New iPad mini 2026: Should You Upgrade? What’s Better and What’s Missing
An OLED screen, a much faster chip and water resistance make this the biggest iPad mini update ever. The price jumped too. Here is how to decide if it is worth it for you.
Usama Karim· 8 min read
Quick answer: The new iPad mini (A20 Pro) has a larger 8.5-inch OLED screen, a 2nm A20 Pro chip, IP67 water and dust resistance, Wi-Fi 7 and a thinner 5.4 mm body. It starts at $699 for Wi-Fi and $849 for cellular, and ships on November 6, 2026. It is a big upgrade if you have an iPad mini 6 or older, read outdoors, or want a tablet you can use near water. If you bought the A17 Pro iPad mini, the gain is real but probably not worth $699, especially since the new screen still is not 120Hz.
Apple called this “the biggest update ever” for the iPad mini, and for once the marketing line is fair. The small iPad finally gets an OLED display, a chip two generations newer, and water resistance, which no iPad has had before.
It also costs a lot more than it used to. The iPad mini launched in 2024 at $499, rose to $599 in June 2026, and the new model starts at $699. So the question is not only “is it better?” but “is it $699 better for what you do?”
This is a buying guide based on Apple’s official specifications, the launch announcement and early reporting. I have not tested a unit, so I avoid claims about battery life or how the screen looks in person beyond what Apple has published.
What is new at a glance
| iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024) | iPad mini (A20 Pro, 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.3-inch LCD (Liquid Retina) | 8.5-inch OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Peak brightness | 500 nits | Up to 1,200 nits (600 nits full screen) |
| Contrast | LCD | 2,000,000:1 |
| Chip | A17 Pro | A20 Pro (2nm) |
| Water and dust | Not rated | IP67 |
| Thickness | 6.3 to 6.4 mm | 5.4 mm |
| Wireless | Previous generation | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread (N1 chip) |
| Cellular modem | Previous generation | Apple C2 (up to 50% faster than previous) |
| Speakers | Stereo | New “Acoustic Display” design |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP Center Stage on the landscape edge |
| Starting price (US) | $499 at launch, $599 from June 2026 | $699 |
The five upgrades that matter
1. The OLED screen
This is the main reason to buy. The display grows from 8.3 to 8.5 inches without making the iPad bigger, thanks to 24% thinner borders. Apple quotes peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits, more than twice the old 500 nits, with 600 nits full-screen for both SDR and HDR content.
OLED also means deep blacks and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. For reading in bed, watching video and using dark mode, this is a visible step up from the LCD screen. There is also an optional nano-texture finish to cut glare, available on the 256GB and 512GB models for an extra $100.
2. A much faster chip
The A20 Pro is built on a 2-nanometer process. Apple claims up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance, up to 2.7x faster graphics and up to 4.5x faster AI performance than the previous iPad mini. Memory bandwidth more than doubles.
There is a quirk worth knowing: the 512GB model gets an extra CPU core and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. If you plan to use on-device AI features heavily or keep the iPad for many years, that top configuration has a real advantage beyond storage.
3. IP67 water and dust resistance
This is the first water-resistant iPad. IP67 means it is tested to survive being submerged up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Practical benefits: reading in the bath, using it in the kitchen, at the beach or by the pool, or surviving a spilled drink on a flight. Apple’s warranty usually does not cover liquid damage, so treat this as protection against accidents, not an invitation to swim with it.
4. Thinner, lighter, better connected
At 5.4 mm, the new mini is about 14% thinner than before, and reports put it about 13% lighter. It adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread through Apple’s N1 chip, and cellular models switch to Apple’s own C2 modem, which Apple says is up to 50% faster than the previous generation.
5. Better speakers and a landscape camera
Apple’s new Acoustic Display design pairs woofers with the display and hides tweeters between the glass and the frame. The 12MP Center Stage front camera now sits on the long edge, so video calls look right when the iPad is held sideways, the way most people use it for calls.
What is missing or worse
No buying guide is honest without this section.
No 120Hz ProMotion
The new iPad mini does not have ProMotion. Scrolling and animations still run at 60Hz, while the iPad Pro and many cheaper Android tablets go up to 120Hz. If you came from an iPhone Pro or iPad Pro, you may notice it. For reading and video, most people will not.
The price keeps rising
$699 is $200 more than the iPad mini cost at its 2024 launch. The cellular model is $849. Add Apple Pencil Pro ($129) and the new $79 TechWoven Smart Folio and you are close to $900 for the Wi-Fi model, which is iPad Air territory.
The fast charger is extra
Reports from the launch say fast charging needs a 35W adapter, which you have to buy separately. Factor that in if you do not already have a capable USB-C charger.
Only two colors
The new model comes in midnight and starlight only.
Who should upgrade
Strong yes if you have:
- iPad mini 6 (2021) or older. You get a much better screen, a chip several generations newer, Apple Pencil Pro support, water resistance and Apple Intelligence features. This is the group that benefits most.
- A habit of reading outdoors, in bright rooms or in bed. The jump from 500 to 1,200 nits peak brightness and OLED blacks makes a real difference.
- A need for a tablet near water, in the kitchen, workshop or outdoors.
Probably not if you have:
- The A17 Pro iPad mini (2024). It is fast, supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence, and will be supported for years. Unless OLED or water resistance solves a specific problem for you, $699 is a lot for those upgrades.
- A tight budget. The A17 Pro model may drop in price at retailers as stock clears. It is still a very good small tablet.
Consider something else if:
- You mainly draw or take notes. A larger iPad Air gives you more canvas for similar money once you add accessories.
- You want a 120Hz screen. Look at iPad Pro, or accept 60Hz on the mini.
What the iPad mini is actually good for
The iPad mini has always been a niche product, and that is worth remembering before spending $699. It shines in a few specific jobs:
- Reading. Ebooks, comics, PDFs and news are the mini’s natural home. It is light enough to hold in one hand for long periods, and the new OLED screen with deeper blacks makes dark mode reading much more comfortable at night.
- Handwritten notes. With Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C), the mini works like a digital notebook you can carry in a jacket pocket or small bag. Students and people who sketch ideas in meetings often prefer it to a full-size iPad.
- Travel and commuting. It fits on an airplane tray table with room to spare, and the IP67 rating makes it less of a worry around drinks and in bad weather.
- Gaming. The A20 Pro chip and faster graphics make the mini a capable handheld for iPad games. Just remember the screen still runs at 60Hz.
- Work in the field. Pilots, doctors, warehouse staff and technicians have long used the mini because it fits in a pocket or on a kneeboard. Water and dust resistance make it a better fit for these jobs than any previous model.
If none of these sound like you, a larger iPad may be more useful for the same money.
How to set up your new iPad mini quickly
When it arrives, the fastest way to move everything over from an older iPad or iPhone is Quick Start:
- Update your old iPad to the latest iPadOS version and back it up to iCloud.
- Turn on the new iPad mini and place it next to your old device.
- When the Quick Start prompt appears on the old device, follow the steps and scan the animation on the new iPad.
- Choose to transfer directly from the old device or restore from your iCloud backup.
- Keep both devices close together and plugged in until the transfer finishes.
Afterwards, pair your Apple Pencil, check your Face ID or Touch ID settings, and review Apple Intelligence options in Settings. If you are selling or giving away your old iPad, sign out of your Apple Account and erase it from Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
Which storage and model to buy
- 128GB: fine for reading, streaming and light apps, especially if you use iCloud for photos.
- 256GB: the sweet spot for most people, and needed if you want the nano-texture option.
- 512GB: for heavy offline video, large games, or people who want the extra CPU core and dual Neural Engine for AI features.
- Wi-Fi + Cellular: worth it if you travel, read on commutes, or want Find My to work without Wi-Fi. The cellular model starts at $849, $150 more than the base Wi-Fi model.
Release date, price and how to order
- Pre-orders: opened Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in 36 countries and regions including the US.
- In stores: Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Price (US): from $699 (Wi-Fi), $849 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), $649 with education pricing.
- Accessories: Apple Pencil Pro $129, Apple Pencil (USB-C) $79, TechWoven Smart Folio $79.
- Software: ships with iPadOS 27. Apple’s new Siri features are in beta with iPadOS 27.2 and are not currently available in the EU.
Tips if you buy one
- Turn on iCloud backup before you switch so your old iPad moves over cleanly with Quick Start.
- Clear space first. If your old iPad is full, my guide on freeing up storage without deleting photos applies to iPad too.
- Do not rely on IP67 forever. Water resistance can decrease over time with normal wear, and liquid damage is usually not covered by warranty.
Official sources and further reading
Specifications and prices in this guide come from Apple’s announcement and launch reporting. Check Apple’s store for pricing in your country.
- Apple gives iPad mini its biggest update ever (Apple Newsroom)
- Everything Apple announced this week (MacRumors)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro) specifications (Wikipedia)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the new iPad mini cost?
The 2026 iPad mini starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular in the US. Education pricing starts at $649. The nano-texture display option adds $100 on 256GB and 512GB models.
When is the new iPad mini released?
Pre-orders opened on October 28, 2026, and the new iPad mini arrives in stores and with customers on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Does the new iPad mini have a 120Hz display?
No. The new iPad mini has an OLED display but does not include ProMotion, so it runs at up to 60Hz like previous iPad mini models.
Is the new iPad mini waterproof?
It is water resistant, not waterproof. It has an IP67 rating, which means it is tested to survive submersion up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. It is the first iPad with a water resistance rating.
Should I upgrade from the A17 Pro iPad mini?
Most A17 Pro owners do not need to upgrade. The new model has a better OLED screen, faster chip and water resistance, but the A17 Pro iPad mini still supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence. Upgrade only if the screen or water resistance matters a lot to you.
Last reviewed on October 31, 2026. Found something outdated or a step that did not work for you? Tell me and I will update the guide.