Apple has unveiled its new iPad mini, featuring an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip, IP67-rated water and dust resistance, and upgraded connectivity. The compact tablet starts at ₹82,900 in India, with pre-orders opening on October 28.
Announced on October 26, the new iPad mini brings significant hardware upgrades to Apple’s compact tablet lineup, alongside Apple Intelligence features powered by iPadOS 27.
The tablet will be available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants, with sales beginning November 6 through Apple Stores and authorised resellers in India.
New iPad Mini Gets an 8.5-Inch OLED Display
One of the biggest upgrades is the new 8.5-inch OLED display, replacing the smaller screen on the previous-generation model. Apple says the panel delivers higher contrast and more than twice the peak brightness of its predecessor, offering an improved experience for watching videos, gaming, reading and creative work.
An optional nano-texture finish is also available to reduce reflections in challenging lighting conditions.
Despite the larger display, the new iPad mini measures just 5.4mm thick, retaining its portable form factor. It comes in midnight and starlight finishes and carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
A20 Pro Chip Brings Faster Performance and AI Features
The new iPad mini is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, designed to improve performance across graphics-intensive applications, multitasking and AI workloads.
The processor features Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine to accelerate on-device AI processing.
Running iPadOS 27, the tablet also supports Apple’s latest Apple Intelligence capabilities and AI-powered Siri features. These tools are designed to help users access information, work with on-screen content and complete tasks using personal context.
The combination of the upgraded processor and software could make the compact tablet more useful for productivity, creative applications and AI-assisted workflows.
Upgraded Camera, Audio and Connectivity
Apple has upgraded the front camera to a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera positioned along the landscape edge, making video calls more convenient when the tablet is used horizontally.
The device also introduces Acoustic Display, an audio system designed to enhance the listening experience. Faster wireless and cellular connectivity, along with fast-charging support, round out the hardware upgrades.
The new iPad mini continues to support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). The Pro model offers features such as squeeze, barrel roll and Find My support, while the USB-C version is aimed at everyday note-taking and sketching.
Apple has also introduced a redesigned Smart Folio accessory with a lightweight, two-panel construction. It is available in navy blue and taupe.
New iPad Mini Price in India and Availability
Apple has announced the following prices for the new iPad mini in India:
- Wi-Fi model: Starting at ₹82,900
- Wi-Fi + Cellular model: Starting at ₹1,00,900
- Education pricing: Starting at ₹76,900
- Smart Folio: ₹8,500
- Apple Pencil Pro: ₹11,900
- Apple Pencil (USB-C): ₹7,900
The tablet will be available with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options.
Pre-orders open on October 28 through Apple’s website and the Apple Store app. Retail availability begins November 6 at Apple Store locations and authorised resellers.
What It Means for iPad Mini Buyers
The new iPad mini addresses several areas where the compact tablet could benefit from an upgrade, particularly display quality, processing power and durability. The OLED panel could deliver a notable improvement for media consumption, while the A20 Pro chip and updated AI capabilities may expand its usefulness beyond reading and entertainment.
However, its starting price of ₹82,900 places it firmly in the premium tablet segment. Buyers will need to weigh its portability, display quality and performance against larger iPad models that may offer more screen space for productivity.
For existing iPad mini users, the upgraded display, faster processor and water resistance represent substantial hardware changes. For first-time buyers, the decision will largely depend on whether a compact, high-performance tablet is more appealing than a larger-screen alternative at a similar price.
