The new iPad Mini has arrived with significant upgrades, including an 8.5-inch OLED display and the A20 Pro chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Despite being the lightest Apple tablet ever made at just 5.4mm thin, the starting price of $699 presents a barrier for many consumers.

Reviewers describe the device as their favorite in the Apple lineup due to its incredible display, excellent design, and strong performance. The A20 Pro chip allows the tablet to support local AI workloads and new Siri AI features, with benchmark scores indicating multitasking capabilities comparable to laptops. However, the device does not support the Magic Keyboard, limiting its utility for complex video editing or engineering tasks.

Design improvements include Acoustic Display technology that eliminates bottom speaker holes and provides IP67 water and dust resistance. The camera and microphone have been moved to the side bezel, which some users may find unusual initially. While the Nano-texture finish reduces glare effectively, it adds $200 to the cost and is considered non-essential by most.

The OLED Super Retina XDR display offers peak brightness of 1,200 nits with HDR, though it lacks the ProMotion refresh rate found on iPad Pro models. For most users outside professional video editing, these differences are minor compared to the overall quality of the screen.

Ultimately, while the iPad Mini outperforms competitors and offers better design than the iPad Air, the high price point makes it difficult to recommend broadly. At $699 for WiFi-only models, it remains a luxury item primarily suited for those willing to pay premium prices for top-tier specifications.