Apple Prices the New iPad mini at $699 With an 8.5-Inch OLED Display
Apple has set the U.S. starting price for its newly unveiled iPad mini at $699, introducing an 8.5-inch OLED screen alongside a thinner and lighter chassis. Pre-orders for the device are open now, and retail shipments will launch on Friday, November 6.
The updated model brings several physical and hardware changes to Apple’s smallest tablet line. The device features thinner bezels, an optional nano-texture matte finish, and a front-facing camera relocated to the long edge. Apple also equipped the tablet with an A20 Pro chip, alongside an “Acoustic Display” that uses woofers paired through the panel to deliver punchier bass.
Refresh Rate Remains at 60Hz Without ProMotion Support
Despite the upgrade to OLED technology, Apple has kept the iPad mini’s refresh rate capped at 60Hz rather than adopting ProMotion. While ProMotion would allow the display to dynamically scale from 10Hz to 120Hz based on on-screen content, Apple continues to keep 120Hz functionality exclusive to the iPad Pro among iPad models.
Addressing the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate in an interview with YouTuber and podcaster Christopher Lawley, Apple vice president of hardware design David Pakula defended the display’s motion performance. Pakula pointed to the inherent properties of OLED pixels as a compensating factor for the fixed 60Hz limit.
Pro Tip: When evaluating tablet displays, consider pixel response time alongside refresh rates. While 60Hz limits frame output, ultra-fast pixel response can still substantially cut down on motion blur compared to older LCD panels.
OLED panels reduce motion blur and increase contrast
Pakula emphasized that overall display fluidity involves more than a single metric. “Display experience is about more than just a single spec,” Pakula told Christopher Lawley, noting that OLED pixel response times are more than an order of magnitude faster than LCD panels. “And what that does is it makes everything really smooth. Motion blur is significantly reduced compared to LCD.”
Apple’s official technical specifications list a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio for the new iPad mini display, which maintains 326 pixels per inch and P3 wide color support. The absence of a physical backlight allows individual pixels to turn off entirely to generate true blacks, pushing peak brightness to 600 nits for standard content and up to 1,200 nits for HDR material.
iPad mini adds Wi-Fi 7 and tiered processor cores
Beyond the display improvements, the new iPad mini integrates Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip to enable Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity, according to the official Apple press release. Cellular models utilize the C2 modem system for improved wireless reliability.
The A20 Pro processor varies by storage tier, with 128GB and 256GB configurations featuring five CPU cores, while the 512GB model steps up to six cores. The device ships in starlight and midnight color options.
Frequently Asked Questions About the iPad mini Release
How much does the new iPad mini cost in the U.S.?
U.S. pricing for the new iPad mini starts at $699.
What is the screen size of the updated iPad mini?
The device features an 8.5-inch OLED display housed in a thinner and lighter body.
When will the new iPad mini be available in stores?
Pre-orders are currently open, and the device officially launches on Friday, November 6.
Does the OLED screen support 120Hz ProMotion?
No, the display refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, though Apple highlights faster pixel response times on the OLED panel to reduce motion blur.
有機EL、防水、防塵、A20Proが付いたiPad mini！【テック・AI】"the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand."― Apple VP Dave Pakula引用元：Apple公式 https://t.co/c9WvI3eqen