iPad mini Gets OLED Display — Price Jumps to $699

Key Takeaways

Apple announced a new iPad mini with an OLED display and a thinner, lighter design.
The screen is now a larger 8.5-inch panel, according to The Verge.
It runs on a new A20-series processor, with reports differing on whether it's the 'A20' or 'A20 Pro'.
The starting price has increased significantly to $699 for the Wi-Fi model.

Apple has updated its smallest tablet, the iPad mini, introducing a vibrant OLED display and a faster processor. But the premium upgrades come with a steep cost: the new iPad mini now starts at $699, a significant price hike that repositions the device within Apple's lineup. The new pricing was reported by both The Verge and Engadget, marking a departure from the mini's historical role as a more accessible entry point into the iPad ecosystem.

The announcement came just days before a planned Apple event, which The Verge notes is titled "Pro and tell," suggesting Apple wanted to introduce this consumer-focused update separately from its professional-grade products.

A Pro-Level Screen Comes to the Mini

The headline feature is the screen. Apple has swapped the previous generation's LCD for an OLED panel, a technology long used in iPhones that is finally making its way to the iPad line. This move brings perfect blacks, higher contrast, and more vivid colors to the mini. For users, this means a noticeably better experience for watching video, editing photos, or even just reading. The screen is also larger, growing to 8.5 inches, as reported by The Verge. That same report pegs the new device's thickness at just 5.4mm, making it thinner and lighter than its predecessor, a detail also mentioned by TechCrunch.

This is the kind of upgrade you can feel. While the previous mini's screen was adequate, it suffered from issues like "jelly scroll" that betrayed its lower-tier status. An OLED panel is a true premium feature, and its inclusion suggests Apple now sees the mini not as a budget iPad, but as a small-format premium tablet.

A Steep Price for a Small Tablet

That premium screen comes with a premium price tag. The $699 starting price for the Wi-Fi model is a tough pill to swallow for a device that once occupied a much lower price bracket. For those needing connectivity on the go, the Wi-Fi and cellular model will cost $849, according to The Verge. This new pricing structure fundamentally changes the iPad mini's value proposition. It is no longer the default small, cheap tablet.

This decision creates a significant gap in Apple's lineup. Buyers looking for an entry-level iPad will now be pushed toward the larger, base-model iPad, leaving those who specifically want a small form factor to pay a premium. The pattern indicates Apple is aligning the mini more closely with its 'Air' lineup—good features, modern design, but at a higher price than the base models.

Inside the Thinner Frame

Powering the new experience is an updated Apple silicon chip. Engadget reports the processor is the 'A20,' while TechCrunch refers to it as the 'A20 Pro.' While the exact branding is slightly inconsistent across reports, the consensus is a move to a new generation of A-series chip. This should provide a significant performance uplift for everything from gaming to multitasking, ensuring the device remains fluid and responsive for years. Combined with the thinner and lighter chassis, the new iPad mini is a dense package of power and portability.

SignalEdge Insight

What this means: The iPad mini has graduated from an entry-level device to a small, premium tablet for users who prioritize portability and screen quality above all else.
Who benefits: Power users who wanted a smaller iPad without compromising on screen technology.
Who loses: Budget-conscious consumers who loved the old mini's combination of small size and an affordable price.
What to watch: Whether a $700 starting price is too high for the small tablet market and how it affects sales of Apple's larger, less expensive base-model iPad.