Apple’s OLED iPad Mini Costs $699: Specs, Price, Release Date and What Is Missing
Apple has announced the first iPad mini with an OLED display, and calls it the tablet’s biggest update ever. MacRumors reports that pre-orders open on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:10 a.m. Pacific Time, and the first units arrive on Friday, November 6. In the US, it starts at $699.
It is the first of a series of Apple launches this week, according to Bloomberg, as relayed by Quartz. TechCrunch adds that Apple’s “Pro and Tell” event takes place on Wednesday. Here is everything we know about the OLED iPad mini so far.
A Bigger, Brighter OLED Display
The new iPad mini has an 8.5-inch OLED screen, up from 8.3 inches on the previous model. Quartz notes that Apple made the bezels 24% thinner, so the larger screen fits in the same footprint as before.
Apple says OLED brings deeper blacks and higher contrast. According to MacRumors, the display reaches up to 600 nits of brightness for standard content, up from 500, and up to 1,200 nits for HDR content. Apple says peak brightness is more than double the old model’s.
Like the iPad Pro, the mini can now be ordered with a nano-texture display option that reduces glare in bright light. It is a $100 upgrade and is only available on the 256GB and 512GB models. With iPadOS 27.2, Apple says the mini also supports an extended display mode when connected to an external monitor.
The A20 Pro Chip
The tablet runs on the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process. Compared with the A17 Pro in the previous iPad mini, Apple claims up to 60% faster CPU performance, up to 2.7 times faster graphics and up to 4.5 times faster AI performance, MacRumors reports.
There is a catch for buyers. 9to5Mac notes that the chip differs by storage tier. The 128GB and 256GB models have a 5-core CPU, a 7-core GPU and one 16-core Neural Engine. The 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU and a dual Neural Engine.
The A20 Pro debuted last month in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. Our report on everything Apple announced in September covers those phones.
Thinner, Lighter and Water-Resistant
The new Wi-Fi model is 5.4mm thick and weighs 0.56 pounds. The previous Wi-Fi model was 6.3mm thick and 0.65 pounds, so the new one is around 15% thinner and lighter.
It is also the first iPad with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, according to Bloomberg via Quartz. Apple achieved this with a new Acoustic Display system. Audio comes from behind the screen, so the tablet no longer has speaker holes. Apple says specially designed woofers work through the display for punchier bass, while custom tweeters sit hidden between the glass and the aluminum enclosure.
Colors are limited to Midnight and Starlight, down from four finishes on the previous model.
Cameras, Charging and Connectivity
The 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera now sits on the landscape edge, so it is better placed for video calls. On the back is a 12-megapixel Wide camera with Smart HDR 4 and 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. Apple says the True Tone flash is now adaptive, which it says improves photos and document scanning.
The iPad mini keeps a Touch ID button and a USB-C port. It now supports fast charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes, but only with a 35W or higher power adapter. MacRumors notes that Apple includes a 20W adapter in the box in the US, so you may need to buy a faster one.
Apple’s N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, a step up from Wi-Fi 6E on the old model. Cellular models get Apple’s C2 modem, which Apple says delivers up to 50% faster data speeds.
Price: Two Increases in One Year
The Wi-Fi model with 128GB starts at $699. MacRumors reports that the Wi-Fi and cellular version costs $849, up from $749, and education pricing starts at $649. The previous model started at $599, so the increase is $100, or 17%.
That $599 price was itself a rise. The previous iPad mini cost $499 when it launched in 2024. Apple raised it in June as part of sweeping price increases across its range, which MacRumors attributes to memory and chip shortages. The latest increase is smaller than rumors from earlier this month, which suggested a $200 jump.
Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Accessories also cost more. The new TechWoven Smart Folio is $79, up from $59 for the old Smart Folio. Quartz lists the Apple Pencil Pro at $129 and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) at $79.
What Is Missing
MacRumors notes that Apple’s tech specs do not mention ProMotion, so the OLED screen appears to stay at 60Hz. Readers on the MacRumors forum were quick to criticize that, along with the 128GB base storage and the high price.
The fast-charging adapter is not included, and the color range has narrowed. Those are small complaints next to the main upgrade, but they matter at a $699 starting price.
Should You Buy It?
This section is our own view, not part of the reporting.
The new iPad mini suits readers, travelers and note-takers who value a pocketable tablet with a great screen. The water resistance and the larger display are real upgrades. If you already own a recent iPad mini, there is little pressure to move quickly.
If smooth scrolling matters to you, the 60Hz screen may be a dealbreaker. It is also wise to wait for independent reviews before ordering, since specs do not tell the whole story. Prices outside the US may differ, so check your local Apple store.
The iPad mini also fits a pattern in Apple’s range this year. Our report on the Mac mini M6 launch and our guide to iOS 27 and Siri extensions show how Apple is refreshing hardware and software together.
What Comes Next
Apple has teased an “exciting week” ahead. MacRumors lists a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and M6 Macs among the products expected, and the iPad mini pre-order opens on Wednesday. Check back for our coverage as those products arrive.
