Apple's 2026 iPad Mini gets major upgrades but carries higher price

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:15 · Archive

Apple has substantially updated its iPad Mini with an OLED display, thinner design and new processor, though reviewers question whether the higher price justifies the improvements.

Apple has released a substantially redesigned eighth-generation iPad Mini, marking what the company describes as the device's biggest update since its launch 14 years ago. The tablet features a new 8.5-inch OLED display, replacing the standard LCD screen used in previous models. This is the second iPad to receive an OLED panel, following the iPad Pro, though the iPad Mini's display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks the iPad Pro's 120Hz ProMotion technology. The screen can reach 600 nits in standard dynamic range and 1,200 nits in high dynamic range, 400 nits less than the iPad Pro. Apple also offers a nano-texture glass front option to reduce glare in bright conditions.

The new iPad Mini is both thinner and lighter than its predecessor. At 5.4mm thick and weighing 255 grams, it is the lightest iPad Apple has made, down from 293 grams in the previous generation. The overall dimensions remain nearly identical to the prior model despite the larger screen. The device retains Touch ID rather than Face ID, aligning it with the iPad Air.

Performance has been upgraded significantly with the new A20 Pro processor, released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. This represents a major leap from the previous model's A17 Pro chip, which debuted in the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro series. The iPad Mini also gains IP67 dust and water resistance rating, new speaker systems, and fast-charging capabilities, becoming the second iPad to offer the latter feature after last year's iPad Pro.

Reviewers who tested the device for approximately one week offered largely positive impressions of the hardware improvements. One described it as 'the best iPad Mini yet, and a huge leap over the previous model', while another stated 'I love this little tablet' and praised its portability during airport travel. A third reviewer noted the tablet's OLED display as 'the star attraction of the new iPad Mini', highlighting the significant step forward from LCD technology.

However, all reviewers expressed concern about pricing. One model tested with 512GB of storage and cellular connectivity cost $1,249. Reviewers consistently stated they could not recommend the purchase without reservation due to the price increase, with one noting 'I cannot in good conscience tell you to buy it' despite praising the device's quality. Another reviewer framed the question as 'who is this for', given the higher cost and the iPad Mini's historically ambiguous position in Apple's tablet lineup between iPhones and full-sized iPads.

Apple has previously stated that the iPad Mini appeals to 'small business owners, doctors, field service workers, gamers, and more'. The iPad Mini has historically been updated infrequently, sometimes going years between new versions, leading some to describe it as a neglected part of Apple's product range. The 2026 update appears to represent a significant renewed commitment to the product line, though whether the improvements justify the cost increase remains the central question among reviewers.

How it is being reported

• Hands-On: The OLED iPad Mini is Almost an iPad Pro MiniThe OLED iPad mini is launching this Friday, and we were able to test one out ahead of release. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the new iPad for about a week at this point, and he shared his initial thoughts over on YouTube. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The iPad mini 8 is the biggest update the iPad mini line has gotten since the smaller tablet first came out 14 years ago. At 5.4mm, it's 0.2mm thicker than the iPhone Duo when the Duo is unfolded, and it's almost a full millimeter thinner than the iPad mini 7 . A millimeter doesn't sound like…MacRumors · 3 Nov, 14:01
• I tried Apple’s new iPad Mini 8, and my full review leaves one big questionFrom its stunning new display to its new design, I put the new tablet’s biggest changes to the testIndependent Tech · 3 Nov, 14:00
• The 2026 iPad Mini is a terrific tiny tablet — for a big priceThe iPad Mini sometimes feels like a trap. It is, in some ways and for some people, the perfect iPad: meaningfully larger than my phone's screen but still small and light enough to use for reading in bed or gaming on the subway. As most of the rest of the iPad line has tilted ever […]The Verge · 3 Nov, 14:00
• Apple iPad Mini (2026) Review: A Dream Device, but Who Is It For?The iPad Mini’s impressive new features make it a better tablet than ever—only to be betrayed by its higher price.Wired · 3 Nov, 14:00
• iPad mini (A20 Pro) review: Apple's tiny tablet gets a big updateApple made significant improvements to the iPad mini this year, but they don't come cheap.Engadget · 3 Nov, 14:00
• I've spent a week with Apple's new iPad mini, and the OLED upgrade is everything I'd hoped forI've spent a week testing Apple's latest iPad mini, and its long-awaited OLED upgrade makes a world of difference.TechRadar · 3 Nov, 14:00

In this story: Apple · iPad Mini · The Verge · Wired · Engadget · MacRumors

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