# iPad mini gets an 8.5-inch OLED and A20 Pro for $699

URL: https://techaiwire.com/articles/apple-ipad-mini-oled-a20-pro-699-price-release-date/

_By Claire Whitmore - Oct 27, 2026_

**By the numbers:**

- $699 - starting price, Wi-Fi model
- 5.4 mm - thick, down from 6.3 mm
- Nov 6 - first deliveries and store availability

Apple announced a new iPad mini on October 26, 2026, with an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip and a thinner, water-resistant body. It starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model. That is $100 more than the current model's price, so Apple's smallest tablet is now a premium device rather than a budget one.

Pre-orders open on Wednesday, October 28. The first units arrive, and stores start selling it, on Friday, November 6.

## What changed

[Apple's press release](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/apple-gives-ipad-mini-its-biggest-update-ever/) calls this the iPad mini's "biggest update ever." The main changes:

| Feature | New iPad mini |
|---|---|
| Display | 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, up from 8.3 inches |
| Brightness | 600 nits full-screen, 1,200 nits peak |
| Chip | A20 Pro, built on a 2-nanometer process |
| Thickness | 5.4 mm, down from 6.3 mm |
| Weight (Wi-Fi) | 255 g, down from 297 g |
| Water and dust | IP67 rated |
| Cameras | 12MP front (landscape edge), 12MP rear, 4K video at up to 60 fps |
| Wireless | Apple N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread |
| Cellular | Apple C2 modem with eSIM |
| Colors | Midnight and Starlight |

OLED screens light each pixel on its own, so black areas are truly dark. Apple quotes a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/26/new-ipad-mini-features-release-date-price/) reports bezels that are 24 percent thinner. [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/26/apple-announces-ipad-mini-with-oled-display/) says the screen runs at 60Hz, with no ProMotion high-refresh mode mentioned.

IP67 means the tablet is sealed against dust and can survive a short dunk in water. The front camera uses Center Stage, which keeps your face in frame during video calls.

![The new iPad mini in Midnight lying flat, its OLED screen covered in water droplets](/images/covers/2026/10/apple-ipad-mini-oled-a20-pro-699-price-release-date/body-1.jpg)

*Image: Apple*

## Chip and storage

The A20 Pro comes in two versions, according to MacRumors and 9to5Mac. The 128GB and 256GB models get a 5-core CPU. The 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, the part of the chip that runs AI tasks. Every model has a 7-core GPU.

MacRumors says Apple fitted speakers that work through the display. Apple says "specially designed woofers are paired through the display to produce punchier bass and more volume." A 35W or larger charger refills half the battery in 30 minutes, per MacRumors. A 20W adapter comes in the box.

## Prices

Apple lists starting prices only.

| Item | US price |
|---|---|
| iPad mini, Wi-Fi | from $699 |
| iPad mini, Wi-Fi + Cellular | from $849 |
| Education price | from $649 |
| Nano-texture glass (256GB and 512GB only) | $100 extra |
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) | $79 |
| Apple Pencil Pro | $129 |
| TechWoven Smart Folio | $79 |

MacRumors notes the price history. The previous iPad mini launched at $499 in 2024, and Apple raised it to $599 in June 2026.

## The rest of Apple's week

Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak posted on X: "It's going to be an exciting week, and it starts with our all-new iPad mini." 9to5Mac reports that Apple has invited press to a launch on Wednesday, October 28, under the tagline "Pro and tell." Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects new M6 Macs and a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro, according to 9to5Mac. Apple has not confirmed those products.

## What this means for developers

The new iPad mini changes the screen and the price point that app makers design for.

- **Check your layouts on the larger screen.** The display grows from 8.3 to 8.5 inches with thinner bezels. Test iPad layouts in the simulator once Apple publishes the new device profile.
- **Test dark designs on OLED.** True blacks make dark themes look different, and fine gray lines can vanish. Review dark-mode screens on real hardware.
- **Do not assume 120Hz.** Reports mention a 60Hz panel, so animation tuned for ProMotion iPads will look the same as before.
- **Plan for on-device AI.** The 512GB model has more AI hardware than the cheaper ones. If your app runs models locally, test on the 128GB version too.
- **For fleet buyers, budget more.** Teams that deploy minis in shops, clinics or field work now pay $699 or more. IP67 sealing may cut repair costs in wet or dusty jobs.

The device arrives November 6. Hands-on reviews after Wednesday's event will show how the OLED panel and A20 Pro hold up in daily use.

## Sources

- [Apple gives iPad mini its biggest update ever](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/apple-gives-ipad-mini-its-biggest-update-ever/) - Apple Newsroom
- [Apple Announces New iPad Mini With 8.5-Inch OLED Display, A20 Pro Chip, and More](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/26/apple-announces-ipad-mini-with-oled-display/) - MacRumors
- [Apple unveils all-new iPad mini: OLED, thinner design, more](https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/26/new-ipad-mini-features-release-date-price/) - 9to5Mac