Apple’s New iPad mini Gets an OLED Display, A20 Pro and Water Resistance
The compact tablet also gains a landscape camera, improved audio and a thinner design. Philippine pricing starts at ₱49,990.
Apple’s smallest iPad is getting some of its biggest upgrades yet.
The new iPad mini keeps the compact footprint that has made it a favorite for reading, travel and one-handed use, but brings a larger OLED display, an A20 Pro chip and water and dust resistance to the lineup. It is also thinner and lighter than its predecessor, measuring just 5.4 mm thin.
For those who have wanted a more capable iPad without moving up to a larger screen, this update makes a compelling case for staying small—although the Philippine starting price puts it firmly in premium territory.
A bigger, brighter OLED screen
The most noticeable change is the new 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Apple says it fits the larger screen into the same footprint as the previous iPad mini by making the bezels 24 percent thinner.
The move to OLED brings pixel-level lighting control, deeper blacks and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, along with support for the P3 wide color gamut. Peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits, which Apple says is more than twice that of the previous generation. Full-screen brightness is rated at 600 nits for SDR and HDR content.
At the other end of the scale, the display can dim to one nit—useful for reading in bed or browsing in a dark room. Apple is also offering a nano-texture display option designed to reduce glare in bright environments.
Small tablet, more powerful chip
Inside is the A20 Pro, built using Apple’s 2-nanometer process. It features a seven-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in each core and a CPU with up to six cores.
Apple says the new chip delivers up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance, up to 2.7 times faster graphics and up to 4.5 times faster AI performance than the previous iPad mini. Those are Apple’s figures, so we’ll have to see how the improvements translate to everyday use.
There is also an important difference between configurations. The 512GB model has a six-core CPU and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, while the 128GB and 256GB models have a five-core CPU and a single 16-core Neural Engine. Buyers looking at the highest storage option are therefore getting more than extra space. Apple
A tougher mini with better-placed cameras
The iPad mini now carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, making it better equipped to handle accidental splashes and exposure to dust. It is still worth treating that rating as protection against accidents rather than an invitation to take the tablet swimming.
The 12MP Center Stage front camera has moved to the landscape edge, putting it in a more natural position for video calls when the iPad is propped up horizontally. Around the back is a 12MP Wide camera with Smart HDR 4, 4K video recording at up to 60fps and an Adaptive True Tone flash that can also help with document scanning.
Apple has redesigned the audio system, too. Its new Acoustic Display pairs specially designed woofers with the display for more volume and bass, while tweeters placed between the glass and aluminum enclosure handle higher frequencies.
Faster wireless connections
The new iPad mini gains Apple’s N1 wireless chip, bringing support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Apple says the chip also improves the performance and reliability of features such as AirDrop and AirPlay.
Wi-Fi + Cellular models use Apple’s C2 modem, which the company says can deliver cellular data speeds up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation, depending on network conditions. These models use eSIM for cellular plans.
Apple Intelligence and Pencil support
The iPad mini runs iPadOS 27 and supports Apple Intelligence, including Siri AI, which Apple says is rolling out in beta. The updated assistant can use personal context and onscreen information to help with requests, while other AI features include upgraded photo-editing tools and a redesigned Image Playground.
The tablet supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), both sold separately. Pencil Pro adds features such as squeeze, barrel roll and Find My support.
Apple has also introduced a new magnetic Smart Folio, available in navy blue and taupe, with a two-panel design and adjustable viewing angles.
iPad mini price and availability in the Philippines
The new iPad mini comes in midnight and starlight. Apple’s Philippine online store lists the following starting prices for the standard display models:
| Storage | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | ₱49,990 | ₱59,990 |
| 256GB | ₱56,990 | ₱66,990 |
| 512GB | ₱70,990 | ₱80,990 |
The nano-texture display is an additional-cost option. Apple’s Philippine store currently says to check back later for availability, so the October 28 preorder and November 6 release dates announced for select markets should not be assumed to apply locally.
The new iPad mini makes a strong case for the compact tablet: it is easier to carry than a larger iPad, yet gains a noticeably more ambitious display, more power and features that make it more practical away from home.