Apple announced a redesigned iPad mini on October 26, 2026, adding an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip and IP67 water and dust resistance. The compact tablet starts at $699 in the U.S., with preorders opening October 28 and customer deliveries and store availability beginning November 6.
Key Takeaways
- The larger OLED screen fits within the previous model’s footprint through thinner bezels.
- Preorders open in 36 countries and regions, including the U.S., on October 28.
- Some capabilities have qualifications: Siri AI is in beta, and extended external-display support requires iPadOS 27.2.
iPad mini pricing and availability
Apple’s iPad mini launch announcement sets November 6, 2026, as the first day for customer arrivals and availability at Apple stores and authorized resellers. The October 28 preorder opening covers 36 countries and regions, including the U.S.
The tablet comes in midnight and starlight finishes, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options. Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models are available, while a nano-texture display is offered as an option to reduce glare.
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) are compatible but sold separately, at U.S. prices of $129 and $79, respectively. The new TechWoven Smart Folio costs $79.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi model | U.S. starting price: $699 |
| Wi-Fi + Cellular model | U.S. starting price: $849 |
| Education pricing | U.S. starting price: $649 |
A larger screen without a larger footprint
The 8.5-inch OLED screen uses pixel-level lighting control for deeper blacks. Apple says bezels are 24 percent thinner, allowing the larger display to retain the previous generation’s footprint. The new enclosure measures 5.4 millimeters thick.
Apple specifies peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits and full-screen brightness of 600 nits for SDR and HDR content. The optional nano-texture finish targets use in bright environments.
The A20 Pro chip brings updated graphics and AI processing. Apple claims up to 4.5 times faster AI performance and up to 2.7 times faster graphics performance than the previous generation. These are company performance claims, rather than independently verified results.
Other changes include a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge, fast-charge support and a redesigned audio system. Wi-Fi 7 is supported through Apple’s N1 networking chip, while cellular versions use its C2 modem.
Configuration and software limits matter
The Dual 16-core Neural Engine described by Apple is specific to the 512GB configuration. Buyers comparing storage tiers therefore face a processing distinction as well as a capacity choice.
The tablet runs iPadOS 27, with Siri AI rolling out in beta. Extended display mode for multitasking on an external screen is tied to iPadOS 27.2, rather than the initial operating-system version. The IP67 rating establishes water and dust resistance, not an unrestricted waterproof claim.
Next milestone
The next confirmed milestone is the October 28 preorder opening, ahead of the November 6 retail rollout.
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