The new 2026 iPad mini with the A20 Pro is the successor to the 2024 iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip. Instead of waiting till October 28 for its ‘Pro and Tell’ media event, Apple has dropped Newsroom posts unveiling the new iPad mini. Here’s how it compares to its predecessor.
iPad mini 2026 vs. the 2024 model
A chip bump is one of the things we all expected. The new one has the A20 Pro chip, the same as the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the 128GB or 256GB storage models have one fewer CPU core than the 512GB model and the new iPhones. The 2024 one had an A17 Pro chip, the same one on the iPhone 15 Pro.
The new iPad also has an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating. The previous version didn’t mention any official rating.
The upgraded model has an OLED display, up from LCD on its predecessor. Beyond the display technology, the screen is slightly bigger, at 8.5 inches compared to 8.3 inches.
There is also a new nano-texture display glass option if you opt for the 256GB and 512GB models. This reduces glare in bright environments, like outdoors or near the window during the day.
The 2026 version also supports fast charging, and you can charge it to 50% in 30 minutes with a 35-watt or higher adapter.
Wireless connectivity has also improved: the new one has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, up from Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the 2024 model. Cellular models also support up to 32 bands, while the previous model supported up to 31.
The 2026 iPad mini has an Acoustic Display that Apple says will provide a better audio experience than the previous model’s landscape stereo speakers.
Specially designed woofers are paired through the display to produce punchier bass and more volume. In addition, custom tweeters are now hidden between the glass and aluminum enclosure for clearer highs.
The camera is now also on the landscape side, like all other recent iPad Pro and iPad Air models. This makes video calling far better, as most people use iPads in landscape orientation.
Aside from these changes, the new iPad mini comes in only two colors: Midnight (black) and Starlight (whitish). The old one offered four options to choose from: Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight.
In the box
iPad mini includes a 20W USB-C power adapter and a USB-C charging cable in the box.
Price
The Wi-Fi version starts at $699 for 128 GB storage. The Wi-Fi + Cellular starts at $849 with the same base storage. The Nano-texture option costs $100 extra and is only available on 256 GB and 512 GB models. You get a $50 education discount when buying for students.
The 2024 iPad mini was priced more sensibly at $499 for the Wi-Fi model, and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The new 2026 models get a $200 price increase across the board, likely due to the global RAM and storage shortage.
All models support Apple Pencil Pro, which is an additional $129 burden. If you also want the new TechWoven Smart Folio (available in navy blue and taupe), then that’s $79 more.
Pre-order and availability
Pre-orders for the new 2026 iPad mini start at 10:10 a.m. on 28th October 2026. It will reach customers’ hands on 6th November. You can place your pre-order on Apple’s website at apple.com/ipad-mini
Will you be ordering one? Or is the price too much for a mini iPad?
Also, check out: 20+ features that are on iPad but not on iPhone