Apple just killed the cheap iPad mini. The new one has an OLED screen, survives water, and starts at $699.
Specs, prices, release date, and the big question: is the new iPad mini worth $200 more than the last one?
By A Rashwan · Cairo Times 24 · October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Apple has finally given the iPad mini the upgrade fans have begged for. On Monday, October 26, the company announced a brand-new iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display, the new A20 Pro chip, and IP67 water and dust resistance. It is the first iPad ever that you can drop in water.
There is one catch, and it is a big one. The new iPad mini starts at $699. The last model launched at $499 in 2024. So the small iPad is now $200 more expensive, and only $50 cheaper than the iPad Air.
- Price: from $699 (Wi-Fi) and $849 (cellular)
- Screen: 8.5-inch OLED, up from 8.3-inch LCD
- Chip: A20 Pro, built on 2nm
- New: IP67 water resistance, speakers built into the screen
- Pre-order: Wednesday, October 28
- In stores: Friday, November 6, in 36 countries
The OLED screen: the upgrade everyone wanted
The old iPad mini had an LCD screen, and many people complained about "jelly scrolling", where one side of the screen moves a little later than the other. The new 8.5-inch OLED display should end that story.
Apple says the screen reaches 1,200 nits at its brightest, with a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. That means real, deep blacks. The bezels around the screen are also 24% thinner, which is why the screen grew without making the iPad much bigger.
If you read or draw outside a lot, there is a new nano-texture glass option to cut glare. It costs $100 more and is only available on the 256GB and 512GB models.
One thing Apple did not mention is the refresh rate. That usually means the screen stays at 60Hz, not the smooth 120Hz ProMotion of the iPad Pro. We will confirm once reviews arrive.
A20 Pro: an iPhone-class chip in a tiny tablet
Inside is the A20 Pro, a 2-nanometer chip. Apple says the 6-core CPU is up to 60% faster than the last iPad mini. The 7-core GPU now has "Neural Accelerators", and Apple promises up to 4.5x faster AI performance.
A small detail matters here: only the 512GB model gets the 32-core Neural Engine. If you care about on-device AI, that is worth knowing before you choose a storage size.
The iPad mini ships with iPadOS 27. The new AI-powered Siri arrives as a beta in iPadOS 27.2, but Apple says it will not be available in the EU at first.
Water resistant, thinner and lighter
This is the first iPad with an IP67 rating, which means it is protected against dust and can survive being dropped in water. For a tablet that people take to the pool, the beach, or the kitchen, that is a big deal.
It is also 5.4mm thin (down from 6.3mm) and 13% lighter. And there are no speaker holes anymore. Apple calls the new system Acoustic Display: the sound plays through the screen itself.
Cameras, connectivity and charging
- Front camera: 12MP Center Stage, now on the landscape (long) edge
- Back camera: 12MP with 4K video at 60fps and Adaptive True Tone flash
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread through Apple's N1 chip
- Cellular: Apple's C2 modem, up to 50% faster, eSIM only
- Charging: 50% in about 30 minutes with a 35W adapter (sold separately)
- Pencil: works with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
iPad mini 2026 price list
| Model | Price (US) |
|---|---|
| 128GB Wi-Fi | $699 |
| 256GB Wi-Fi | $799 |
| 512GB Wi-Fi | $999 |
| 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular | $849 |
| Nano-texture glass (256GB / 512GB) | +$100 |
| Smart Folio (navy or taupe) | $79 |
Old iPad mini vs new iPad mini
| iPad mini (2024) | iPad mini (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 8.3" LCD | 8.5" OLED |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A20 Pro (2nm) |
| Water resistance | None | IP67 |
| Thickness | 6.3mm | 5.4mm |
| Launch price | $499 | $699 |
Is it worth $699?
👍 Buy it if…
- You read, game or take notes on the go
- You want an OLED tablet that fits in one hand
- Your current iPad mini is 2021 or older
- You use it near water (pool, kitchen, bath)
👎 Skip it if…
- You care about value: the bigger iPad Air is just $50 more
- You need a 120Hz ProMotion screen
- You bought the 2024 iPad mini and it still works well
- You want the cheapest small iPad (look for deals on the old model)
Our take: this is the best small tablet Apple has ever made. But the price jump changes who it is for. It is no longer the "cheap little iPad". It is a premium device for people who really want something small.
What else is Apple launching this week?
The iPad mini is only the start. Apple is expected to reveal more products on Wednesday, October 28, including new M6 iMacs, an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro, and the long-rumored touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro. Read our full preview of Apple's October 28 event here.
FAQ
How much is the new iPad mini?
It starts at $699 for 128GB Wi-Fi. The 256GB model is $799, the 512GB model is $999, and the 128GB cellular model is $849.
When is the new iPad mini release date?
Pre-orders open on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. It goes on sale on Friday, November 6, in 36 countries.
Does the new iPad mini have an OLED screen?
Yes. It has an 8.5-inch OLED display with up to 1,200 nits of brightness and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
Is the new iPad mini waterproof?
It is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance. That makes it the first water-resistant iPad, but water resistance is not the same as fully waterproof.
What chip is in the new iPad mini?
The A20 Pro, a 2nm chip with a 6-core CPU that Apple says is up to 60% faster than the previous iPad mini.
