Apple has updated its 8.5-inch compact tablet lineup with an A20 Pro chip, a Super Retina XDR OLED display, and a reduced weight of 255 grams for the Wi-Fi configuration, according to specifications released by the company.
New OLED Screen Delivers Higher Brightness than Previous Model
The eighth-generation compact tablet replaces the previous panel with an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen that reaches a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and a minimum of one nit for low-light reading. The model of 2024 utilizes an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD with a resolution of 2,266 by 1,488 pixels and 500 nits of brightness, whereas the new display delivers 600 nits at full screen in SDR and HDR alongside the 1,200-nit peak in HDR content, more than double the maximum HDR luminosity of the prior iPad mini with A17 Pro. For the first time in this format, the device offers an optional nanotextured glass finish designed to reduce reflections outdoors. The screen maintains a resolution of 2,316 by 1,512 pixels with 326 pixels per inch, while reducing bezel width by 24 percent compared to the prior model. Regulatory filings from the European Union uncovered by La Verdad Noticias show that the device houses a 4,900 mAh battery, down from the 5,034 mAh unit found in the seventh-generation model, and European labeling records similarly place the capacity at 4,900 mAh compared to the previous 5,124 mAh. In addition, company data shows that the new model has a thickness of 5.4 millimeters, down from 6.3 millimeters in the previous generation, while its weight drops from approximately 0.65 pounds to 0.56 pounds (or 263 grams for the Wi-Fi plus Cellular version).
How the A20 Pro Processor Dictates Performance Tiering
Built on a two-nanometer process, the new A20 Pro chip introduces distinct core counts depending on storage capacity chosen by the buyer. The 512 GB configuration integrates a processor that delivers up to a 60 percent performance increase over the previous generation, alongside 2.7 times more graphics performance and 4.5 times more capability in artificial intelligence tasks. The previous iPad mini of 2024 carries the A17 Pro chip built on a three-nanometer process with a six-core CPU, a five-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine, while the new tablet integrates a seven-core GPU incorporating neural accelerators in each core. Graphics processing relies on a seven-core GPU equipped with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and Dynamic Caching. The 512 GB tier stands alone in incorporating a dual 16-core Neural Engine, bringing total neural processing blocks to 32.
Wireless Chip Adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Support
Apple integrates its N1 wireless chip into the hardware, adding support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread protocol connectivity. Wi-Fi reaches theoretical speeds of up to 2.4 Gb/s under compatible conditions, and Apple has also improved connections on 5 GHz networks alongside AirDrop and AirPlay.
Base Pricing Starts at Six Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars
Pricing starts at 749 euros or 699 dollars for the 128 GB Wi-Fi model, while cellular configurations start at 849 dollars. The chassis introduces IP67 water and dust resistance, rated for immersion up to one meter for 30 minutes in laboratory conditions. Compatible accessories include the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, alongside a redesigned TechWoven Smart Folio priced at 79 dollars.
Dual Twelve-Megapixel Cameras Record Four-K Video
Both generations integrate a 12-megapixel front camera featuring Center Stage and a 12-megapixel rear camera supporting 4K video recording at 60 frames per second alongside a True Tone flash. Available finishes consist of Midnight and Starlight.
