Apple announced a redesigned iPad mini on October 26, 2026, and the headline change is a first for the line: an 8.5-inch OLED display, driven by the new A20 Pro chip, according to TechRadar’s launch coverage. The tablet is 5.4 mm thick, carries an IP67 rating and starts at $699 in the US. That price is the number readers keep asking about, because the small tablet that used to be Apple’s cheap entry point now costs $200 more than the previous generation did at launch.
We already covered the first spec rundown of the OLED iPad mini, so this piece goes in a different direction. It focuses on what the pricing, the financing terms and one rival Android tablet say about where small slates are heading. Everything below that carries a number comes from Apple’s announcement or from named outlets, and where details are still open, I say so.
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What Apple Announced for the iPad mini on October 26
The facts Apple has put on the record are tidy. The new iPad mini uses an 8.5-inch OLED panel, an A20 Pro processor and a 5.4 mm aluminum body. It has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, a 12MP Center Stage front camera placed on the landscape edge, and three storage tiers of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Two colors ship at launch, midnight and starlight. Apple’s own newsroom post frames the release as the biggest update the iPad mini has ever received.
Apple also says the bezels are 24% thinner than on the previous generation. That detail matters more than it sounds. On a screen this small, every millimeter of frame you remove either shrinks the device or grows the display, and Apple chose to grow the display while shrinking the body. The result is a tablet that gets bigger on the inside and lighter in the hand.
US pricing is $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Apple also lists monthly terms of $58.25 for 12 months on the Wi-Fi version and $70.75 for 12 months on the cellular version. We unpack that math in a later section, because the installment plan reveals how Apple wants buyers to think about the jump in cost.
iPad mini Specs Apple Has Confirmed
Before the analysis, here is the spec baseline. The table sticks to figures from Apple’s announcement and the launch coverage. Anything Apple has not published, such as RAM and battery capacity, is marked as unconfirmed instead of guessed.
| Spec | New iPad mini (Oct. 26, 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5-inch OLED | Apple announcement |
| Bezels | 24% thinner than prior generation | Apple |
| Chip | A20 Pro | Apple announcement |
| Thickness | 5.4 mm | Apple announcement |
| Dust and water resistance | IP67 | Apple announcement |
| Front camera | 12MP Center Stage, landscape edge | Apple announcement |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Apple announcement |
| Colors | Midnight, starlight | Apple announcement |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | TechRadar, 9to5Google |
| RAM and battery size | Not confirmed in sources reviewed | TechRadar notes memory is unannounced |
The gap at the bottom of that table is real. TechRadar says Apple has not yet confirmed how much memory sits inside the tablet, and suggests reviews or a teardown may settle it. Until then, any RAM figure you see floating around is a guess.
Why the OLED Panel Is the Real Story
Chips get the keynote slides, but the iPad mini OLED panel is what changes the daily experience. OLED lets each pixel switch off, so blacks look black instead of dark gray. That helps video, photos and any app with a dark theme, which describes most of what people do on a small tablet at night or on a plane.
TechRadar reports that the new display tops out at 1,200 nits of peak brightness, compared with 500 nits on the previous mini. That is a 2.4x jump on paper. It also notes that the iPad mini is often carried outdoors and even used in cockpits by pilots, so brightness is a practical upgrade and not just a spec-sheet flourish. TechRadar adds that the screen keeps P3 color and True Tone support, and that a Nano-Texture glass option trickles down from the iPad Pro.
Then there is the catch. Both TechRadar and 9to5Google point out that the panel stays at 60Hz. TechRadar observes that this leaves the iPad Pro as Apple’s only iPad with 120Hz support. For a $699 tablet in late 2026, that is the sharpest complaint reviewers have raised so far. We return to it in the rival comparison below.
A20 Pro Performance Claims Against the A17 Pro
The A20 Pro is the processor in the new iPad mini, and Apple’s comparison point is the A17 Pro that powered the earlier model. According to TechRadar’s summary of Apple’s claims, the new chip delivers up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance, 4.5x faster AI performance and 2.7x better graphics performance generation over generation. Those are Apple’s numbers, not independent benchmarks, and the wording “up to” matters. Real workloads rarely hit the ceiling.
The AI figure is the one to watch. A 4.5x gain on machine learning tasks suggests Apple expects this tablet to run on-device features, not just stream content. TechRadar adds that unified memory bandwidth has doubled, in line with the latest iPhones, and that the tablet should run iPadOS 27 with full Siri AI compatibility. Whether the unannounced RAM amount limits those features is the open question, since local language models are hungry for memory.
For most owners, the practical gain is simpler. Apps open faster, exports finish sooner and games that stuttered on older minis should hold their frame rates. Nobody buys a mini for heavy video editing, but Apple clearly wants it to handle more than reading and browsing.
Thinner Bezels, a 5.4 mm Body and IP67
The industrial design changes add up. At 5.4 mm, the new iPad mini is roughly a millimeter thinner than its predecessor, which TechRadar lists at 6.35 mm. 9to5Google, citing 9to5Mac, puts the weight at about 255 grams, and TechRadar lists the previous model at 295 grams. That works out to a weight cut of about 14%, which you will feel after an hour of one-handed reading.
TechRadar describes the IP67 rating as a dust and water resistance upgrade. IP67 means protection against dust ingress and temporary immersion in shallow water, which turns the mini into something you can use near a kitchen sink, a pool deck or a rainy commute without worry. TechRadar predicts the water and dust resistance will be a hit with families, since kids are hard on devices. That prediction is the reviewer’s opinion, but the logic is sound. A tablet that survives a spilled drink is a safer purchase for a household.
The same thin-and-light approach is showing up across Apple’s lineup this season. Our look at early iPhone Duo display concerns shows how aggressive Apple has become about slimming hardware, and the flip side is durability scrutiny. The mini’s IP67 rating suggests Apple wants to answer that scrutiny up front.
The $699 Price in Context
The price is where this launch gets contentious. TechRadar reports that the seventh-generation iPad mini launched at $499, then rose to $599 in June this year. The new model starts at $699, which is $200 above that original launch price (a 40% increase) and $100 above the June price (about 17%). The table below lays out the ladder using figures from TechRadar and Apple.
| Configuration | US price | Change vs $699 base | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th-gen iPad mini at launch | $499 | -$200 | TechRadar |
| 7th-gen after June 2026 increase | $599 | -$100 | TechRadar |
| New iPad mini, Wi-Fi, 128GB | $699 | Base | Apple |
| New iPad mini, Wi-Fi + Cellular | $849 | +$150 (21%) | Apple |
| New iPad mini, 256GB | $799 | +$100 | TechRadar |
| New iPad mini, 256GB with Nano-Texture | $899 | +$200 | TechRadar |
Two things stand out. First, Apple raised the old model’s price in June before replacing it, so the jump from the last price Apple charged ($599) looks smaller than the jump from launch ($499). Second, a buyer who wants more than the entry spec lands near $900 quickly. A 256GB model with the Nano-Texture glass costs $899 according to TechRadar, and the cellular model at $849 does not yet include the storage upgrade.
Financing Math: $58.25 and $70.75 a Month
Apple’s monthly pricing is simple arithmetic. At $58.25 a month for 12 months, the Wi-Fi iPad mini totals $699. At $70.75 a month for 12 months, the cellular version totals $849. Both match the sticker prices exactly, which means the plan carries no extra charge on the figures Apple lists.
Why show monthly figures at all? Because $58.25 feels smaller than $699, and Apple has used that framing for years. The cellular premium shrinks from a $150 line item to $12.50 a month, a number most buyers will accept without comparison shopping. For a device whose price rose 40% over two generations, softer framing is good business.
Readers should still check the fine print on Apple’s store page, since carrier deals, trade-in credits and education pricing can all change the effective cost. The monthly numbers above are the ones in Apple’s announcement, and I have not seen terms beyond them.
Storage, Colors and the Nano-Texture Upcharge
The storage ladder is 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and TechRadar calls the 128GB starting point a tad disappointing. It has a point. AI features, photos and video all eat space quickly. A buyer who plans to keep offline media or game installs will probably pay up to the 256GB tier.
The Nano-Texture option adds another $100 and, per TechRadar, requires at least the 256GB model. That bundling nudges anyone who wants the matte glass into a $899 purchase. For travelers and people who read outdoors, the glare reduction may justify it. For anyone who mostly uses the tablet at home, it probably does not.
Color choice has narrowed. The new iPad mini comes in midnight and starlight only, and TechRadar notes that blue, purple and space gray are gone. If you wanted a bright finish, you will need a case.
iPad mini vs RedMagic Astra 2: The Android Rival
The timing of 9to5Google’s piece is interesting. On the same day Apple announced the tablet, 9to5Google published a review arguing that the RedMagic Astra 2 is Android’s version of the iPad mini OLED and, in the author’s view, a better one. The comparison is the reviewer’s opinion, but the numbers behind it are checkable, and they paint a clear picture.
| Feature | Apple iPad mini | RedMagic Astra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5-inch OLED, 60Hz | 9.04-inch OLED, 185Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits (TechRadar) | 1,600 nits (9to5Google) |
| Chip | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Memory | Not confirmed | 12GB in base model |
| Thickness | 5.4 mm | 6.9 mm |
| Water and dust rating | IP67 | IP54 |
| Battery | Not confirmed | 8,300 mAh |
| Base price | $699 | $749 (12GB/256GB) |
| 256GB price | $799 | $749 |
| 512GB price | $999 | $849 |
Where the RedMagic Astra 2 Wins
According to 9to5Google’s review, the Astra 2 beats Apple on refresh rate, peak brightness and memory in its base configuration. The reviewer describes the 185Hz screen as not inherently better than a standard 120Hz panel but far better than Apple’s 60Hz one. The tablet also carries a fan and a liquid cooling loop, which the reviewer credits for keeping it from getting warm during long games.
On price, the comparison flips depending on the tier. Apple’s base model is cheaper at $699 versus $749. But 9to5Google points out that the equivalent iPad mini with 256GB lands at $799, which is $50 more than the Astra 2, and the 512GB iPad mini at $999 is $150 above the Astra 2’s $849. The reviewer also notes that the Astra 2 price came after a quiet price hike within the last few days.
Where the iPad mini Holds Its Ground
Apple’s tablet is thinner at 5.4 mm against 6.9 mm, and the IP67 rating beats the Astra 2’s IP54, even though the Android tablet manages that rating with a fan inside. Software is the other gap. iPadOS 27 supports full iPad multitasking, and many users still find Apple’s tablet app selection deeper than Android’s. The 9to5Google reviewer also notes the Astra 2 lacks stylus support.
Market Impact: What This Means for Small Tablets
The small tablet segment has been quiet for years. Apple’s decision to push the iPad mini upmarket tells you how it sees the category, as a premium companion device and not a volume product. At $699, the mini now sits closer to the old 11-inch iPad price territory than to the budget tier it once anchored.
That opens space for competitors. The RedMagic Astra 2 is one example, a gaming-focused Android slate that 9to5Google says undercuts Apple at matched storage tiers. Other Android makers watching a 40% price rise on the leading small tablet have a reason to price aggressively on 8-inch and 9-inch models. I expect more OLED tablets under $750 to appear in the coming months.
Apple’s financial position gives it room to make this bet. Our report on Apple briefly topping NVIDIA at a $5.1 trillion valuation shows that investors reward premium hardware cycles. A pricier mini fits a strategy built on higher average selling prices.
Historical Context: From $499 to $699 in Two Cycles
The seventh-generation iPad mini arrived at $499. In June 2026, according to TechRadar, Apple lifted it to $599. Four months later the replacement arrives at $699. Each step added $100 or $200, and each came with a justification, first component costs and now a display and chip generation that Apple calls its biggest update ever.
The climb fits a wider pattern of rising hardware prices. Our price comparison in the handheld console price ladder shows the same drift, with a range from $499.99 to $1,299 for devices that sat much lower a few years ago. The iPad mini simply joins that trend.
The OLED switch is also the culmination of a long wait. TechRadar called the new tablet a long-overdue upgrade and said the display change is bigger than it expected. Readers who held off on the previous model for exactly this feature now get what they asked for, at a higher price than they hoped.
Gaming and Portable Use on the New Mini
Small tablets double as handheld gaming machines for plenty of people, and the A20 Pro’s claimed 2.7x graphics gain over the A17 Pro supports that use. A brighter OLED panel, a lighter body and improved speakers (TechRadar describes a new Acoustic Display with woofers in the screen) all help when the tablet is a game screen.
The 60Hz cap limits that story. Competitive and fast-action titles look smoother at higher refresh rates, and the Astra 2 at 185Hz is built for exactly that. We explored how the mini stacks up against Nintendo’s console in our iPad mini versus Switch 2 comparison, and the refresh rate question runs through that analysis as well.
For casual and mobile-first gamers, the mini remains an appealing pick. For people who want the best frame rates, an Android gaming tablet or a dedicated handheld still makes more sense, and the full hardware picture is easier to see in our hardware coverage.
Five Predictions for the iPad mini Cycle
These are my own forecasts, not reported facts, and I flag them as such.
- Reviews will focus on the 60Hz screen. TechRadar and 9to5Google both raised it before any hands-on testing. Expect it to be the most repeated complaint in full reviews.
- The 256GB model will outsell the base model. The $100 step buys back the storage shortfall and unlocks Nano-Texture, so value-minded buyers will move up.
- Android makers will cut OLED tablet prices. With Apple at $699 and an Android rival matching it at higher storage tiers, competitors have room to undercut.
- A teardown will settle the RAM question within weeks. Apple has not published the figure, and teardown shops usually publish within days of retail availability.
- Apple will keep the 120Hz feature for higher-end tablets. The company has kept it to the iPad Pro, and nothing in this launch suggests a change.
What We Still Do Not Know
Several details remain open. Apple has not confirmed RAM, and no battery capacity appears in the sources I reviewed. The exact US preorder date also differs between reports, with some outlets pointing to October 28 and Apple’s regional pages pointing to October 29 for preorders. Sales and deliveries are reported for November 6 in some markets. Check Apple’s US store before you plan around any of those dates.
I also have not tested the device, and neither has 9to5Google, whose review covers the RedMagic tablet instead. Claims that the new mini is a standout in daily use are opinions until independent reviews arrive. No named executive or analyst quotations were available in the verified material for this report, so I have paraphrased only what the cited outlets published.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the new iPad mini cost? The US price starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, according to Apple’s announcement. Apple also lists $58.25 a month for 12 months on the Wi-Fi model and $70.75 a month for 12 months on the cellular model.
What chip does the iPad mini use? It uses the A20 Pro. TechRadar reports Apple’s claims of up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance and 4.5x faster AI performance than the A17 Pro.
Does the new iPad mini have a 120Hz display? No. Both TechRadar and 9to5Google say the OLED panel stays at 60Hz, which leaves the iPad Pro as the only iPad with 120Hz.
Is the iPad mini water resistant? Yes. Apple gives it an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, an upgrade over the previous mini according to the launch coverage.
When can I order it? Reports differ by a day on the US preorder start, with October 28 and October 29 both cited, and deliveries are reported for November 6 in some markets. Apple’s US store page is the final word.
How does it compare with the RedMagic Astra 2? According to 9to5Google, the Android tablet has a larger 9.04-inch OLED, a 185Hz refresh rate and 12GB of RAM in its base model, and it costs $749 against Apple’s $799 for a 256GB iPad mini. Apple’s tablet is thinner at 5.4 mm and has the stronger IP67 rating.
Which storage size should I buy? The 128GB model is the cheapest entry. TechRadar calls that starting point a little disappointing, and the 256GB tier at $799 is the sensible pick for anyone storing media or games locally.
