Apple has officially unveiled the all-new iPad mini with A20 Pro, marking its biggest update ever. Announced in Cupertino, California, the updated device introduces a larger Super Retina XDR OLED display, an ultra-thin 5.4 mm profile, water and dust resistance, and powerful artificial intelligence capabilities driven by Apple’s latest 2-nanometer chip technology.
Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, noted that the tablet remains a favorite among a diverse group of users, ranging from creators and small business owners to doctors, field service workers, and gamers. Pakula highlighted that the combination of a remarkably thinner and lighter chassis, a vibrant OLED screen, and powerful chip architecture represents a huge leap forward for individuals who prefer the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.
The updated hardware centers around an 8.5-inch OLED panel that delivers deeper blacks, support for the P3 wide color gamut, and a peak brightness reaching up to 1200 nits—more than 2x higher than the previous generation. Despite offering more screen real estate, the chassis maintains the same footprint as the previous mini due to bezels that have been trimmed by 24 percent. For users working outdoors, Apple has also introduced an optional nano-texture display option designed to reduce glare in bright environments.
A20 Pro Chip and iPadOS 27 Boost AI Performance
Under the hood, the device relies on the A20 Pro processor, built on a cutting-edge 2-nanometer process technology. The silicon integrates Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, significantly boosting graphics and AI-intensive tasks.
Powering the software experience is iPadOS 27, which introduces the next generation of Siri AI and advanced Apple Intelligence features. The system is engineered to draw upon a user’s personal context to help them find what they need, answer questions on virtually any topic with broad world knowledge, and understand what’s on their screen.
Connectivity also receives an overhaul with the integration of the Apple-designed N1 wireless chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. Meanwhile, cellular configurations utilize the custom C2 modem system, which increases data speeds by up to 50 percent compared to the previous generation of iPad mini while maintaining greater power efficiency and fast transitions between mobile networks and Wi-Fi connections.
iPad Prices Start at $699 with November 6 Release
The hardware lineup is offered in midnight and starlight color finishes. Base pricing for the Wi-Fi configuration begins at $699 (U.S.), while the Wi-Fi + Cellular variants start at $849 (U.S.). Special education pricing reduces the entry-level cost to $649 (U.S.).
Customers can place pre-orders starting Wednesday, October 28, via the official Apple web portal and the Apple Store application. Official in-store availability and retail shipments are scheduled to commence on Friday, November 6. Additional ecosystem accessories, including a TechWoven Smart Folio priced at $79 (U.S.), launch concurrently to support the updated form factor.
