Apple’s 2026 iPad mini makes its biggest leap with an 8.5-inch OLED display. In TechRadar’s week-long review, the screen’s richer colors, deeper blacks and improved HDR contrast were described as a substantial improvement over the previous generation, making the tablet especially enjoyable for video, games and everyday use.
The display reaches up to 1,200 nits for HDR content and 600 nits in regular use, according to the review. An optional nano-texture finish, available on 256GB and 512GB models for an additional $100, was found to reduce reflections and glare, particularly outdoors. The screen still has a 60Hz refresh rate, however, and does not support Apple’s ProMotion technology.
The tablet is also thinner and lighter than its predecessor. TechRadar measured it at 5.33mm thick and 254g, compared with 6.35mm and 295g for the previous model. Its design remains familiar, but slimmer bezels make room for the larger display, while an IP67 rating adds water and dust resistance. The review also praised the new Acoustic Audio speaker system, which removes the speaker grilles from the exterior.
An A20 Pro chip powers the iPad mini, and the reviewer found that multitasking, photo editing, gaming and some AI features ran smoothly. Battery life came close to Apple’s stated 10-hour claim during testing. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread through Apple’s N1 chip; Cellular models add Apple’s C2 modem.
The iPad mini starts at $699 for Wi-Fi, rising to $849 for the Wi-Fi and Cellular version. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Apple began taking preorders on October 28, ahead of the tablet’s November 6 launch. The nano-texture option adds $100 and is limited to the two higher storage capacities.
TechRadar’s review also noted that the color selection is limited to Starlight and Midnight. Overall, it judged the OLED screen, portability, durability and performance to be compelling strengths, while identifying the high price and lack of ProMotion as the main areas for improvement.
Sources: TechRadar.