Apple’s new iPad Mini 8 adds an optional nano-texture display for the first time, letting users reduce glare in bright environments. However, the upgrade isn’t available across the entire lineup, with Apple reserving it for the more expensive 256GB and 512GB models.

The nano-texture glass costs an additional $100 in the US or £100, bringing the starting price to $/£899 for the 256GB Wi-Fi model.

That means anyone opting for the entry-level 128GB version will have to settle for the standard display. Apple also includes a polishing cloth with nano-texture configurations, which is intended for cleaning the specialised glass surface.

The new finish is designed to reduce reflections and improve visibility, particularly for users who regularly work outdoors or in brightly lit spaces. It’s a useful addition for photographers editing images in the field or anyone who finds themselves struggling with screen glare. Apple already offers nano-texture glass on the iPad Pro, although it’s limited to the more expensive 1TB and 2TB configurations, making the iPad mini the more accessible option for those wanting the same treatment.

Beyond the optional glass finish, the latest iPad mini also gets a significant display upgrade. Apple has replaced the previous LCD panel with a larger 8.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, delivering deeper blacks and up to 1,200 nits of peak HDR brightness. The screen also supports 600 nits of full-screen brightness for both SDR and HDR content, while dropping as low as 1 nit for more comfortable viewing in darker environments.

Apple hasn’t overlooked stylus support either. The new iPad mini works with the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), while also supporting Apple Pencil hover for more precise interactions when drawing, annotating documents or editing images.

The new iPad mini starts at $699/£699 for the standard-glass 128GB Wi-Fi model, with pre-orders opening on Wednesday, October 28. General availability begins on Friday, November 6.