The new iPad mini finally became official on October 26, 2026, and it got some serious upgrades, including an OLED display, the A20 Pro chip, and a thinner design. However, there are a few details that could affect your decision to buy.
Here's what to pay attention to.
Colors and cases: fewer choices and a new Smart Folio
The new iPad mini is available in only two colors: Midnight and Starlight. That's half the options the previous generation offered (the A17 Pro model from 2024 came in Blue, Starlight, Purple and Space Gray).
The iPad mini is available in Midnight and Starlight colors. | Images by Apple
The new model doesn't offer Blue and Purple anymore, and for that matter it comes in two very minimalistic colors, almost equivalent to black and white. Midnight is a tad darker than Space Gray. This is the smallest iPad mini color selection since the second generation.
On the accessories side, Apple is also making a change. The company brings the new TechWoven Smart Folio to an iPad for the first time, and replaces the polyurethane design that's been Apple's choice since 2011 and the iPad 2's Smart Cover.
The new TechWoven Smart Folio. | Image by Apple
Apple didn't announce a polyurethane alternative to the TechWoven case, which makes the iPad mini the first iPad to launch without one. The Smart Folio is available in two colors – Navy Blue and Taupe.
Recommended For You
The case also features a redesigned two-panel construction with adjustable viewing angles. It's $20 more expensive than the previous Smart Folio and is now priced at $79.
Fast charging adapter sold separately
The new iPad mini supports fast charging, but the adapter for this isn't in the box. Instead, Apple offers a 20W USB-C power adapter with the iPad mini, which will also charge it but not as quickly.
Apple's 35 W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter, sold separately. | Image by Apple
Apple highlights that 50% battery can be reached in around 30 minutes of charging, but to achieve that, you'll need a USB-C adapter that supports at least 35 W, such as Apple's 35 W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $59, sold separately.
You may want to add the $59 to the real cost of the iPad mini, especially if faster charging is important for you. Meanwhile, the iPad mini's battery is rated at 18.9 watt-hours, which Apple says can give you up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge.
Water resistance – and what it actually means
The iPad mini has an IP67 rating. | Image by Apple
The iPad mini is the first water-resistant iPad from Apple, carrying an IP67 rating. This means the iPad mini has been tested for submersion in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes (under controlled lab conditions) and should be fully "dust-tight".
This is not the standard flagship IP68 rating, but Apple indicates the protection is useful if you read by the pool or work outdoors.
The IP rating is possible thanks to the iPad mini's new Acoustic Display audio system. The new system uses woofers paired through the display, with tweeters between the glass and the aluminum enclosure, which Apple says offers a sealed enclosure helping make the IP67 rating possible.
There are a few things worth keeping in mind. Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent, and the quality of protection can degrade over time with normal wear. Also, charging a wet iPad is a big no-no.
Additionally, IP ratings are always tested with clean, fresh water. Saltwater and chlorinated pool water are a different story and can corrode electronics. If your iPad mini does take an accidental dip in the sea or a pool, your first move should be to rinse it with clean water, power it off and let it dry.
It's also important to keep in mind that liquid damage is not covered under the warranty.
Pre-order dates and price
iPad mini. | Image by Apple
The new iPad mini will be available for pre-order starting Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The device is hitting the shelves on Friday, November 6, 2026. The new TechWoven Smart Folio will be available for pre-order at the same time.
As for pricing, the iPad mini starts at $699 for the Wi-Fi model and $849 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Storage options you can pick from are 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB.
Check these out to know more about the new iPad mini
Iskra Petrova is a news writer at PhoneArena, where she covers mobile tech news and maintains the site’s device hubs with the latest leaked specs, rumors, and official details for upcoming phones. She joined PhoneArena in 2020 after three years in technical support for Microsoft Exchange, giving her practical experience with software infrastructure and troubleshooting. Iskra holds a Master’s Degree in Literature, which helps her translate complex tech details into clear, reader-friendly coverage. She is a daily Apple ecosystem user, while also closely following Sony Xperia’s camera-focused phones and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: