Apple rolled out its biggest update in years for its smallest tablet on November 3, 2026, according to 9to5Mac. The new iPad mini packs a much thinner and lighter chassis, a larger OLED screen, water resistance, and the powerful A20 Pro chip.
Key takeaways
- The new iPad mini drops in thickness from 6.3mm to 5.4mm and weighs 255 grams instead of 293 grams.
- It features an 8.5-inch screen housed inside 24 percent thinner bezels than the previous generation.
- Apple brings its first non-Pro OLED display to the device, alongside peak brightness up to 1200 nits.
- An IP67 water-resistance rating allows submersion in one meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
- A new Acoustic Display uses the screen itself to produce sound rather than traditional speaker grilles.
What are the main features of the new iPad mini?
The device lives up to its name by measuring 5.4mm thin and dropping weight to 255 grams, making it feel much nicer to hold. According to 9to5Mac, the 8.5-inch screen fits into a similar footprint because the bezels are 24 percent narrower. SDR brightness reaches up to 600 nits, while HDR content supports up to 1200 nits peak brightness.
Users can also pay an extra $100 on the 256GB and 512GB models to upgrade to a nano-texture display glass. This option helps cut down glare and reflections when carrying the portable tablet through different lighting conditions. Meanwhile, the A20 Pro chip powers the entire system with fast performance.
How does the iPad mini OLED screen perform?
Switching to an iPad mini OLED panel brings better colors, improved contrast, and higher brightness compared to older LCD screens. Pixel response times are significantly faster, giving smoother scrolling and reduced motion blur when swiping between home pages or looking at system animations.
There is still one major limitation because the screen does not support ProMotion, leaving it locked to a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Apple also chose an innovative Acoustic display that vibrates the glass to handle low and midrange frequencies, hiding custom tweeters between the glass and aluminum enclosure to pump out audio without standard speaker grilles.
What it means for buyers
The addition of an IP67 rating makes this the first Apple tablet with official water and dust resistance, which is useful given how easily users carry the device everywhere. While the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate frustrates testers, the combination of lighter weight, better durability, and premium display technology makes the device a massive leap forward for mobile readers and everyday users.
Frequently asked questions
The new iPad mini measures 5.4mm in thickness, which is down from 6.3mm on the previous model. It also weighs 255 grams, dropping down from 293 grams.
Yes, it features an OLED display with SDR brightness up to 600 nits and peak brightness up to 1200 nits for HDR content. It is Apple's first non-Pro iPad to feature an OLED screen.
Yes, it has an IP67 rating, meaning it can be immersed in 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. This is the first iPad to receive an official water-resistance rating.
The Acoustic Display is a new system where Apple uses the screen itself to produce sound, featuring special woofers that vibrate the display for low and midrange frequencies alongside hidden custom tweeters.
The nano-texture display upgrade costs an extra $100 and is available on the 256GB and 512GB models of the new tablet.
Based on reporting by 9to5Mac. Read the original article
