Apple has given its smallest tablet a substantial makeover, unveiling an all-new iPad mini with a larger OLED display, significantly improved performance and a remarkably thin design. The new iPad mini starts at $1,099 in Australia, with pre-orders already open ahead of its release on Friday, 6 November.
Announced on 27 October, the latest iPad mini represents one of the biggest upgrades to Apple’s compact tablet in years. The familiar 8.3-inch Liquid Retina screen has been replaced by an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, promising deeper blacks and much better contrast. Peak brightness now reaches 1,200 nits, more than twice that of the previous generation, while an optional nano-texture finish helps reduce glare.
What’s impressive is that Apple has managed to increase the screen size without making the device larger. Bezels are now 24 per cent thinner, while the entire tablet measures just 5.4mm thick. There’s also IP67 water and dust resistance, a welcome addition for anyone who regularly takes their iPad travelling.
Under the hood, Apple’s new A20 Pro chip promises a significant performance boost. Built using a 2-nanometre process, the processor delivers up to 60 per cent faster multithreaded CPU performance and up to 2.7 times faster graphics compared to the previous model. Apple is also claiming up to 4.5 times faster AI performance, reflecting how heavily the company is investing in Apple Intelligence.
The new iPad mini runs iPadOS 27, bringing Apple’s next-generation Siri AI capabilities, including improved contextual awareness and the ability to understand what’s happening on screen. Some of these features will arrive in beta with iPadOS 27.2.
There are several practical upgrades worth noting, too. The 12MP Center Stage front camera has moved to the landscape edge, making video calls more natural, while Apple’s new Acoustic Display technology promises richer audio. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 are supported, with cellular models benefiting from Apple’s new C2 modem.
For travellers, the combination of a brighter screen, improved portability and faster connectivity makes the iPad mini an interesting alternative to carrying a larger tablet. Apple has also retained support for Apple Pencil Pro, keeping the device useful for note-taking and creative work.
The new iPad mini comes in midnight and starlight, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options.
Australian pricing starts at $1,099 for Wi-Fi and $1,349 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Pre-orders opened on 29 October, with availability beginning Friday, 6 November 2026.
Headline photo supplied by Apple.
