Apple unveiled a redesigned iPad mini Monday with an 8.5-inch OLED screen, an A20 Pro chip and water and dust resistance, setting a $699 starting U.S. price for the compact tablet.
Pre-orders open Wednesday, October 28, in 36 countries and regions, including the United States. Deliveries and store availability begin Friday, November 6, Apple said in its October 26 announcement.
The Wi-Fi model starts at $699, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular version starts at $849. Apple will offer 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage configurations in midnight and starlight finishes. The education starting price is $649.
The new model is 5.4 millimeters thick. Apple says thinner borders around the screen allow the larger 8.5-inch display to fit within the same footprint as the previous iPad mini. The OLED screen provides individual pixel lighting, and an optional nano-texture finish is designed to reduce glare.
Apple also added an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating. That does not make the device permanently waterproof: Apple says resistance is tested under controlled conditions and can decline with normal wear.
The A20 Pro chip brings a seven-core graphics processor and hardware designed for AI workloads. Apple claims up to 4.5 times faster AI performance than the previous generation. That is a company performance claim, not an independent test of the new device.
A 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera has moved to the landscape edge for video calls. The rear camera can record 4K video, and an Adaptive True Tone flash is intended to improve document scans. The tablet supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C, which are sold separately.
The wireless upgrade includes Apple’s N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Cellular models use its C2 modem and eSIM. The tablet runs iPadOS 27. Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta with iPadOS 27.2 in supported languages and regions; it is not currently available in the European Union on iPadOS.
Apple’s new TechWoven Smart Folio costs $79. Apple Pencil Pro is $129, while the USB-C Apple Pencil is $79.
JBizNews Desk | Cupertino, California
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