Apple has announced an iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display, starting at US$699 for Wi-Fi and US$849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Preorders open October 28, with availability beginning November 6. The compact tablet gets a substantial screen update, but choosing one now involves more than picking a storage capacity.
According to Apple’s announcement, the new mini keeps the previous model’s footprint while using slimmer bezels to fit the larger display. It is 5.4mm thick and comes in midnight or starlight. The 12MP front camera moves to the landscape edge, a relevant change if you expect to use the tablet horizontally for video calls.
Check the screen option before choosing storage
The technical specifications limit the 1,200-nit peak brightness figure to HDR content. Maximum full-screen brightness is 600 nits, and the screen can go down to 1 nit. The peak number is not a promise of constant brightness across everything you read or watch.
Nano-texture glass, intended to reduce glare, is an option on the 256GB and 512GB models, excluding the entry-level 128GB configuration. If that finish is the reason you’re interested, compare the eligible configurations before treating $699 as your starting price.
Storage also changes the A20 Pro configuration. The 128GB and 256GB models have a five-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine; the 512GB version has a six-core CPU and dual 16-core Neural Engines. Compare the exact configuration behind a performance claim before assuming it applies to your preferred model.
Add the accessories you actually need
The new mini supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separately at US$129 and US$79 respectively. Its new TechWoven Smart Folio costs US$79. Someone planning a tablet-and-stylus purchase should include that separate cost before comparing the mini with another device.
Charging has another small purchasing detail. Apple lists a 20W adapter in the box, while its advertised charge of up to 50 percent in around 30 minutes requires an adapter capable of 35W or higher, sold separately. Check the adapter you already have before adding another one.
The useful starting point is your intended setup: standard or nano-texture glass, the storage you need, and any pencil or cover. Price that combination when preorders open. The OLED display is the main attraction, but the entry price alone won’t tell you what your preferred mini will cost.