Apple unveiled its latest iPad mini model globally, including India, on Monday. The new version introduces significant upgrades, such as an 8.5-inch OLED screen for the first time in this lineup. It is powered by the new A20 Pro chipset and incorporates enhanced cameras along with artificial intelligence capabilities including Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support.
Design and Display Enhancements
The iPad mini features a vibrant Super Retina XDR OLED display measuring 8.5 inches with a resolution of 2316 x 1512 pixels. It supports P3 wide color and offers peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits. To reduce glare in bright environments, Apple added an optional nano-texture display. Physically, the tablet remains slim at 5.4mm thick, weighing 255 grams for the Wi-Fi model and 263 grams for the Cellular version.
Performance is boosted by the A20 Pro chip built on 2nm technology. Apple states that AI processing speed is up to 4.5 times faster than prior models, graphics performance improves by 2.7 times, and CPU multitasking enhances by 60 percent. The 128GB and 256GB variants house a 5-core CPU, while the 512GB model incorporates a 6-core CPU and 7-core GPU with dedicated Neural Accelerators for AI tasks.
Camera, Audio, and Connectivity
The tablet sports a 12-megapixel front camera optimized for landscape mode video calls and includes the Center Stage feature to keep users centered during calls. On the back, there is a 12-megapixel wide camera supporting Smart HDR 4 and capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second. For audio, Apple introduced an Acoustic Display system that uses specialized woofers and tweeters placed between the screen glass and aluminum body to project sound through the display.
Connectivity options include Apple’s N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. The Cellular model is equipped with a C2 modem supporting eSIM and promises up to 50 percent faster mobile data speeds compared to previous models. The device runs iPadOS 27 and integrates new features powered by Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
Apple has brought in its first water resistance feature to the iPad mini series, providing IP67 certification. While this offers protection against dust and water, Apple reminds users that intentional immersion in water should be avoided. Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours of video playback with an 18.9Wh lithium-polymer battery, supporting 35W wired fast charging.
Pricing in India starts at ₹82,900 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant begins at ₹1,00,900. Students can avail an education discount, reducing the price to ₹76,900. Storage options range from 128GB to 512GB, and color choices include Midnight and Starlight. Pre-bookings began on October 28, with sales launching on November 6 at Apple Stores and authorized retailers.
Apple also introduced a new Smart Folio cover priced at ₹8,500, available in Navy Blue and Taupe. Users can utilize the iPad mini with either the Apple Pencil Pro priced at ₹11,900 or the standard Apple Pencil (USB-C) at ₹7,900, adding versatility for creative or productivity tasks.
This launch solidifies Apple’s commitment to enhancing its compact tablet line with advanced AI features, improved hardware, and better durability suited for modern users requiring powerful yet portable devices.
