iPad mini OLED vs. iPad mini: What's new?

Apple's latest iPad mini introduces several upgrades, but they come at a higher price. This new generation of iPad mini, powered by the powerful 5-core, 2nm A20 Pro SoC, offers significant performance improvements over its predecessor. The A20 Pro is up to 2.7 times faster in graphics and up to 4.5 times faster in AI workloads than the A17 Pro found in the previous model. Despite Apple not updating the iPad mini annually, the new model offers a notable leap in performance.

The 512GB model introduces an additional CPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI capabilities remain consistent across both models. However, the new A20 Pro SoC should be more suited for demanding on-device AI tasks.

The previous iPad mini had 8GB of RAM, and it's likely that the new model also features 12GB of RAM. Battery life remains the same, but the new iPad mini supports faster charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes with a compatible adapter. The color options have been reduced to Midnight and Starlight, and the price has increased by $200, starting at $699 for the 128GB model.

The 512GB iPad mini with cellular connectivity and nano-texture glass finish will cost $1,249, a price point that could be considered iPad Pro territory.

The most significant upgrade in the new iPad mini is the OLED panel, making it the only other iPad in Apple's lineup to feature an OLED display, aside from the iPad Pro. While the resolution remains similar to its predecessor, the new model can achieve up to 1,200 nits of peak HDR brightness. In terms of physical dimensions, the new iPad mini is thinner and lighter, measuring 5.4mm and weighing 255 grams, thanks to the thinner OLED panel.

Compared to the A17 Pro iPad mini, which is 293 grams and almost 6.3mm thick, the new model offers a substantial improvement in both thickness and weight.

The display has also been improved, featuring an 8.5-inch screen with 24% thinner bezels. However, the absence of ProMotion, a feature present in many 2026 devices, has been a point of disappointment for some users. Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering, Dave Pakula, explained during an interview with Christopher Lawley that the display experience extends beyond just a single spec.

OLED's faster pixel response time contributes to a smoother overall experience. For creative workflows involving HDR content, the new iPad mini's display will be a significant upgrade from its older counterpart.

Apple Pencil Pro support is still available, positioning the new iPad mini as a compact, color-accurate canvas for artists and designers. The tablet also includes Touch ID capabilities through its power button, and the front-facing camera is placed along the tablet's longer edge, better suited for video calls in landscape orientation.

Additional connectivity upgrades include support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Apple's new C2 cellular modem system, which promises up to 50% faster cellular data speeds. The iPad mini now features an IP67 rating for water resistance, achieved through the integration of tweeters between the glass and aluminum body and woofers firing through the display. This setup, similar to the Huawei P30 Pro's acoustic display, aims to deliver punchier bass, clearer treble, and more volume.

As with previous models, authentication remains through the power button, which includes Touch ID functionality. The front-facing camera has been repositioned along the tablet's longer edge, offering better performance for video calls in landscape orientation.

Running on iPadOS 27, the new iPad mini supports Apple's most powerful on-device AI model, providing enhanced dictation options and the ability to adjust Siri's pace and expressiveness. While only the 512GB variant receives the additional CPU and Neural Engine cores, even the lower-end storage variants benefit from a substantial performance boost compared to the A17 Pro.

With a growing library of AAA titles like Control and Death Stranding available natively on the App Store, the new iPad mini emerges as a portable powerhouse for gamers.