Apple has officially unveiled its latest iPad Mini, bringing an OLED display, water resistance and a faster processor to its smallest tablet. The new model arrives on November 6, with prices starting at $699, making it a significant upgrade over the previous generation, although it comes with a higher price tag.

One of the biggest changes is the display. Apple has replaced the previous model’s 8.3-inch LCD screen with a larger 8.5-inch OLED panel, promising better contrast, deeper blacks and richer colours.

The new iPad Mini also runs on Apple’s A20 chip, replacing the A17 processor found in the 2024 model. Together, these upgrades should make the tablet more appealing for everything from streaming and gaming to everyday multitasking.

Perhaps the more surprising addition is IP67 water resistance, making this the first iPad to receive an official water-resistance rating. This means the tablet is rated to withstand temporary immersion in fresh water at depths of up to one metre for 30 minutes under laboratory conditions. It’s a welcome improvement for anyone who regularly uses their iPad around the kitchen, pool or outdoors, although it doesn’t make the device completely waterproof.

Apple has also made the new Mini thinner and lighter, while moving the front-facing camera to the landscape edge. This brings it in line with other recent iPads and should make video calls feel more natural when the tablet is propped up horizontally.

Another interesting addition is Acoustic Display, a new through-screen speaker system, although we’ll have to wait for hands-on testing to see how it compares with traditional tablet speakers.

iPad Mini 8 price and release date

The new iPad Mini starts at $/£699 for 128GB, with 256GB and 512GB versions priced at $/£799 and $/£999 respectively.

Pre-orders open on October 28, ahead of its November 6 release. With a larger OLED screen, improved performance, and water resistance, this looks like one of the most substantial iPad Mini upgrades in years, even if the higher starting price makes it more expensive than before.