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For two years, the only question surrounding the iPad mini was when OLED would arrive. Since October 26th, the answer has been clear, along with a device that is thinner, lighter, and, for the first time, waterproof. Here's everything Apple has officially revealed about the new iPad mini: display, chip, features, prices in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and release dates.
Apple unveiled the new iPad mini on October 26 via a press release in the Newsroom, as the first device in the round that Greg Joswiak had announced with his "Pro and tell" teaser. The official name is iPad mini (A20 Pro); in the rumor mill, it had long been known as the iPad mini 8. What the unveiling meant for buyers on the day itself is covered in the launch news with prices starting at 749 euros. All figures in this overview come from Apple's German data sheet and the configurator in the Apple Store.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | iPad mini (A20 Pro) |
|---|---|
| Display | 8.5″ OLED, Super Retina XDR, 2316 × 1512 pixels |
| Brightness | 600 nits (SDR), 1,200 nits peak (HDR), 1 nit minimum |
| Refresh rate | without ProMotion |
| Chip | A20 Pro, 5-core CPU (128/256GB) or 6-core CPU (512GB), 7-core GPU |
| Mass | 195.3 × 132.6 × 5.4 mm |
| Weight | 255g (Wi-Fi), 263g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) |
| Water and dust protection | IP67 |
| Radio | N1 with WLAN 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread; C2 modem in the cellular models |
| Storage | 128, 256 or 512 GB |
| Colours | Midnight, Polaris |
| Price Germany | from €749 |
| Pre-order | October 28, 6:10 PM |
| Sales launch | November 6 |
Design, dimensions and water protection
The casing is 5.4 millimeters thick, 14 percent thinner than its predecessor, and at 255 grams in the Wi-Fi model, 13 percent lighter. Apple calls it the lightest iPad it has ever made. The footprint remains almost the same: 195.3 × 132.6 millimeters compared to 195.4 × 134.8 millimeters for the model with the A17 Pro.
For the first time, an iPad is protected against water and dust. The iPad mini achieves an IP67 rating according to IEC 60529, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. As with all its devices, Apple points out that this protection can diminish over time and that liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
Touch ID remains in the top button, and charging is done via USB-C at speeds up to 10 Gbps. The colors are Midnight and Polaris.
Display: OLED without ProMotion
The Super Retina XDR display measures 8.5 inches, 0.2 inches larger than its predecessor. According to Apple, this is made possible by bezels that are 24 percent narrower. The resolution is 2316 × 1512 pixels, and the pixel density remains at 326 ppi.
OLED technology delivers deep blacks and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. Brightness reaches up to 600 nits in full-screen mode and a peak of 1,200 nits with HDR content; in the dark, the display can be dimmed down to 1 nit. For the 256 GB and 512 GB models, optional nano-texture glass is available to reduce reflections, and a polishing cloth is included.
ProMotion is missing. Apple's own iPad comparison explicitly states "No ProMotion technology" for the iPad mini, while it is included for the iPad Pro. A Korean leaker had predicted the 60Hz panel months in advance.
A20 Pro: The features depend on the storage capacity
The iPad mini contains the same chip as the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo, manufactured using Apple's 2-nanometer process. However, how much of that performance actually translates to performance depends on the storage capacity.
| Storage | CPU | GPU | Neural Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 5 cores (2 Super, 3 Efficiency) | 7 cores | 16-Core |
| 256 GB | 5 cores (2 Super, 3 Efficiency) | 7 cores | 16-Core |
| 512 GB | 6 cores (2 Super, 4 Efficiency) | 7 cores | Dual 16-core |
The predecessor had six CPU cores in every memory size. Apple claims up to 1.6 times the CPU and up to 2.7 times the GPU performance of the A17 Pro; the CPU figure refers to the six-core variant. Neural Accelerators in each GPU core are said to accelerate the token generation of local language models by up to 4.5 times, and Apple claims memory bandwidth more than doubles. Apple does not specify the amount of RAM.
Cameras, audio and radio
The 12MP front-facing camera with Center Stage is now located on the long side, as with other iPads. On the back, the 12MP wide-angle camera records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second; a new feature is the adaptive True Tone flash, which is particularly helpful when scanning documents.
The Acoustic Display provides the sound: woofers work through the display, while tweeters are located between the glass and aluminum casing. According to Apple, the sealed speaker enclosure contributes to achieving an IP67 rating. Two microphones record calls and video.
Apple's N1 wireless chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The cellular models use the C2 modem, which Apple claims delivers up to 50 percent faster cellular data than its predecessor. A physical SIM card is no longer accepted; the iPad mini works exclusively with eSIM. An external display with up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz can be connected via USB-C.
Battery and Charging
The battery has 18.9 watt-hours and, according to Apple, lasts up to ten hours when browsing the web or playing videos over Wi-Fi, and up to nine hours over cellular data. With a USB-C power adapter of 35 watts or higher, the iPad mini charges to 50 percent in about 30 minutes. The box contains only a one-meter USB-C cable; a power adapter is not included.
iPadOS 27, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI
The iPad mini ships with iPadOS 27. Apple Intelligence also runs in German on the device. Siri AI launches as a beta on iPadOS, but according to Apple's footnote, it is currently unavailable on iPadOS in the EU. Apple cites the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the reason, under which iPadOS falls as a designated platform service; Apple already explained in June why the DMA is blocking Siri AI on iPhone and iPad.
Switzerland is not part of the EU and is therefore exempt from the restriction. However, German is still missing from the languages offered by Siri AI: Apple lists English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. According to Apple, iPadOS 27.2 will also bring an extended display mode for external monitors to the iPad mini.
Apple Pencil, keyboard and Smart Folio
The iPad mini works with the Apple Pencil Pro (€149) and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) (€89), including a hovering function. There is still no Smart Connector; keyboards can only be paired via Bluetooth.
To complement the new case, Apple is releasing a new Smart Folio made of TechWoven in navy blue and taupe, featuring two flaps and more viewing angles. The accessory was previously mentioned in an Apple environmental data sheet. The German Apple Store has not yet listed a European price.
Prices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Prices are the same in Germany and Austria, but lower in Swiss francs in Switzerland.
| Configuration | Germany and Austria | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB, Wi-Fi | 749 € | 679 CHF |
| 256 GB, Wi-Fi | 879 € | 779 CHF |
| 512 GB, Wi-Fi | 1.129 € | 979 CHF |
| Nanotexture glass, from 256 GB | from €1,009 | from 879 CHF |
| Wi-Fi + Cellular | from €919 | from 829 CHF |
The previous model with the A17 Pro chip last cost from €679, and the cellular version from €849. It is no longer available in the configurator. Pre-orders begin on Wednesday, October 28, at 6:10 p.m., and the iPad mini will be available in stores from Friday, November 6. According to Apple, it will launch simultaneously in 36 countries and regions.
The new iPad mini compared to its predecessor
| iPad mini (A20 Pro) | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5″ OLED | 8.3″ LCD |
| Brightness | 600 nits, 1,200 nits HDR peak | 500 nits |
| Thickness | 5.4 mm | 6.3 mm |
| Weight (Wi-Fi) | 255 g | 293 g |
| CPU | 5 cores, 6 cores with 512 GB | 6 cores |
| GPU | 7 cores | 5 cores |
| Radio | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | WLAN 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Water and dust protection | IP67 | – |
| Price Germany | from €749 | last available from €679 |
From rumor to device
An OLED display for the iPad mini had been rumored since 2024, and in the fall of 2025, reports surfaced about a waterproof design and OLED technology. Both have come to pass. The new speaker design also has a counterpart in the finished device; Apple calls it the Acoustic Display.
Expectations for the chip were long focused on the A19 Pro, until Apple's own code in September revealed the A20 Pro. Regarding the price, reports went in the opposite direction: A report from October 11th suggested a price of around $799 for the US, placing it above the 11-inch iPad Air. In reality, the iPad mini starts at $699 in the US and €749 in Germany, below the iPad Air, which starts at €799 there.
Who is the iPad mini intended for?
I see the new iPad mini as the first where size is no longer the sole reason to buy it. OLED, IP67, and 255 grams are perfectly suited to situations where a small tablet shines: reading in bed, taking notes on the go, watching shows on the train, working outdoors. Anyone using a 6th generation iPad mini or older will be getting a completely different device.
The upgrade from the A17 Pro model is worthwhile primarily because of the display. Those who read a lot or use the phone in the dark will immediately notice the difference with OLED. However, those hoping for a smoother image will be disappointed, as scrolling without ProMotion remains as expected.
I would pay close attention to the configuration. The 128GB and 256GB models have one less CPU core than their predecessors; the full configuration is only available with 512GB. This hardly matters for reading, streaming, and note-taking, but it does for local AI models and demanding creative apps. The iPad buying guide will help you determine which iPad is the best fit overall.
Are you upgrading from the iPad mini with A17 Pro to the new model – or is OLED without ProMotion not enough for you to replace your old device? Let us know in the comments what you're currently using to read and draw on the go, and whether you're planning to switch.
Frequently Asked Questions: iPad mini (A20 Pro)
Pre-orders start on October 28th at 6:10 PM, it will be available in stores from November 6th.
Starting at €749 with 128 GB and Wi-Fi, €879 with 256 GB, €1,129 with 512 GB. With mobile data from €919.
No. Apple explicitly lists the iPad mini without ProMotion technology in its own comparison.
It is IP67 rated, meaning it can withstand water depths of up to one meter for up to 30 minutes. Liquid damage is not covered by the warranty.
The Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C).
No, Siri AI is not currently available on iPadOS in the EU. It works in Switzerland, but does not yet support German.
255 grams as a Wi-Fi model and 263 grams with mobile connectivity, around 13 percent less than its predecessor.
