Apple announced a new iPad mini on Oct. 26. It starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model with 128GB. Pre-orders open Wednesday, Oct. 28, and it arrives Friday, Nov. 6.

The earlier $799 report was wrong: Apple's price is lower. See our earlier price report, now updated. Apple's current iPad mini costs $599 with 128GB, so the new one is $100 more.

What is new

  • Display: 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED in the same footprint, thanks to 24 percent thinner bezels. Peak brightness is up to 1200 nits, which Apple says is more than 2x the previous model.
  • Nano-texture option: a glare-reducing finish, as on iPad Pro.
  • Chip: A20 Pro on a 2-nanometer process, with a 7-core GPU and Neural Accelerators in each GPU core.
  • Speed claims: Apple says up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU, up to 2.7x graphics and up to 4.5x AI performance versus the previous generation.
  • Body: 5.4 mm thick, IP67 water and dust resistance, in midnight or starlight.
  • Cameras: a 12MP Center Stage front camera on the landscape edge and a 12MP rear camera.
  • Wireless: Apple's N1 chip (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread). Cellular models use the C2 modem and support eSIM.
  • Software: ships with iPadOS 27.

The 512GB model has a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple does not say the other sizes have it.

Prices

Apple's page gives starting prices, not a price for each storage size.

  • Wi-Fi, from: $699 (128GB, 256GB and 512GB are offered).
  • Wi-Fi + Cellular, from: $849.
  • Education, from: $649.
  • Today's iPad mini: $599 for 128GB, $699 for 256GB and $899 for 512GB, as we read Apple's store on Oct. 18.

Accessories: the TechWoven Smart Folio is $79, Apple Pencil Pro is $129 and Apple Pencil (USB-C) is $79. Apple's page does not name a refresh rate or the amount of memory, so we do not state either.

When to buy

Pre-orders start Oct. 28 at apple.com and in the Apple Store app, in 36 countries and regions including the U.S. Units begin arriving, and reach Apple Stores and authorized resellers, on Nov. 6.

Who should upgrade

  • Own an older mini: the OLED screen, newer chip and water resistance are the reasons to move. Apple says the new model is thinner and lighter than the last.
  • Want a cheaper mini: the current model was $599 at Apple when we last checked on Oct. 18, and retailers may cut it as the new one ships. Check prices after Nov. 6.
  • Need cellular: budget $849 or more.

Why it matters

The mini's jump to $699 puts it $50 under the $749 11-inch iPad Air we saw on Apple's site on Oct. 11. A reader who mainly wants a larger screen may still prefer the Air. The mini is for people who want OLED and a pocketable size, and who will pay the extra for it.

What we checked

We read Apple's Oct. 26 announcement for every spec and price above. The Verge and Engadget also cover the launch. Speed figures are Apple's claims, not independent tests.

Related: our Oct. 28 event guide and the October Apple release calendar.