Apple unveils redesigned iPad Mini with OLED display
- Apple announced the 2026 iPad Mini with a thinner design and OLED display.
- The device is powered by the 2nm A20 Pro chip for enhanced AI performance.
- It is the first iPad to feature an IP67 dust and water resistance rating.
- Indian pricing starts at Rs. 82,900, with pre-orders beginning October 28.
- The new model includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and a landscape-oriented front camera.
Apple unveiled an all-new iPad mini on Monday, 26 October 2026, featuring an OLED display and a thinner design. The company characterized this release as the biggest update ever for the iPad mini.
The new iPad mini introduces hardware changes to the device, which previously relied on the A17 Pro chip.
A20 Pro chip delivers massive performance gains
The new iPad mini uses the 2nm A20 Pro chip.
The 2024 model utilized an A17 Pro chip, which also supported the Apple Pencil Pro and 4K video recording. To accompany the new chip, the 2026 version features an 8.5-inch OLED display alongside enhanced AI performance.
Pricing and availability details for India
The 2026 iPad Mini carries a starting price of Rs. 82,900 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model in India, while the Wi-Fi plus cellular version costs Rs. 1,00,900. This launch price represents an increase of Rs. 33,000 over the Rs. 49,900 launch price of the 2024 model.
For comparison, the 2024 model was priced at Rs. 49,900 for 128GB Wi-Fi, Rs. 64,900 for 128GB Cellular, Rs. 59,900 for 256GB Wi-Fi, Rs. 74,900 for 256GB Cellular, Rs. 79,900 for 512GB Wi-Fi, and Rs. 94,900 for 512GB Cellular. Eligible students can purchase the device through Apple’s education savings program at a starting price of Rs. 76,900.
Pre-orders begin on October 28, 2026, through the Apple India website and the Apple Store app. The device will reach retail availability at Apple Stores and authorized resellers on November 6, 2026.
New 8.5-inch OLED display and thinner design
This replaces the 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS display of the 2024 model, which offered 2,266 x 1,488 resolution and 500 nits of peak brightness.
For the first time on an iPad, Apple has included water-resistant capabilities, with the device holding an IP67 rating. These design changes and hardware specifications will be available for pre-order starting October 28, 2026.
Hardware upgrades include Wi-Fi 7 and IP67 rating
The 2026 model includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity. These replace the Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards found on the 2024 model. The new device also features a landscape-oriented front camera, an upgrade from the portrait-oriented camera on the predecessor.
The 2026 iPad Mini uses an 18.9Wh battery compared to the 19.3Wh battery in the 2024 version. Gadgets360.com reported that the new model supports 35W wired charging. Charging speeds for the previous 2024 model were not specified by the manufacturer.
Software capabilities and market reception
The 2026 iPad Mini runs on iPadOS 27, while the 2024 model uses iPadOS 18. Gadgets360.com reported that both the 2026 and 2024 models support Apple Intelligence.
TechRepublic, Bloomberg, Gadget Review, and gHacks reported on October 26 and 27 that the new model features an OLED display and A20 Pro chip. PCMag Middle East reported on October 27 that the device includes a thinner design and a price increase. The starting price for the new iPad Mini is $699.
Frequently Asked Questions
- New iPad Mini (2026) vs iPad Mini (2024): What's New (gadgets360.com)
- Mini (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
Add NewsPulse Time as a preferred source on Google