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Apple announced a new iPad mini on October 26, 2026, with an 8.5-inch OLED display, A20 Pro chip, a thinner and lighter design, and IP67-rated splash, water and dust resistance. U.S. prices start at $699 for Wi-Fi; preorders open October 28, with availability beginning November 6.
Apple announced a new iPad mini on October 26, adding an 8.5-inch OLED display, its A20 Pro chip and IP67-rated splash, water and dust resistance to the compact tablet. The device starts at $699 for Wi-Fi in the United States, with preorders opening October 28 and sales beginning November 6.
The new model has a larger OLED screen than the previous-generation iPad mini, which Apple says delivers higher contrast and more than twice the peak brightness. A nano-texture display option will also be available. Apple describes the body as thinner and lighter, but its announcement does not provide dimensions or weight for comparison. The screen measures 8.5 inches diagonally.
Apple says the A20 Pro chip includes Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, features it links to AI workloads. Other listed changes include a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge, an Acoustic Display, faster wireless and cellular connectivity, and fast-charge support. The company did not specify charging speeds or provide connection performance figures in its announcement.
The device comes in midnight and starlight, with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage. U.S. Wi-Fi models start at $699, while Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $849. Apple lists education pricing from $649 for Wi-Fi. The tablet is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C); a new TechWoven Smart Folio is priced at $79 in the U.S.
A Higher-End Mini Tablet
The changes position the iPad mini as a more capable small-screen option for people who want a tablet that is easier to carry than larger iPads. The OLED panel and brighter display could matter for reading, video and other visually demanding tasks, while the new chip and camera updates target productivity, creative work and video calls. Those are potential uses implied by the specifications; Apple has not supplied independent performance testing.
At a U.S. starting price of $699, the new Wi-Fi model is a substantial purchase for a compact tablet. The cellular version starts at $849, before any applicable taxes or carrier costs. Buyers will need to weigh the updated screen and hardware against their budget and whether they need a small tablet’s portability more than the larger displays offered by other iPads.
Water resistance may also change how owners use the device day to day, but it does not make the iPad mini waterproof or protect it indefinitely. Apple says the IP67 rating is based on controlled laboratory testing and that resistance can decline with normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty, according to the company.
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Apple’s Mini Tablet Update
Apple’s October 26 announcement is a product launch, not a report of independent testing or customer experience. The company presents the new tablet as its biggest iPad mini update, citing the OLED display, A20 Pro chip and resistance rating. That characterization comes from Apple; the supplied announcement does not include comparisons across competing tablets or third-party test results.
Apple also highlighted Apple Intelligence features, including personal-context assistance through Siri, onscreen awareness, photo editing tools and an Image Playground app. It says the system uses on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, and that personal data handled through Private Cloud Compute is not stored or made accessible to Apple or others. These are company statements about its software and privacy approach; the announcement does not provide an independent privacy assessment or explain which features will be available in every market or language.
The listed U.S. prices and launch dates are Apple’s published terms. Preorders are scheduled to start October 28 at Apple’s website and through the Apple Store app in 36 countries and regions, including the United States. Apple says the tablet will reach customers and stores on November 6. Availability and prices outside the United States may differ.
“iPad mini is beloved for its fantastic portability, performance, and display by a wide range of users, from creators and small business owners to doctors, field service workers, and gamers.”
— Dave Pakula, Apple vice president of Hardware Engineering
Details Still Awaiting Tests
Apple has not published independent testing of the A20 Pro’s performance, battery life, display brightness or wireless speeds in the supplied announcement. It also does not give the tablet’s exact weight and thickness, or specify the price of the nano-texture option. Those details would help buyers compare the new model with earlier iPad minis and other tablets.
The IP67 rating describes testing under controlled conditions: Apple says the device can withstand immersion to a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. The company cautions that resistance is not permanent, can lessen through normal wear, and does not mean the iPad should be charged while wet. Its announcement says liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
Apple’s announcement gives the planned launch dates and participating markets but does not establish whether every storage configuration or accessory will be available everywhere on day one. It also does not give a full market-by-market price list. Details about real-world performance, battery endurance and availability remain to be confirmed through product testing and regional listings.
Preorders Begin October 28
Customers in the 36 listed countries and regions can preorder the new iPad mini starting Wednesday, October 28, through Apple’s website or the Apple Store app. Apple says deliveries and in-store availability begin Friday, November 6. Buyers can select a Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular model and choose among 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage, subject to local availability.
Apple has listed compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), along with the $79 TechWoven Smart Folio. Customers considering the tablet can check local pricing and configuration availability when preorders open. Independent reviews and hands-on testing after release should provide more evidence on battery life, display performance, chip speed and the practical limits of the water-resistance rating.
Key Questions
When does the new iPad mini go on sale?
Apple says preorders open on October 28, 2026, and the tablet will begin arriving to customers and appear in stores on November 6.
How much does the new iPad mini cost?
In the United States, the Wi-Fi model starts at $699 and Wi-Fi + Cellular starts at $849. Apple lists education pricing from $649 for the Wi-Fi model. Prices may differ outside the U.S.
What is new in this iPad mini?
Apple lists an 8.5-inch OLED display, an A20 Pro chip, a thinner and lighter design, IP67-rated splash, water and dust resistance, a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera and an Acoustic Display among the changes.
Is the new iPad mini waterproof?
No. Apple describes it as splash, water and dust resistant with an IP67 rating under controlled laboratory conditions. The company says resistance can decrease with wear and that liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
Which Apple Pencil models work with the new iPad mini?
Apple says the tablet is compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). U.S. prices are $129 and $79, respectively, before education discounts.
Source: apple.com
