OLED iPad Mini is The Most Apple Product They've Ever Appled
In a Nutshell
Apple's new 8th-gen iPad Mini is a complete redesign with an 8.5-inch OLED display, A20 Pro chip, IP67 water resistance via acoustic display speakers, and a dramatically thinner/lighter body, but it starts at $700 with base 128GB storage limited to a 5-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and no nanoexture option—full features require the $1,000 512GB model. Despite the OLED upgrade, the 60Hz refresh rate remains unchanged to preserve the iPad pricing ladder, and battery life is identical to the previous generation. The device is called "the most Apple product" for its innovative engineering paired with aggressive upselling tactics that force users to pay significantly more for the complete experience.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Apple has released a long-awaited update to the iPad Mini. The previous model received a chip refresh and minor jelly scrolling improvement in 2024, but remained essentially unchanged since 2021 with the 60 Hz LCD display and original design. The new eighth generation model represents a complete redesign from the inside out.
The new iPad Mini is significantly thinner and lighter, approaching movie prop levels of thinness. The device is built around a new 8.5-inch OLED display. This is the first time the smallest iPad has received an OLED screen. The display features a nanoexture finish that stops before the bezels, allowing fingers to glide smoothly across the soft-touch surface while providing better grip on the glossy bezels.
The device weighs almost exactly the same as an iPhone 18 Pro Max but stretched out. The nanoexture finish is described as excellent for reading in all types of environments and watching videos on the go.
The device includes the A20 Pro chip, the same one found in the iPhone 18 Pros. Performance exceeds what users will ever need for this iPad. Battery life remains basically unchanged from the previous generation, but the performance headroom is substantial. The device is expected to remain viable for 5-8 years without performance issues.
Extended benchmarking showed that despite the thinness, the device still spreads heat better than an iPhone. After 20 benchmark loops, the iPad Mini maintains more consistent performance and throttles less than the iPhone 18 Pro.
The base price has increased significantly from the previous $500 starting point to $700 for the new model. The base configuration includes 128GB of storage. Storage upgrade options include:
- 256GB: +$100
- 512GB: +$300
The A20 Pro chip is binned depending on storage tier. The 128GB and 256GB models receive a 5-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and single neural engine configuration. The full chip with 6 CPU cores and dual 16-core neural engine is only available in the 512GB model priced at $1,000.
The nanoexture finish option is grayed out on the 128GB model. Users must upgrade to at least 256GB storage to access the nanoexture display option. The cheapest iPad Mini with nanoexture costs $900.
Despite being a brand new OLED display with nanoexture finish, the screen remains limited to 60 Hz refresh rate. This is presented as a deliberate decision to preserve the price ladder, as the more expensive iPad Air also has a 60 Hz display.
The iPad Mini 8 is the first and only iPad with any water and dust resistance rating, achieving IP67. To accomplish this, Apple eliminated all speaker holes and developed a new "acoustic display" speaker technology. The speakers are hidden behind the display with narrow slot cutouts at the edges of the metal frame. Sound still outputs even when these slots are blocked. The audio is always directed toward the user rather than sideways.
At high volumes, users can feel the entire device vibrate like a speaker cabinet. This design may be a trial run for future iPhone models, particularly the rumored 20th anniversary iPhone redesign.
The Center Stage ultrawide webcam has been moved to the landscape edge, slightly off-center, matching other iPad models. The rear camera appears to be the same 12-megapixel single camera but with a redesigned bump to accommodate the thinner body.
Color options are Midnight and Starlight, described as slightly not black and slightly not white.
The reviewer has been a fan of smaller tablets since the Nexus 7 era, praising the one-handed reading capability and portability. The device supports all windowed app functionality of larger iPads. With cellular connectivity, it pairs well with minimal phone setups.
The 60 Hz display is identified as a personal dealbreaker, with the reviewer noting that every other display they use has higher refresh rates. The device feels smooth for 60 Hz but the difference is constantly noticeable.
Dbrand has released new iPad accessories including the Folio Grip case with a detachable magnetic folio cover and Apple Pencil storage while charging. The iPad Prism screen protector comes in pairs with each purchase. Both accessories are available for iPad Mini, regular iPad, and iPad Pro models, with a $10 discount when bundled together.
The device is described as one of the most Apple products ever created due to the combination of innovative engineering choices and restrictive pricing strategies that force users up the price ladder for full features.
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