Apple Announces New iPad mini and M6 MacBooks
Apple has kicked off a wave of product announcements by launching a redesigned OLED iPad mini alongside M6-powered iMac and MacBook Pro models ahead of its upcoming 'Pro and Tell' event.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Fall Product Lineup Expansion
Ahead of its upcoming 'Pro and Tell' event, Apple has launched a series of new devices to expand its fall hardware ecosystem. Following earlier product reveals including the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro models, the company began a new wave of announcements starting with the long-awaited OLED iPad mini. This was quickly followed by updates to desktop and laptop computers powered by new custom silicon.
Alongside the physical hardware rollouts, Apple has released new versions of its operating systems. These software updates have introduced additional Siri AI features and made the voice assistant available in more languages. Furthermore, Apple Creator Studio has been updated with extra AI capabilities and creative tools.
Eighth-Generation OLED iPad mini
The eighth-generation iPad mini brings an OLED display to the tablet lineup for the first time. The new screen reaches a peak brightness of 1,200 nits—double that of the previous model—and features a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. While base storage remains at 128GB, variants with 256GB and 512GB offer an optional nano-texture glass display configuration for an additional cost.
Apple managed to expand the screen size to 8.5 inches, up from 8.3 inches, without increasing the overall footprint of the tablet. The new iPad mini is slightly narrower at 5.22 inches and lighter than its predecessor, with the Wi-Fi model weighing 0.56 pounds and the 5G version weighing 0.58 pounds. The 5G variant also incorporates Apple's C2 modem for faster data speeds, alongside Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity enabled by the N1 chip.
Under the hood, the tablet runs on the A20 Pro chipset featuring a 7-core GPU. The SoC supports local execution of large language models, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI capabilities. The device also includes an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, a landscape-oriented 12MP Center Stage front camera, and a 12MP rear camera supporting 4K video capture.
Battery life remains rated at up to 10 hours for web browsing or video playback over Wi-Fi, dropping to nine hours over a cellular connection. Using a 35W or higher power adapter can recharge the battery to 50 percent in 30 minutes. The tablet also introduces Apple's first Acoustic Display, utilizing woofers paired through the display and custom tweeters hidden within the enclosure.
The new iPad mini starts at $699. Pre-orders are scheduled to open on October 28, with retail availability beginning on November 6.
M6-Powered iMac Updates
Apple has refreshed its desktop lineup by bringing the M6 chipset to the 24-inch iMac. According to the company, the M6's dual 16-core neural engine delivers up to five times faster on-device AI performance compared to the previous M4-powered model. The M6 architecture also provides up to 1.5 times faster daily task execution, double the graphics performance for tasks like photo editing, and improved gaming capabilities with ray tracing support.
The base M6 configuration features 10 CPU cores and a 10-core GPU, while a higher-tier 12-core M6 option provides four Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of two, alongside an optional nano-texture glass screen. The desktop also incorporates the N1 networking chip to enable Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, with an optional 2.5Gb Ethernet port upgrade.
The iMac retains its 24-inch 4.5K Super Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, six-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system, and color options including blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver. The starting price remains $1,499 for the base model and $1,699 for the four-port version. Pre-orders begin on October 28, and shipments arrive in stores on November 6.
Updated 14-Inch MacBook Pro
Apple has also updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the 12-core version of the M6 chipset and the N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. When compared to the previous generation powered by the M5 SoC, the new model offers up to 30 percent faster graphics performance and up to 25 percent faster AI workloads.
Additional performance gains include faster rendering in Blender, improved image processing in Affinity, and quicker project builds when compiling code in Xcode, marking a steady generational update for Apple's professional laptop lineup.
Expected Upcoming Announcements
With several devices already revealed, attention turns to Apple's upcoming announcements. Industry expectations suggest that further hardware and software developments may be showcased during the remainder of the current product cycle, as the company continues its fall rollout schedule.
Sources
- EngadgetEverything Apple announced this week so far: New iPad and MacBooks
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