iPad mini OLED debuts with an 8.5 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an A20 Pro chip, IP67 water resistance, and prices starting at approximately $676 (originally HK$5,299), Apple said.
iPad mini OLED arrives with Super Retina XDR
Apple said the new iPad mini OLED uses an 8.5 inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with peak brightness up to 1,200 nits and full-screen sustained brightness of 600 nits. The company listed a contrast ratio of 2,000,000 to 1, and said some storage configurations will be offered with nano texture anti glare glass.
That combination, Apple said, improves video playback, reading, and outdoor visibility compared with the previous LCD model. The company also noted the display does not include ProMotion, and the refresh rate remains 60 hertz.
Bigger screen, same pocket size
Apple narrowed the bezels by 24 percent and increased the screen from 8.3 to 8.5 inches, while keeping the overall footprint roughly the same. The body is 5.4 millimeters thick and the Wi Fi model weighs 255 grams, about 9.0 ounces, while the cellular model weighs 263 grams, about 9.3 ounces.
Daily use refinements and cameras
Apple moved the 12 megapixel Center Stage front camera to the long edge, which the company said makes landscape video calls and meetings feel more natural. The rear 12 megapixel wide camera supports Smart HDR 4 and can record 4K video at 60 frames per second.
For the first time the iPad mini carries an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, Apple said, adding protection for work in the rain or reading by a pool. Apple cautioned the rating was measured under laboratory conditions, that normal wear can reduce protection, and that liquid damage is not covered by the warranty. Users should ensure the device is dry before charging.
Performance, wireless, and software
Apple said the A20 Pro, built on a two nanometer process, delivers a 60 percent multi core CPU speed increase, 2.7 times faster graphics, and 4.5 times faster AI processing compared with the prior generation. The company said those gains smooth tasks such as video editing, image retouching, illustration, and AI features.
Wireless connectivity uses an N1 chip and supports Wi Fi 7, while the cellular model uses a C2 modem, which Apple said provides up to 50 percent faster mobile data speeds. Audio uses an Acoustic Display architecture that transmits bass through the screen, and the device runs iPadOS 27.
Pricing and availability for Hong Kong
Apple listed Hong Kong prices and availability on its regional site. The new iPad mini is available in Midnight and Starlight finishes and in 128 gigabytes, 256 gigabytes, and 512 gigabytes configurations. The Wi Fi model starts at approximately $676 (originally HK$5,299), and the Wi Fi plus cellular model starts at approximately $829 (originally HK$6,499), Apple said.
Education pricing starts at approximately $625 (originally HK$4,899). Accessories listed by Apple include the TechWoven Smart Folio at approximately $76 (originally HK$599), the Apple Pencil Pro at approximately $127 (originally HK$999), and the Apple Pencil USB C at approximately $79 (originally HK$619).
Apple said the previous generation started at HK$3,799 in Hong Kong, making the new model about HK$1,500 more expensive, roughly an increase of approximately $191 (originally HK$1,500). Preorders in Hong Kong begin Oct. 29 and the iPad mini will go on sale Nov. 6. Full specifications are listed on Apple’s Hong Kong product page, apple.com/hk/en/ipad-mini, Apple said.
Apple is the source for the technical specifications and pricing listed in this article.
