Apple’s first OLED iPad mini officially carries a new price tag: it starts at $699, marking a $100 (17%) jump from the former $599 base price. This marks the second price increase for the iPad mini in 2026. Wi-Fi + Cellular models also see a $100 increase, rising from $749 to $849. Education buyers now start at $649. Despite retaining the same 128GB storage starter capacity, buyers pay more—though gains like an OLED screen and upgraded internals aim to justify the change.
Major Upgrades Alongside the Price Hike
The updated iPad mini introduces significant hardware shifts. Among the biggest changes are an 8.5-inch OLED display, the new A20 Pro chip, and IP67 water and dust protection. It also brings an Acoustic Display speaker setup, the N1 wireless chip, and, for cellular versions, the C2 modem. However, buyers sacrificing color choices: the number of finishes has dropped from four to just two—Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders open on October 28, with availability starting November 6.
Earlier in 2024, Apple had kept the iPad mini’s baseline price at $499 even when doubling its base storage to 128GB. But sweeping cost pressures—particularly from memory and chip shortages—led to a raise to $599 earlier this year. The latest $100 bump arrives without a storage upgrade.
Extras and What’s Been Trimmed
New accessories match the device’s refreshed hardware—with a redesigned Smart Folio cover now costing $79, up from the previous $59. On the flip side, what Apple didn’t change: there’s no increase in base storage, and the choice of finishes is narrower.
While the price increase is noticeable, it came in lower than earlier rumors that suggested a steeper $200 jump. That suggests Apple was sensitive to expectations. But even this level of increase underscores the broader cost pressures it’s dealing with internally.
Pre-orders begin October 28, public availability starts November 6. Buyers can expect the first units to land soon after.
This latest OLED iPad mini ushers in Apple’s biggest update in years for the compact tablet. Along with upgraded internals like the A20 Pro and updated wireless chips, the shift from LCD to OLED marks a significant display upgrade. However, with a tighter color palette, maintained storage baseline, and none of the usual price lift softened by bundled perks, the value calculus gets more complex. The changes matter, especially for buyers comparing year-over-year and watching how Apple’s product line adapts amid rising component costs. What to watch next: whether demand softens after back-to-school buying, or whether competitors use this moment to undercut Apple’s premium pricing with OLED alternatives.
