Apple Updates iPad Mini With OLED Display and A20 Pro Chip, Price Jumps to $699
Apple announced a new iPad mini on Monday, October 26, 2026, with an 8.5 inch OLED display and its A20 Pro chip. The Wi-Fi model starts at $699, up $200 from the previous model’s launch price, with pre-orders opening October 28 and general availability on November 6.
What is new in the 2026 iPad mini
The new iPad mini carries Apple’s A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro, according to Apple’s own newsroom announcement. Apple says the new chip’s CPU is faster than the A17 Pro that powered the 2024 iPad mini.
The headline change is the display. The 8.5 inch screen switches from LCD to OLED, with an optional nano-texture coating to cut glare. Apple lists peak brightness at 1,200 nits, with the panel sustaining 600 nits across full-screen content, and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000 to 1.
| Spec | 2024 iPad mini | 2026 iPad mini |
|---|---|---|
| Display | LCD | OLED, optional nano-texture |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Starting price (Wi-Fi) | $499 | $699 |
| Cellular starting price | $649 | $849 |
| Storage options | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
What changed in cameras, build and connectivity
The new mini carries a 12MP Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge and a 12MP wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4, capable of 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. Apple’s bezels around the display are 24 percent thinner than before, though the overall footprint stays close to the previous generation, and the device is 5.4mm thick.
The device carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance under lab conditions, and ships with Apple’s new N1 wireless chip supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, alongside a C2 cellular modem on the Wi-Fi plus Cellular model that Apple says delivers up to 50 percent faster cellular data than the outgoing model. It supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, both sold separately.
Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, called the update a major leap for people who prefer the full iPad experience in a smaller form factor, in Apple’s announcement.
Why the price jumped by $200
The Wi-Fi model’s starting price rose from $499 at the 2024 model’s launch to $699 for the 2026 version, a $200 increase. The cellular variant now starts at $849. Apple has not published a breakdown attributing the increase to the OLED panel specifically, though OLED panels are typically costlier to manufacture than LCD at this size.
Storage tiers stay the same as the previous generation: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, available in midnight and starlight colour options.
What software and accessories ship with it
The new iPad mini ships with iPadOS 27, and Apple’s announcement notes that the 27.2 update brings its Siri AI features (currently in beta) and an extended display mode to the device. Apple’s A20 Pro chip pairs a 7-core GPU with up to a 6-core CPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, the hardware Apple’s on-device AI features lean on.
Apple is also selling a Smart Folio case for the new mini in navy blue or taupe, priced at $79. On sustainability, Apple says the new iPad mini uses 35 percent recycled content overall, including a fully recycled aluminum enclosure and fully recycled cobalt in its battery.
When can buyers order it
Pre-orders open on October 28, 2026, with the device reaching stores and shipping on November 6, 2026, per Apple’s announcement. The rollout follows Apple’s standard pattern of a short pre-order window ahead of general availability.
Frequently asked questions
What chip does the new iPad mini use?
Apple’s A20 Pro, the same chip used in the iPhone 18 Pro.
How much does the new iPad mini cost?
The Wi-Fi model starts at $699 and the cellular model starts at $849, both $200 more than the 2024 model’s launch prices.
When does it ship?
Pre-orders open October 28, 2026, with general availability on November 6, 2026.
What colors and accessories are available?
The new iPad mini comes in midnight and starlight. Apple also sells a dedicated Smart Folio case in navy blue or taupe for $79, and the device supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, both sold separately.
What remains to be seen is how reviewers rate the OLED panel’s real-world battery impact once units ship on November 6.
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