iPad mini 8 with OLED and A20 Pro chip, first hands-on tests and the $699 price

iPad mini 8 with OLED, A20 Pro chip and IP67 water resistance. First tests praise the screen, criticize the 60Hz refresh rate and the $699 price. Out November 6.

Ing. Calogero Bono 3 November 2026 5 min read

iPad mini 8 with OLED and A20 Pro chip, first hands-on tests and the $699 price

Apple is bringing to market the new iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED screen, A20 Pro chip and IP67 certification. First hands-on tests from MacRumors, 9to5Mac, TechRadar, Wired and The Verge arrived ahead of the November 6 launch. The verdict on the hardware is positive, but the $699 starting price and the absence of ProMotion weigh heavily. For anyone buying a tablet for personal use or fieldwork, this is an upgrade worth weighing carefully.

A few terms, before we get into the facts. OLED is a screen technology in which each pixel lights up on its own, delivering deep blacks and high contrast. ProMotion is Apple's name for 120Hz, meaning the screen refreshes 120 times per second instead of 60. IP67 indicates resistance to dust and temporary immersion in water. Nano-texture is an etched glass that reduces reflections. A20 Pro is the chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro.

What changes in the new iPad mini?

According to MacRumors, this is the biggest update to the line in 14 years. Thickness drops to 5.4 mm, weight to 255 grams from 293, making it the lightest iPad Apple has ever made. The screen grows from 8.3 to 8.5 inches thanks to thinner bezels, while the footprint stays almost the same.

According to 9to5Mac, the bezels are 24 percent thinner. Touch ID remains, with no Face ID, and the front camera moves to the long edge, as on other iPads. There are only two colors, midnight and starlight.

The OLED screen impresses, but the 60Hz does not?

The tests agree on the leap in quality. 9to5Mac reports 600 nits in SDR and 1,200 nits peak in HDR, compared with 500 nits on the previous model. Wired adds that the pixel density is 19 percent higher than any other iPad.

The limit is the refresh rate, stuck at 60Hz. The Verge writes that 120Hz matters for scrolling and zooming too, and that the Apple Pencil feels more jerky. TechRadar is more lenient, saying scrolling still feels smoother thanks to the pixel response.

Nano-texture

It costs $100 more and is available from the 256GB models up. Wired finds it excellent for reading outdoors. The Verge notes that it slightly dims the screen.

What IP67 means and how it sounds without front speakers?

It is the first iPad with IP67 certification, so it withstands immersion in one meter of water for 30 minutes. To achieve this, Apple removed the speaker grilles and introduced the Acoustic Display, with speakers under the glass and woofers that make the screen vibrate.

The sound is judged adequate. For The Verge it is roughly on par with the previous model, while for Wired it does not hold up against an iPad Air. The Verge reads the IP67 as a move aimed at field use, on a worksite or in a medical office.

How fast is it with the A20 Pro and 12GB of RAM?

The chip is the same as in the iPhone 18 Pro. According to The Verge, in tests it is about 50 percent faster than the 2024 mini in general computing and about three times faster in graphics. MacRumors reports 12GB of RAM, useful for Apple Intelligence features.

The 128 and 256GB models have 5 CPU cores, while the 512GB one has 6. 9to5Mac advises choosing the storage size based on space needs, not core count. Battery life remains around the claimed 10 hours, with fast charging at 35W.

On the iPad front, Apple is preparing three new models for 2027, according to Gurman.

Limits to know

Our sources are hands-on tests lasting a few days, almost all on 512GB units with nano-texture. Data on long-term durability, independent IP67 testing and measured battery comparisons are missing. No European prices are reported, only dollars, pounds and Australian dollars. Weight and thickness figures vary slightly between reviews.

What changes for those who work with digital tools

For a company that uses tablets in the warehouse, on a worksite or with clients, water resistance reduces the risk of damage. If you develop apps, the 60Hz screen and the excellent chip suggest testing animations and smoothness on both. Those managing device fleets need to factor in the price, up to $699 from $499 at the start of the year. With the first wave of iPhone Duo and its apps not yet ready, also check your app layouts on 8.5-inch screens. For custom projects, iOS and Android app development should take this into account.

Our take

Apple makes a good tablet and then stops halfway. Removing ProMotion from a $699 product, while bringing it to the base iPhone, looks more like a pricing decision than a technical one. Even the most enthusiastic reviews acknowledge the high price. The mini remains ideal for those who use it often and know why they want it. For everyone else, an iPad Air is still the alternative to look at before spending.

Frequently asked questions

When does the OLED iPad mini come out?

It comes out on November 6, 2026. According to TechRadar, pre-orders began on October 28. It is available in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus Cellular versions.

How much does the new iPad mini cost?

It starts at $699 for 128GB Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi plus Cellular version starts at $849. The nano-texture adds $100 and requires at least 256GB.

Does the iPad mini have 120Hz ProMotion?

No, the screen stays at 60Hz. Reviews point to this as the main drawback. The OLED still improves pixel response and scrolling.

Is the iPad mini water resistant?

Yes, it has IP67 certification. It withstands immersion in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It is not designed for underwater photos.

Is it worth upgrading from the older iPad mini?

According to MacRumors, yes, if you have a mini 6 or earlier and use it often. Owners of the A17 Pro model find fewer reasons. It depends on how much the screen, resistance and price matter to you.

What to watch for after the November 6 launch

The first tests are all brief, the real picture comes with daily use. It is worth waiting a few weeks before deciding.

Look for long-term tests of battery life and durability after a few weeks of use.
Check Italian prices, not yet listed in the sources.
Watch whether Apple brings ProMotion to the mini in future generations.

Sources

News 3 Nov 2026