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Apple unveils new iPad mini with OLED display and faster A20 Pro chip

DevicesOctober 26, 20261 min read

Apple has announced a new iPad mini with a bigger 8.5-inch OLED screen and a faster A20 Pro chip. It is thinner and lighter than the last version.

What happened

On Monday, Apple revealed a new iPad mini just days before its "Pro and Tell" event on Wednesday. The tablet has a larger 8.5-inch OLED display, a slimmer and lighter body, and an A20 Pro chip, which is the computer brain that runs the device. It comes in two colors and can be pre-ordered on October 28, with sales starting November 6.

Key numbers and facts

Price: $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for the Wi-Fi and cellular model.
Thickness: 5.4 mm.
Peak brightness: up to 1,200 nits, more than twice the previous model.
AI performance: up to 4.5 times faster than the previous generation.
Multithreaded speed (doing many tasks at once): up to 60% faster.

How the screen works

OLED screens light up each tiny dot (pixel) on its own. This gives deeper black colors and richer contrast. Apple also added a nano-texture option that cuts glare, which helps the screen look clear in bright places. The new model also has an "Acoustic Display" that uses built-in speakers in the screen for deeper bass and louder sound.

Why it matters

The iPad mini is a small tablet, so these upgrades make it a stronger choice for games, videos, photo editing, and AI features like Siri. A bigger, brighter screen and better speakers could make it more appealing to people who want a portable device that does more.

What to watch

The "Pro and Tell" event on Wednesday, where Apple may share more news.
Pre-orders starting October 28.
Store availability beginning November 6.
How reviewers judge the screen, speed, and battery life once the tablet is in their hands.

Glossary

OLED: A screen type where each tiny dot makes its own light, giving deep blacks and bright colors.
A20 Pro: Apple's chip, the main processor that runs the tablet's apps and tasks.
Siri: Apple's voice assistant that answers questions and does tasks on devices.
nits: A unit that measures how bright a screen is.

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