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Apple's OLED iPad Mini Is Here: Is It Worth $699?

Apple's OLED iPad mini brings IP67 and a 2nm chip, but it is now listed from $699. Here's what's confirmed, what's missing, and whether to pre-order.

Too Soon to Tell5 min readBy HypeGale Content TeamPublished
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Apple has finally given the iPad mini the overhaul fans have asked about for years: an OLED screen, a 2nm chip and, for the first time, proper water resistance. The catch is the price. The new model is listed at $699 in the US at launch, the second increase for the mini this year. Pre-orders open on October 28 and the tablet reaches stores on November 6, so nobody outside Apple has tested it yet.

What's Actually Real Here

These are the confirmed specs from Apple's announcement on October 26, as reported by MacRumors, T3 and PhoneArena:

  • Screen: an 8.5-inch OLED panel, up from the 8.3-inch LCD on the 2024 model. Apple quotes up to 600 nits for everyday content and up to 1,200 nits for HDR, with much better contrast.
  • Chip: the A20 Pro, built on a 2nm process. Against the A17 Pro in the last mini, Apple claims up to 60% faster CPU performance, up to 2.7 times faster graphics and up to 4.5 times faster AI work. These are Apple's figures.
  • Build: 5.4mm thick and about 0.56 lb (255g) for the Wi-Fi model, down from 6.3mm and 0.65 lb. It carries an IP67 rating for water and dust, a first for the mini.
  • Audio and cameras: a new "Acoustic Display" system removes the speaker holes and plays sound through the screen. The 12MP front camera now sits on the long edge, which suits video calls in landscape.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, with Touch ID in the top button and USB-C. It works with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C).

Pricing at launch, according to PhoneArena and T3: from $699 for 128GB Wi-Fi, $799 for 256GB, $999 for 512GB, and from $849 for the 128GB cellular model. In the UK it starts at around £699. A nano-texture glass option adds about $100 on the 256GB and 512GB models. We could not confirm euro pricing from the sources we checked. As always, prices vary by retailer, region, taxes and promotions.

Where the Hype Outruns the Reality

The price has climbed fast. The 2024 mini launched at $499, rose to $599 in June, and the new one is listed from $699 in the US. That puts it close to the 11-inch iPad Air, which PhoneArena lists at around $749 after its own mid-year rise. The Air has the bigger screen; the mini has OLED and water resistance.

The cheaper models get a trimmed chip. The 128GB and 256GB versions have a 5-core CPU and a single Neural Engine. Only the 512GB model, listed at $999, gets the 6-core CPU and dual Neural Engine. If on-device AI performance is why you're interested, the headline speed claims may not apply to the version you buy.

Key details are missing. Apple has not stated the refresh rate, and MacRumors notes that its specs do not mention ProMotion, which suggests the screen may still run at 60Hz. Apple also gives no hour figure for battery life, only "all-day," while the old mini was rated at up to 10 hours. RAM has not been published either.

Fast charging costs extra. The box includes a 20W adapter, but Apple says you need a 35W or higher charger to reach 50% in about 30 minutes.

No independent testing yet. The performance, brightness and battery claims all come from Apple. Those, and how well the through-the-screen audio sounds, need real-world reviews.

Should You Pre-Order, Wait, or Buy Something Else?

  • Pre-order if you already wanted a small tablet for reading, travel, note-taking or use in the kitchen and bath, and you value OLED and water resistance. The 128GB Wi-Fi model is the sensible pick for most people.
  • Wait for reviews if battery life or a smooth high-refresh screen matters to you. Units arrive November 6, and independent reviews tend to follow soon after launch.
  • Consider the iPad Air if you mainly want a bigger screen for work or split-screen use. At current list prices the gap is small.
  • Consider last year's mini if you can find it discounted, which is common around Black Friday.
  • Skip the 512GB model unless you need the storage or the full chip for heavy AI or creative work.

FAQ

When can I buy the new iPad mini? Pre-orders open on October 28, and Apple says it launches in stores on November 6.

How much does the OLED iPad mini cost? It is listed from $699 in the US and around £699 in the UK at launch, with cellular models from $849. Prices vary by retailer, region and promotion.

Is the new iPad mini waterproof? It is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance. That covers splashes and brief accidental immersion, not swimming.

Does it have a 120Hz screen? Apple has not said. Its specs don't mention ProMotion, so assume 60Hz until reviews confirm otherwise.

Prices mentioned in this article were checked at the time of writing and are given as "from" or approximate figures where possible. Actual prices vary by retailer, region, taxes, plan and promotion, so please do not treat the figures here as final. Check the seller's own site for the current price.

Things change quickly. This article reflects what was publicly known when it was written or last updated, so details such as prices, availability, rules and product specs may have changed since. Always check the official source before you buy or decide.

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