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Apple calls it the biggest update in the history of the iPad mini, and the list of features certainly supports that: OLED display, water resistance, A20 Pro chip, and a thinner, lighter design. Apple unveiled the device via press release, two days before the expected media event in Los Angeles. However, the specifications also include a higher starting price and a processor limitation that only becomes apparent when looking at the configurator.
The new iPad mini arrived on Monday via a press release in the Newsroom. It had been expected together with the new Macs around the media event to which Apple is reportedly inviting guests in Los Angeles on October 28. Greg Joswiak had announced the week with his "Pro and tell" teaser. The key points largely match what had emerged over months in the overall picture of the rumors about the iPad mini 8. Apple officially lists the device, which had been expected as the iPad mini 8, as iPad mini (A20 Pro). Prices, dimensions, and chip variants come from the German data sheet and Apple's configurator.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The iPad mini (A20 Pro) has an 8.5-inch OLED display, is 5.4 millimeters thin and is IP67-rated for water and dust resistance.
- Pre-orders start on October 28th at 6:10 PM, and the device will be available in stores from November 6th.
- In Germany and Austria it costs from 749 euros, in Switzerland from 679 francs.
- The 128 GB and 256 GB models have a 5-core CPU; only the 512 GB model gets six cores and the double Neural Engine.
- Siri AI remains unavailable on iPadOS in the EU.
OLED, thinner casing and, for the first time, water protection
The display grows from 8.3 to 8.5 inches without increasing the overall size of the device. According to Apple, this is made possible by bezels that are 24 percent narrower. Instead of an LCD, the device now features an OLED panel, which Apple calls the Super Retina XDR display. It achieves 600 nits of full screen brightness and 1,200 nits of peak brightness for HDR content; in the dark, it can be dimmed down to 1 nit. Nano-texture glass is available as an option for the 256 GB and 512 GB models to reduce reflections.
ProMotion is not included. Apple's own iPad comparison explicitly states that the iPad mini has "No ProMotion technology." This confirms what a leaker had been claiming about the 60Hz display for months.
At 5.4 millimeters, the casing is 14 percent thinner than its predecessor, and the Wi-Fi model weighs 255 grams. Apple calls it the lightest iPad yet. A new feature is the IP67 rating according to IEC 60529, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. According to Apple, a sealed enclosure for the speakers contributes to achieving this rating. These speakers are housed in the new Acoustic Display: woofers operate through the display, while tweeters are located between the glass and aluminum casing.
A20 Pro: six cores only in the 512GB model
The A20 Pro is manufactured using Apple's 2-nanometer process and is housed in a package designed by Apple based on its M-series chips. The GPU has seven cores, each with a Neural Accelerator. Apple promises up to 2.7 times the graphics performance of its predecessor and up to 4.5 times faster token generation for large language models. According to Apple, memory bandwidth more than doubles.
When it comes to the CPU, it's worth taking a look at the spec sheet. The 128GB and 256GB models have a 5-core CPU with two super cores and three efficiency cores. Only the 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU with four efficiency cores and the dual 16-core Neural Engine. The predecessor with the A17 Pro had six CPU cores in every storage size. Apple's claim of up to 60 percent more multithreaded performance refers to the variant with up to six cores.
In addition, it features Apple's own N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, as well as the C2 modem in the cellular models. The 12MP front-facing camera with Center Stage is now located on the long side, while an adaptive True Tone flash complements the 12MP wide-angle camera on the back. According to Apple, fast charging with a 35W or higher power adapter brings the battery up to 50 percent in about 30 minutes.
The new model compared to its predecessor
The values are taken from Apple's data sheets for both generations; the previous price is the last valid German price.
| iPad mini (A20 Pro) | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5″ OLED, Super Retina XDR | 8.3″ LCD, Liquid Retina |
| Resolution | 2316 × 1512, 326 ppi | 2266 × 1488, 326 ppi |
| Brightness | 600 nits (SDR), 1,200 nits peak (HDR) | 500 nits |
| Mass | 195.3 × 132.6 × 5.4 mm | 195.4 × 134.8 × 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 |
Prices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Prices are identical in Germany and Austria. In Switzerland, they are significantly lower in Swiss francs.
| 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 last cost from €679, and the cellular version from €849. The entry-level price has thus increased by €70 for both variants. The iPad Air with M4 continues to start at €799, making the iPad mini the more affordable option in thecurrent iPad lineup above the entry-level iPad.
There are two colors: Midnight and North Star. Both Apple Pencil models are compatible: the Apple Pencil Pro for €149 and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) for €89. A new Smart Folio made of TechWoven in navy blue and taupe is also available, which was previously announced in an environmental data sheet. Apple's German store has not yet listed a European price for it.
Siri AI remains blocked on iPads in the EU
The iPad mini ships with iPadOS 27. Siri AI launches as a beta, but according to Apple's footnote, the feature is currently unavailable on iPadOS in the EU. This is due to the Digital Markets Act, under which iPadOS falls as a designated platform service. Apple explained the reason for the system's stuttering on iPhones and iPads due to the DMA back in June.
Switzerland is not part of the EU and is therefore exempt from the restriction. However, German is not among the languages currently supported by Siri AI: Apple lists English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Anyone in Switzerland who wants to use Siri AI must therefore switch their device to one of these languages. Apple Intelligence itself also runs in German on the iPad mini.
A real upgrade, but not a cheaper device
I consider this the most well-rounded iPad mini in years. OLED, IP67, and the lighter weight perfectly suit the situations for which one buys such a small tablet: reading in bed, on the go, by the pool, with one hand. The lack of ProMotion will annoy many. In everyday use, however, the jump from LCD to OLED is more significant than the refresh rate.
I'm less impressed with the processor pricing. Paying €749 gets you one less CPU core than the previous model, while the full configuration starts at €1,129. For typical iPad mini tasks, this difference will likely be barely noticeable. Nevertheless, I expect many users will find themselves choosing between 256 and 512 GB at this point, even if they don't actually need the extra storage.
For buyers in Germany and Austria, the price difference compared to the iPad Air remains a selling point: the smaller device now has the better display but costs less. Ultimately, whether it's the right iPad for you depends on how often you actually take it out of the house.
Is the 5-core CPU of the entry-level model sufficient for you, or would you opt for the six cores and 512 GB of storage? Let us know in the comments which configuration you're pre-ordering.
