The iPad mini has often gone for years without updates, making it feel like a forgotten part of Apple's tablet lineup. But it's often been sneaky powerful despite its size, usually toting specs and features that make it a more compelling option than the basic iPad, even with its smaller screen. And after two versions of the iPad mini without a home button, Apple has given the tiny tablet a compelling update in almost every facet.

The new iPad mini's screen is slightly larger, but the device is thinner and lighter than the one it replaces. It's the first iPad mini with an OLED display, a major step forward from the standard LCD this model has had for years. And for the first time, you can get a nano-texture glass front for reduced glare in bright light. Naturally, its chipset has been upgraded, as well — the A20 Pro inside it is brand new, just released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. The previous iPad mini made do with the A17 Pro, which was first used in 2023's iPhone 15 Pro series. It has a new speaker system and is the first iPad to have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. Finally, it's the second iPad to get fast-charging capabilities, following last year's iPad Pro.

All told, it's a major update to a device that doesn't always get a lot of love. But, of course, these improvements come at a cost. The iPad mini now starts at $699 with 128GB of storage, $200 more than the last iPad mini cost when it was released two years ago (but only $100 more than Apple was selling it for after its round of major price increases this past summer).

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