What does “Everything About Apple iPad mini” cover?

It has 11 sections, starting with “The new iPad mini at a glance”, “The OLED display”, “Chip and performance” and “Design and durability”, plus 7 more sections.

How long does it take to read?

About 3 minutes. Every section is a short, self-contained card, so you can jump straight to the part you need.

Yes. The full guide is free to read on this page, with no sign-up.

When was this guide last updated?

It was last updated in October 2026.

Free guide

Everything About Apple iPad mini

The new OLED iPad mini explained: what changed, what it costs, who should buy it, and how to get the most from it

11 bite-sized sections
3 min read
Free, no signup

Short answer

A free guide to the Apple iPad mini as of October 31, 2026: the new iPad mini with A20 Pro announced on October 26, its 8.5-inch OLED display, chip and AI features, Siri AI on iPadOS 27, IP67 water resistance, Apple Pencil Pro, cameras, 5G and Wi-Fi 7, prices and release date, how it compares with the previous model and iPad Air, who should buy it, setup tips, and best uses.

Updated October 2026

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The new iPad mini at a glance

Apple announced a new iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip on October 26, 2026. It is the first iPad mini with an OLED display. Pre-orders opened on October 28, and it goes on sale on November 6.

The smallest iPad finally gets the best kind of screen.

The OLED display

Size: 8.5 inches, up from 8.3
Type: Super Retina XDR OLED with P3 wide colour and True Tone
Brightness: 600 nits full screen, up to 1,200 nits peak
Nano-texture: Optional anti-glare glass on 256GB and 512GB models
Refresh rate: Reported as 60Hz, so no ProMotion

Chip and performance

A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometre process
Apple says the CPU is up to 1.6 times and the GPU up to 2.7 times faster than the A17 Pro model
Double the memory bandwidth for AI and graphics
The 512GB model gets an extra CPU core and a dual Neural Engine

Design and durability

14 percent thinner and 13 percent lighter than before, per Apple
IP67 splash, water, and dust resistance, a first for iPad mini
Speakers built into the display, with no speaker holes
Midnight and Starlight colours

AI and software

Ships with iPadOS 27
Siri AI is in beta and English only at launch
Some server-based Apple Intelligence features have daily usage limits

Apple Pencil and accessories

Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately
Works with Bluetooth keyboards

Cameras and connectivity

12MP Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge
12MP back camera with 4K video
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread
5G on cellular models with Apple’s C2 modem and eSIM

Price and release

Wi-Fi: From $699 in the US
Wi-Fi + Cellular: From $849 in the US
Pre-orders: October 28, 2026
In stores: November 6, 2026

The previous model launched at $499, so this one costs more. Prices differ by country.

Who should buy it

Great for: Reading, note-taking, travel, pilots and field workers, and one-handed use
Think twice if: You want a big screen for split-screen work or a laptop replacement; look at iPad Air or iPad Pro
Upgrade if: You have an older LCD mini and use it daily, especially outdoors or in the dark

Set it up well

Move data from your old iPad with Quick Start
Pair your Apple Pencil by attaching it to the side
Turn on dark mode to make the most of OLED
Check Apple Intelligence and Siri settings
Add a case if you will carry it daily

Best ways to use it

An e-reader and comic reader
A handwritten notebook with Apple Pencil
A travel entertainment screen
A pocket AI assistant with Siri and AI apps
A kitchen or workshop screen, now with water resistance

The golden rule

Do not buy the iPad mini for the spec sheet. Buy it if you want a truly portable screen you will carry everywhere; if you need a bigger workspace, an iPad Air will serve you better.

OLED
A20 Pro
IP67
Pencil Pro
5G
$699
November 6

List the three things you would do most on an iPad mini, then compare it with iPad Air before you order.

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Frequently asked questions

The quick answers, if you just need the gist.

What does “Everything About Apple iPad mini” cover?: It has 11 sections, starting with “The new iPad mini at a glance”, “The OLED display”, “Chip and performance” and “Design and durability”, plus 7 more sections.
How long does it take to read?: About 3 minutes. Every section is a short, self-contained card, so you can jump straight to the part you need.
Is this guide free?: Yes. The full guide is free to read on this page, with no sign-up.
When was this guide last updated?: It was last updated in October 2026.

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