Apple upgrades iPad mini with A20 Pro chip and an OLED screen starting at $699

Apple has refreshed the iPad mini with its A20 Pro chip, a brighter OLED display, and a slimmer chassis, launching the tablet at a starting price of $699 for 128GB of storage. The redesigned device measures 0.21 inches thick, weighs 0.56 pounds for the Wi-Fi model, and brings an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, marking the first time an iPad has received an official Ingress Protection certification. [2][1]

The new Super Retina XDR screen replaces the previous LED panel, reaching 600 nits standard brightness and peaking at 1,200 nits for HDR content, with an optional nano-texture matte glass upgrade. However, Apple kept the refresh rate capped at 60Hz rather than adding 120Hz ProMotion. The front-facing 12-megapixel Center Stage camera moves to the landscape edge, but biometric authentication remains tied to the Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. Internally, Apple included its proprietary N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, alongside an optional C2 cellular modem. [2][1]

The $699 starting price sits $200 higher than the launch cost of the prior generation, placing the device closer to the $749 11-inch iPad Air. Engadget questioned whether higher consumer electronics prices will turn the tablet into a narrower niche, while Macworld argued that the performance, modern enclosure, and display quality justify the cost. [2][1]