New iPad mini with OLED: price, specs, release date, and is it worth upgrading?
Apple's new iPad mini gets an 8.5-inch OLED screen, the A20 Pro chip, water resistance and hidden speakers, but the price jumps to $699. Pre-orders open today. Here's everything you need to know.
Apple has given the iPad mini its biggest update in years. The new model, announced on October 26, 2026, brings an OLED display, a much faster A20 Pro chip, water resistance and a thinner design. It also comes with a higher price.
Pre-orders open today, October 28. Here’s everything you need to know.
iPad mini price
- Wi-Fi: from $699 (128GB)
- Wi-Fi + Cellular (5G): from $849
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB
- Nano-texture glass (anti-glare): +$100 on 256GB and 512GB models
- Colors: Midnight and Starlight
That’s $100 more than the previous model’s $599 price (which itself rose from $499 earlier this year).
Release date
- Pre-orders: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (from 10:10 a.m. PT)
- In stores and delivered: Friday, November 6, 2026
What’s new
1. OLED display
The screen grows slightly to 8.5 inches (from 8.3) thanks to thinner bezels, and switches to OLED, giving deeper blacks and richer colors. Peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits for HDR content. However, Apple doesn’t mention ProMotion, so it appears to stay at 60Hz, which is a letdown for some buyers.
2. A20 Pro chip
The same family of chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, built on a 2nm process. Apple claims up to 60% faster CPU, 2.7x faster graphics and 4.5x faster AI performance than the previous iPad mini. The 512GB model gets an extra CPU core.
3. Thinner, lighter and water-resistant
- 5.4 mm thin (down from 6.3 mm)
- About 255 g (down from 297 g)
- IP67 water and dust resistance, a first for the iPad mini
4. Speakers with no holes
Apple’s new “Acoustic Display” hides the speakers: woofers work through the screen, and tweeters sit between the glass and aluminum frame. This sealed design helps with water resistance.
5. Better video calls
The 12MP front camera is now on the landscape edge, so you look centered in video calls when holding it sideways. The rear camera is 12MP with 4K video.
6. Faster wireless
Apple’s N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and cellular models use Apple’s C2 modem for up to 50% faster data speeds.
The new iPad mini finally feels like a “Pro” tablet in a small size, but the $699 price means it’s no longer the budget choice it used to be.
Other details
- Works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro
- Touch ID in the top button and USB-C port
- Fast charging to 50% in 30 minutes with a 35W+ adapter; a 20W adapter is in the box
- Supports an external display in extended mode (iPadOS 27.2)
Should you upgrade?
Upgrade if: you have an older iPad mini (6th generation or earlier), you read or watch videos a lot, or you want a small tablet you can use near water.
Skip it if: you have the 2024 iPad mini and don’t need OLED, you want a smooth 120Hz screen, or you’re on a budget. The standard iPad is cheaper and still very capable.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the new iPad mini?
It starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for the cellular model.
When is the new iPad mini released?
Pre-orders open October 28, 2026, and it launches on November 6, 2026.
Does the new iPad mini have ProMotion (120Hz)?
Apple doesn’t list ProMotion, so it appears to remain 60Hz.
Is the new iPad mini waterproof?
It’s rated IP67, meaning it’s protected against dust and can survive being briefly underwater. It isn’t designed for swimming, and water damage may not be covered by warranty.
What colors does it come in?
Midnight and Starlight.
