Apple’s new iPad mini finally gets an OLED screen. The 8.5-inch tablet runs on the A20 Pro chip, adds IP67 water and dust resistance, and moves the front camera to the landscape edge. In India it starts at ₹82,900 for the Wi-Fi model and ₹1,00,900 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Pre-orders open on Wednesday, 28 October, and sales begin on Friday, 6 November.
The OLED screen and water resistance are substantial upgrades. At ₹82,900, though, this is a costly small tablet, so the size has to be the reason you want it.
iPad mini OLED price in India and availability
| Item | India price |
|---|---|
| iPad mini (A20 Pro), Wi-Fi | From ₹82,900 |
| iPad mini (A20 Pro), Wi-Fi + Cellular | From ₹1,00,900 |
| iPad mini with education pricing | From ₹76,900 |
| TechWoven Smart Folio | ₹8,500 |
| Apple Pencil Pro | ₹11,900 (₹10,900 education) |
| Apple Pencil (USB-C) | ₹7,900 (₹6,900 education) |
You can pre-order from 28 October on Apple’s India online store and in the Apple Store app. Deliveries, Apple Store stock and Apple Authorised Reseller availability start on 6 November. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and there are only two colours this time: midnight and starlight. The new TechWoven Smart Folio comes in navy blue and taupe.
The 8.5-inch OLED display
The headline upgrade is the screen. It is an 8.5-inch OLED panel at 2316×1512 and 326 pixels per inch. Apple says the bezels are 24 percent slimmer, fitting the larger display into the same small footprint as the previous mini.
Apple quotes 600 nits for full-screen SDR and HDR content, up to 1,200 nits peak for HDR, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Apple says that peak is more than twice as bright as the previous mini. The 1-nit minimum brightness matters more than it sounds if you read in bed. A nano-texture glass option, previously an iPad Pro feature, cuts glare outdoors, but it is only offered on the 256GB and 512GB models.
One thing is still missing. Apple’s spec sheet does not list ProMotion or a 120Hz refresh rate. If smooth scrolling matters to you, test one in a store before you order.
A20 Pro performance
The A20 Pro is built on a 2-nanometre process. Every model gets a 7-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, plus hardware ray tracing. The CPU and Neural Engine depend on storage, which is an unusual split for an iPad mini:
- 128GB and 256GB: 5-core CPU (2 super cores, 3 efficiency cores) and a 16-core Neural Engine.
- 512GB: 6-core CPU (2 super cores, 4 efficiency cores) and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Compared with the A17 Pro in the previous model, Apple claims up to 4.5x faster AI performance, up to 2.7x faster graphics and up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance. Apple quotes the best case for the CPU figure, which means the 6-core chip, so expect a smaller gain on the 128GB and 256GB models. For most people the extra headroom will show up in games, drawing apps and Apple Intelligence features rather than in browsing or video.
Design, IP67 rating and audio
The new mini is 5.4mm thin. It weighs 255g in Wi-Fi form and 263g with cellular, and it keeps Touch ID for unlocking. It is also the first iPad mini rated IP67, which Apple defines as a maximum depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes under lab conditions. It offers some protection against splashes, but resistance can decrease with wear and Apple’s warranty does not cover liquid damage. Keep it dry when you can.
Apple calls the new speaker system an Acoustic Display. Woofers work through the display for more bass and volume, and tweeters sit between the glass and the aluminium body. The sealed design is part of how Apple got the IP67 rating.
Cameras, connectivity and battery
The 12MP Center Stage front camera now sits on the long edge, so you look straight into it on video calls with the tablet held sideways. On the back is a 12MP Wide camera that records 4K at up to 60fps and gets an Adaptive True Tone flash.
- Wireless: Apple’s N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread.
- Cellular: Apple’s C2 modem, which Apple says is up to 50 percent faster, with eSIM.
- USB-C: USB 3 at up to 10Gb/s, with support for one external display at up to 4K and 60Hz. iPadOS 27.2 adds extended display mode for windowed multitasking.
- Battery: 18.9Wh, rated for up to 10 hours of web browsing or video on Wi-Fi (9 hours on cellular).
- Charging: up to 50 percent in about 30 minutes, but only with a 35W or higher USB-C adapter. The box includes a 20W adapter, so fast charging needs a charger you buy separately.
iPadOS 27, Siri AI and Apple Pencil
The mini ships with iPadOS 27, including Apple Intelligence and the Siri AI beta. Siri AI currently supports English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, so in India you get it in English. Our guide to Siri AI in India covers the language settings you need. Features that run on Apple’s servers come with daily usage limits, and Apple says expanded access will cost extra in the future.
Both the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) work with the new mini, so artists and note-takers who already own one of those do not need a new stylus.
Should you buy the new iPad mini?
If you want the smallest serious tablet for reading, drawing, travel or one-handed use, the new mini is a substantial upgrade on paper. The OLED panel, IP67 rating and landscape camera address several limitations of the previous model. The catch is the price. At ₹82,900 for the base model, it costs as much as many full-size tablets, and you still pay extra for fast charging and a case. The cellular version starts at ₹1,00,900.
I would choose the 256GB model if you can stretch to it, since it unlocks the nano-texture option and gives you more room for offline media. Only go for the 512GB model if you need the extra CPU core and Neural Engine for heavy creative or on-device AI work. If you are happy with the current mini and mostly read or browse, there is no urgent reason to upgrade.
FAQ
What is the iPad mini OLED price in India?
It starts at ₹82,900 for Wi-Fi and ₹1,00,900 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. With education pricing it starts at ₹76,900.
When can I buy the new iPad mini in India?
Pre-orders start on 28 October, and the tablet reaches customers and stores from 6 November.
Is the new iPad mini waterproof?
It is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, tested to a depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. Water resistance can decrease over time, and liquid damage is not covered by the warranty.
Does the iPad mini have a 120Hz display?
Apple does not list ProMotion or 120Hz for the new mini.
Does it come with a fast charger?
No. The box includes a 20W USB-C adapter. Fast charging to 50 percent in about 30 minutes needs a 35W or higher adapter, sold separately.
