Apple has launched a new iPad mini OLED that starts at $699 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model in the United States, answering the main price question for shoppers comparing this update with the previous mini. The cellular Wi-Fi model begins at $849. Pre-orders open on 28 October 2026, with availability from 6 November.
Display, design and everyday features
The iPad mini OLED uses an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR panel at 2,316 x 1,512 resolution, slightly larger than the prior 8.3-inch screen. Apple says peak brightness reaches up to 1,200 nits—more than twice the previous mini—with a 1-nit minimum for dim rooms. Refresh stays at 60Hz; ProMotion is still absent. Bezels are 24 percent slimmer, and nano-texture glass is optional to cut glare.
The device is 5.4mm thick and weighs 255 grams, down from 6.3mm and 297 grams on the predecessor. It carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. Speakers sit in an “Acoustic Display” setup with woofers paired through the panel and tweeters between glass and aluminium. A 12MP Center Stage camera sits on the long edge for landscape calls. Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB‑C) are supported. Battery capacity is listed at 18.9Wh; Apple claims up to 10 hours of video or web use on Wi-Fi, and a 50 percent charge in about 30 minutes with a 35W or stronger adapter over USB‑C (USB 3 data up to 10Gb/s).
Chip, storage tiers and connectivity
Apple pairs the new mini with the A20 Pro for on-device AI features, including more control over Siri’s voice pace and expressiveness. Models with 128GB or 256GB storage use a five-core CPU (two performance and three efficiency cores). The 512GB model uses a six-core CPU with four efficiency cores. All configurations include a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s description of the chip’s AI hardware.
Wireless options include Wi‑Fi 7. Cellular versions add 5G (sub‑6 GHz) with eSIM and Apple’s C2 modem, plus Apple’s N1 networking chip. Colours are Midnight and Starlight only.
Price ladder versus the iPad mini 7
US list prices are $699 / $799 / $999 for 128GB, 256GB and 512GB Wi‑Fi, and $849 / $949 / $1,149 with cellular. That is a clear step up from the seventh-generation iPad mini, which launched in 2024 from $499. Official Pakistan rupee pricing is not part of the announcement material available here, so local landed cost will still depend on importers and duties.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2021: Apple released the sixth-generation iPad mini.
- 2024: The seventh-generation iPad mini arrived, starting at $499, with an A17 Pro chip and 128GB base storage.
- 26 October 2026: Apple unveiled the new OLED iPad mini with A20 Pro and IP67.
- 28 October 2026: Pre-orders are scheduled to begin.
- 6 November 2026: First customer availability is scheduled.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Naya iPad mini OLED aa gaya hai, screen pehli dafa OLED hai aur size 8.5 inch hai. America mein Wi‑Fi wala model $699 se shuru hota hai, pehle wale mini se mehnga. Order 28 October se shuru, milna 6 November se. Pakistan ki official rupee qeemat is announcement mein nahi di gayi, is liye yahan kharidte waqt dealer ki price check karein.
