of running on-device AI models. This processing power enables support for Apple’s new Siri AI features, giving users the ability to adjust the pace and expressiveness of the assistant's voice.
Models configured with 128GB or 256GB of storage include a five-core CPU with two super cores and three efficiency cores. Meanwhile, the 512GB model steps up to a six-core CPU featuring two super cores and four efficiency cores. Every model comes equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine to handle machine learning tasks.
Audio, Camera, and Connectivity Updates
Apple has integrated a new "Acoustic Display" system into the tablet, featuring specially designed woofers paired through the display to produce enhanced volume and punchier bass. Custom tweeters positioned between the glass and aluminum enclosure also aim to deliver clearer high frequencies.
The front-facing 12MP camera has been relocated to the long edge of the device to facilitate more natural video calls in landscape orientation. The tablet also features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, Apple's next-generation C2 cellular modem, and an in-house N1 networking chip. Apple estimates the battery life will reach up to 10 hours while watching videos or browsing the web over Wi-Fi.
Broader Product Ecosystem
The release of the updated iPad Mini arrives amidst a string of other rumored product announcements that could occur throughout the week. Industry speculation suggests Apple may soon reveal additional hardware, including a potential touchscreen MacBook Pro alongside new MacBook Pro and iMac models equipped with M6 processors.
Sources
- The VergeApple updates the iPad Mini with a larger OLED display
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