Apple updates iPad Mini with larger OLED display and A20 Pro chip

Apple has announced a new iPad Mini with a larger OLED display. The company unveiled the compact tablet just days before the "Pro and tell" event, scheduled for Wednesday. The Wi-Fi-only model starts at US$ 699.

It is the most significant update to the brand's small tablet in recent years. The focus is on display quality, the latest chip and tweaks for video calls. The announcement moves the Mini to a more advanced tier within the iPad lineup.

What changes in display and performance

The central change is the adoption of OLED technology on a larger display. OLED is the screen type in which each pixel generates its own light, which in practice helps deliver deeper blacks and stronger contrast. For those who use the Mini for movies, games, photos and reading, the switch should be noticeable in daily use.

Inside, the new iPad Mini features the A20 Pro chip, which unlocks AI-powered Siri features. According to the report, support includes the ability to adjust the expressiveness and pace of the assistant's voice. That makes responses less robotic and more pleasant to hear for quick tasks.

Camera moves to the long edge

The 12MP front camera is now positioned on the long edge of the device. That way, the lens is centered when the iPad is held horizontally. According to the article, the change makes video calls easier in landscape orientation, a common position with a stand cover or when leaving the tablet on a table.

The model succeeds the seventh-generation version launched in 2024, which arrived three years after the sixth generation from 2021. That generation started at US$ 499 and was essentially a spec bump, with the A17 Pro chip, support for Apple Pencil Pro and 128GB of base storage. At the time, reviewer David Pierce called that product a new low point for the lineup.

feels like an iPad designed by a supply chain, not by someone who actually wants you to like the product.

David Pierce, in review of the previous generation

Arrives ahead of rumor-filled week

The updated iPad Mini appears ahead of a series of other possible announcements that could come this week. The article cites rumors including a touchscreen MacBook Pro, as well as MacBook Pro and iMac equipped with the M6 chip. For now, those products have not been confirmed and remain rumors only.

With a starting price of US$ 699 for the Wi-Fi-only version, the new Mini costs more at entry level than the previous generation, which started at US$ 499. The difference matches a bigger change, centered on the display and the new chip, not just an internal tweak. Details on battery, storage and availability should become clearer after the event.