Apple has announced a new release of its popular tablet, the iPad mini, bringing radical improvements that include the transition to OLED screens and the integration of the new A20 Pro processor, alongside upgrades to connectivity, audio systems, and local artificial intelligence processing capabilities.
Key Display Specifications and Visual Technologies
The new tablet features an 8.5-inch OLED display, and Apple allows users to choose a Nano-texture glass layer to reduce reflections. Peak screen brightness reaches 1,200 nits, which is double the brightness of the 2024 model, while providing a sustained full-screen brightness of 600 nits for both SDR and HDR content, in addition to a high contrast ratio that ensures deeper colors.
Performance and Artificial Intelligence Capabilities
The device is powered by Apple's new A20 Pro processor, which previously appeared in the iPhone 18 Pro models, delivering a qualitative leap in task execution speed compared to the previous A17 Pro processor. The processor supports advanced artificial intelligence capabilities that allow running large language models locally on the device without complete reliance on cloud services.
Audio, Connectivity, and Device Protection Improvements
Apple introduced a new audio technology called Acoustic Display, integrating low-frequency speakers directly into the screen structure to enhance bass depth and increase volume levels. The device body has also been sealed to enhance water and dust resistance, achieving an IP67 rating. Regarding connectivity, the device includes an N1 chip to support Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread technologies, while the cellular model relies on the C2 modem, which provides data speeds up to 50% faster than the previous generation.
Cameras, Pricing, and Market Availability
The device features a 12-megapixel front-facing camera supporting Center Stage placed in landscape orientation to improve video calls, and a single 12-megapixel rear camera supporting Smart HDR 4 and 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The device is available in two colors, gold and gray, with three storage capacity options (128, 256, and 512 gigabytes), starting at a price of $700 (a $200 increase over the 2024 model). The company will launch it in markets early next November.