On October 26, Apple unveiled the iPad mini (A20 Pro) featuring an OLED display, a faster A20 Pro processor, and several hardware upgrades. Customers can place pre-orders starting on October 28, and official shipments begin on November 6.
This new device replaces the previous iteration released in 2024, which featured an A17 Pro chip, an 8.3-inch display, and a thicker profile. The updated model introduces substantial performance, design, and display enhancements across all configurations.
iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad mini (A20 Pro) compared
| Feature | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | iPad mini (A20 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD display | 8.5-inch Super Retina OLED display |
| Processor | A17 Pro (8GB RAM) | A20 Pro (12GB RAM) |
| Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB |
| Front camera | 12MP Center Stage camera | 12MP Landscape Center Stage camera |
| Rear camera | 12MP Wide camera | 12MP Wide camera |
| Biometrics | Touch ID in top button | Touch ID in top button |
| Audio | Landscape stereo speakers | Acoustic Display |
| Colors | Space Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight | Midnight, Starlight |
| Dimensions | H: 7.69 inches (195.4 mm), W: 5.3 inches (134.8 mm), D: 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) | H: 7.69 inches (195.3 mm), W: 5.22 inches (132.6 mm), D: 0.21 inch (5.4 mm) |
| Weight | 0.65 pound (293 grams) | 0.56 pound (255 grams) |
| Price | $599 | $699 |
iPad mini (A20 Pro): Performance and specs
The new tablet integrates the A20 Pro chip originally introduced with the iPhone 18 Pro in September. Apple implements different core configurations for the A20 Pro in this tablet based on the chosen storage tier.
| Specification | 128GB or 256GB | 512GB |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 5-core CPU: 2 super cores and 3 efficiency cores | 6-core CPU: 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores |
| GPU | 7-core GPU | 7-core GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | Dual 16-core Neural Engine |
Transitioning to the A20 Pro delivers faster CPU and graphics capabilities, alongside improved on-device AI processing for Apple Intelligence, gaming, and photo editing. Memory capacity increases to 12GB of RAM, compared to 8GB in the previous model.
Wireless connectivity benefits from the N1 networking chip, which adds support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Cellular configurations utilize Apple’s C2 modem instead of the Qualcomm hardware found in the prior generation, with cellular connectivity adding $150/£150 to the device price.
iPad mini (A20 Pro): Display
Apple upgraded the screen size to 8.5 inches and transitioned from LCD to an OLED panel, marketed as Super Retina XDR. This panel delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast, faster pixel response, and improved viewing angles.
Unlike the iPad Pro, the iPad mini utilizes a single-stack LTPS OLED panel rather than tandem OLED and LTPO technology. This choice reduces manufacturing costs, resulting in a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits compared to the Pro model’s 1,600 nits.
The display maintains a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz and lacks ProMotion support. For models with 256GB and 512GB of storage, Apple offers an optional nano-texture display glass for an additional $100/£100.
2026 iPad mini: Design
The device maintains the overarching design language established in 2021 while reducing thickness to 0.21 inches (5.4 mm) and width to 5.22 inches (132.6 mm). Weighing 0.56 pounds (255 grams), the hardware is noticeably lighter than the 2024 model.
Durability improves with an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating. Apple implements a new Acoustic Display featuring specialized woofers paired through the display and custom tweeters positioned between the glass and aluminum enclosure.
Color availability narrows to Midnight and Starlight, replacing the previous options of Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray.
2026 iPad mini: Cameras
The 12MP FaceTime camera relocates from the short edge to the landscape edge and features an increased ƒ/2.0 aperture compared to the previous ƒ/2.4 lens. The rear camera retains a 12MP Wide sensor with an ƒ/1.8 aperture, 5x digital zoom, adaptive True Tone flash, Smart HDR 4, and 4K video recording up to 60 fps, while the A20 Pro chip enhances computational photography processing.
2026 iPad mini: Price
The iPad mini (A20 Pro) starts at $699/£699, representing a $100/£100 increase over the previous generation’s adjusted pricing. Additional storage tiers cost an extra $100 per 128GB, bringing the 256GB model to $799 and the 512GB configuration to $999 for the iPad mini (A20 Pro).
