ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The new iPad Mini is available for pre-order starting at $699.
- Aside from a new A20 Pro processor and OLED display, the iPad Mini features IP67 rating.
- Apple made the Mini more portable with a thinner and lighter design.
The new iPad Mini features some intriguing improvements over the previous model, including an OLED screen with a glare reduction feature, but one of them makes it stand out from the entire iPad lineup.
Also: Apple’s OLED iPad Mini is the upgrade I’ve been waiting for
In a first for any iPad model, the iPad Mini features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, arguably the biggest upgrade we’ve seen in years. An iPad with an IP67 rating isn’t going to swim in the pool with you, but it will make it more versatile in wet conditions than any other iPad.
Scenarios where IP67 rating comes in handy
The iPad base model and the iPad Mini have long been used by kids and teenagers, which tend to be the tablets’ rowdiest users. With two out of three kids in my home having their own iPads, I’ve endured the struggle of quickly wiping down a wet iPad before liquid gets into the ports and speakers. In fact, I suffered a such a shock on the very day of this iPad Mini’s launch, when my 5-year-old spilled a cup of juice on my older kid’s iPad 10.
The IP67 rating buys you peace of mind when you use your iPad Mini in any environment where it may be exposed to water — like reading or streaming poolside, using it for recipes in the kitchen, or traveling outdoors.
The added versatility only adds to the iPad Mini’s portability. Already Apple’s smallest iPad, the Mini is an 8.5-inch tablet that is light but surprisingly powerful, thanks to the A20 Pro chip inside.
Apple also made the iPad Mini lighter and thinner, adding to the sense of portability. The latest generation is only 5.4mm thick and 255g, while the previous model was 6.3mm and 293g.
Also: The 5 best iPads: Expert tested and reviewed
The newest iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and Apple moved the front-facing camera from the portrait edge to the landscape edge to better accommodate video calls.
The iPad mini starts at $699, a $200 price increase compared to the 2024 model’s starting price of $499. It will be available for preorder on October 28, with orders shipping on November 6.
