Apple Prices New OLED iPad Mini at $699 with A20 Pro Chip
Apple has announced the redesigned iPad mini, featuring an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the A20 Pro processor, and IP67 water and dust resistance, starting at $699. Preorders open on October 28, 2026, with the official launch scheduled for November 6, 2026, according to Apple and semana.com. The updated compact tablet retains the general dimensions of its predecessor while introducing narrower bezels and a thickness of 5.4 millimeters.
Performance Powered by the A20 Pro Chip
The device runs on the A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a two-nanometer process that is also utilized in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Semana.com reported that this hardware configuration supports capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. Apple’s hardware engineering vice president, Dave Pakula, stated in a press release that the A20 Pro provides a massive performance leap with Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine to supercharge artificial intelligence tasks.
Wireless connectivity receives an upgrade via the N1 wireless chip, adding support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The tablet ships with iPadOS 27 and integrates Apple Intelligence tools alongside upgraded parental controls that allow adults to manage content access, communication limits, and application schedules.
Display Technologies and Hardware Design
The 8.5-inch OLED panel achieves a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, which can drop to a single nit for low-light reading. Apple also offers an optional nanotextured glass finish to reduce glare in bright environments. Audio playback utilizes an Acoustic Display system that emits sound directly through the screen components.
For photography and video calls, the tablet incorporates a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage positioned on the longer edge of the device. The rear camera also captures at 12 megapixels, supporting Smart HDR and 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second. The device is offered in two color finishes: midnight and starlight.
Frequently Asked Questions About the iPad Mini
What are the exact release and preorder dates for the new iPad mini?
Customers can place preorders starting on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Official store availability begins on Friday, November 6, 2026, alongside the new Smart Folio case.
What is the starting price of the device?
The starting price is set at $699, which equates to approximately 2,200,000 Colombian pesos according to regional launch details reported by semana.com.
Which storage capacities are available for purchase?
Buyers can choose from three distinct internal storage configurations: 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB.