Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With OLED Display and A20 Pro Chip

Apple has announced a new iPad mini featuring an 8.5-inch OLED display and the A20 Pro chip, marking a significant upgrade over the previous model. The device starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi version and $849 for the Wi-Fi and cellular model, with pre-orders beginning October 28 and availability on November 6. Source: Gizmodo Source: TechCrunch

Key Upgrades

The new iPad mini boasts a thinner profile at 5.4mm and introduces a nano-texture display option for reduced glare. It is powered by the A20 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 7-core GPU, delivering up to 60% faster multithreaded performance and 4.5 times faster AI performance than the previous generation. Source: TechCrunch The device also features an "Acoustic Display" that integrates custom tweeters between the glass and aluminum enclosure for improved audio. Source: Gizmodo The front-facing 12-megapixel camera has been moved to the landscape side, and the tablet now includes Apple's C2 modem and N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Source: Gizmodo

Display and Performance

The Super Retina XDR OLED display offers a 2 million:1 contrast ratio and peak brightness of 1,200 nits, more than double the previous model. Source: TechCrunch However, the display lacks ProMotion technology, meaning it is likely limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which may disappoint some users. Source: Gizmodo The A20 Pro chip ensures compatibility with Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI. Source: Gizmodo

Market Context

The announcement comes ahead of Apple's "Pro and Tell" event scheduled for October 28, which is expected to focus on the MacBook Pro. Source: The Verge The new iPad mini is available in two colors and starts with 128GB of storage, topping out at 512GB. Source: Gizmodo