Apple gives iPad mini its biggest update ever
Apple unveiled the redesigned iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display, A20 Pro chip, and IP67 water resistance, marking its largest update to date.
Apple introduced the most significant update to the iPad mini line, featuring an 8.5-inch OLED display with a nano-texture option, delivering higher contrast and over twice the peak brightness of the previous model. The device is now 5.4 mm thin, lighter, and includes an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, making it more portable and durable for outdoor or field use. The new design comes in midnight and starlight finishes, with brightness levels up to 1200 nits for HDR content and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio for improved visibility in various lighting conditions.
The iPad mini now includes the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, which boosts AI performance up to 4.5 times faster than the previous generation. The chip features a 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, a 6-core CPU for up to 60 percent faster multithreaded performance, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine in the 512GB model. Graphics performance improves by up to 2.7 times, supporting advanced gaming and 3D rendering, while unified memory bandwidth increases by over twofold for enhanced responsiveness.
Apple redesigned the front camera to a 12MP Center Stage model positioned on the landscape edge, optimized for video calls and collaboration. The 12MP Wide rear camera supports Smart HDR 4, 4K video at up to 60 fps, and an Adaptive True Tone flash for improved document scanning. Wireless connectivity has been upgraded with the N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, while cellular models feature the C2 modem for up to 50 percent faster data speeds and better power efficiency.
The iPad mini runs iPadOS 27, introducing Siri AI powered by Apple Intelligence for more conversational and context-aware interactions. New features include onscreen awareness for contextual actions, improved dictation accuracy, and tools like Clean Up and Spatial Reframing for photo editing. iPadOS 27.2 adds extended display mode for multitasking with external monitors, while parental controls offer expanded management options for family use.