Apple is once again refreshing its compact tablet lineup with a redesigned model that brings significant hardware upgrades to its smallest form factor. The latest iPad mini introduces an 8.5-inch OLED display, replacing the older Liquid Retina LCD panels found on previous generations. While the physical footprint remains largely the same, Apple managed to trim the thickness down from 6.3mm to 5.4mm, bringing it closer to the slim profile of the iPad Pro.
Beyond the screen upgrade, the new device features notable internal and external adjustments. Apple removed traditional speaker holes entirely, opting for an "Acoustic Display" where the speakers are hidden beneath the screen. This design choice gives the tablet IP67 water and dust resistance, allowing it to survive at depths of up to three feet for 30 minutes. Users testing the device have noted that the hidden speaker setup transmits noticeable bass vibrations directly into the palms during playback. Performance-wise, the tablet runs on an upgraded chip, though storage configurations vary in core counts for AI processing tasks.
The updated model also relocates the 12-megapixel Center Stage camera to the landscape edge to better accommodate folio-based video calls. Additionally, the device supports the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, though older styluses remain incompatible. Starting at $699 for the 128GB base model, the new iPad mini is currently available for preorder ahead of its official shipping date.
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