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On October 26, Apple announced that the 2026 iPad mini goes on sale November 6, with pre-orders opening at 2:10 a.m. Japan time on October 29, according to 4Gamer.net.
The biggest change is the display: this is the first iPad mini with an OLED display. It is 8.5 inches, a bit bigger than the previous generation, while the body is slightly smaller and thinner (about 132.6 × 195.3 × 5.4 mm; about 255 g for the Wi-Fi model). It is also the first iPad mini with water and dust resistance, rated IP67 equivalent, so it can be used where it may be splashed, though 4Gamer notes that dropping it in a bathtub would probably not be covered by the warranty.
It uses the A20 Pro, the same chip as the iPhone 18 Pro series, which 4Gamer calls the most powerful chip for iPhones at the moment, and it runs Apple Intelligence. The 128 GB and 256 GB models use a five-core CPU version and the 512 GB model a six-core one. An optional paid Nano-texture display is available, and the iPad mini supports Apple Pencil. Colors are Midnight and Starlight.
Prices, tax included, start at ¥119,800 for the 128 GB Wi-Fi model and go up to ¥196,800 for the 512 GB Wi-Fi plus cellular model. 4Gamer notes the price has risen considerably from the previous generation, reflecting the weak yen.
The insider take
4Gamer's own headline calls it the biggest evolution in the iPad mini's history. The price increase is the main drawback it points to.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net − 最新記事 (Japanese).