Apple launches new iPad mini with 8.5-inch OLED display, A20 Pro chip; check India pricing

Apple unveiled its latest iPad mini, introducing an 8.5-inch OLED display, a more powerful A20 Pro processor and a slimmer design in what the company describes as its biggest upgrade to the compact tablet yet.

The new iPad mini starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi variant, while the Wi-Fi and cellular model is priced at $849. Pre-orders will open on October 28, with the device scheduled to go on sale from November 6.

The announcement comes just two days ahead of Apple's “Pro and Tell” event on Wednesday, where the company is expected to make further product announcements.

Larger OLED display, slimmer design

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, replacing the display technology used in the previous-generation iPad mini.

The new screen offers pixel-level lighting control, producing deeper blacks, improved contrast and more vibrant colours. It also supports the P3 wide colour gamut for enhanced colour accuracy.

Apple says the display can reach a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, more than double that of its predecessor. It also delivers up to 600 nits of full-screen brightness for both SDR and HDR content, alongside a contrast ratio of 2 million:1.

The company says the display is particularly suited to dimly lit environments, offering improved visual performance when watching videos, reading or working.

Despite the larger screen, Apple has made the new iPad mini thinner and lighter than the previous model. The tablet measures just 5.4 mm in thickness and will be available in two colour options.

For users who frequently work outdoors or under bright lighting, Apple is also introducing an optional nano-texture display finish designed to minimise glare. The technology was previously offered on the iPad Pro.

A20 Pro chip brings major performance boost

Powering the new iPad mini is Apple's A20 Pro chip, featuring a six-core CPU and a seven-core GPU.

According to the company, the processor delivers up to 60 per cent faster multithreaded performance compared with the previous-generation model.

The performance improvements are aimed at making everyday tasks such as photo editing, switching between applications and multitasking smoother and more responsive.

The seven-core GPU also features Neural Accelerators in each core, allowing the tablet to handle demanding AI-related workloads more efficiently.

Apple claims the new iPad mini delivers up to 4.5 times faster AI performance than its predecessor, marking a significant improvement in the tablet's ability to run artificial intelligence-powered features.

Next-generation Apple Intelligence and Siri

The new iPad mini will ship with the latest generation of Apple Intelligence and an upgraded Siri assistant.

The enhanced AI capabilities are designed to provide more personalised assistance by using relevant information from a user's personal context.

Apple says the updated Siri will be able to help users locate information, answer questions and understand content displayed on the screen.

The integration is expected to make the compact tablet more capable of handling AI-assisted productivity tasks and everyday interactions.

Improved audio, cameras and connectivity

Apple has also introduced a new feature called “Acoustic Display”, designed to deliver a richer audio experience while gaming, streaming videos or editing content.

The system incorporates specially designed woofers into the display assembly, which Apple says produce deeper bass and higher volume.

The upgraded tablet also features a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage support, allowing users to remain in the frame during video calls.

Other improvements include faster wireless and cellular connectivity, along with support for fast charging.

Price and availability in India

The new iPad mini starts at Rs 82,900 in India for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant is priced from Rs 1,00,900. The 256GB and 512GB Wi-Fi models cost Rs 94,900 and Rs 1,18,900, respectively. The tablet will be available in Midnight and Starlight colour options.

Pre-orders in India will begin at 10:40 pm IST on October 28 through Apple's official website and the Apple Store app. Sales will commence on November 6 through Apple Stores and authorised retailers across the country.