Apple Opens Preorders for $699 OLED iPad Mini Ahead of November Launch

Apple has opened preorders for its eighth-generation iPad Mini, with units scheduled to arrive at stores on November 6. The company introduced the device earlier this week alongside new MacBook Pro models, marking the first time the Mini line includes OLED display technology. Retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Apple are already accepting orders for the tablet.

The new Mini features an 8.5-inch OLED screen, which is the largest display in the history of the product line. Despite the increase in screen size, the device is thinner and lighter than the 2024 model. It is powered by the A20 Pro chip, which supports new Siri artificial intelligence features, including the ability to customize the assistant's voice.

Apple has integrated an acoustic display system that uses the screen and frame to produce sound with deeper bass and clearer highs. The tablet also includes IP67 water resistance and a 12-megapixel front camera positioned on the long edge to facilitate landscape video calls. Connectivity is handled by the N1 wireless chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

Cellular versions of the iPad Mini utilize Apple's C2 modem. The company states this component provides cellular speeds up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation. The base Wi-Fi model with 128GB of storage is priced at $699. Buyers can select either black or a creamy white finish.

Best Buy is including a $50 e-gift card with each preordered unit. Increasing storage to 256GB adds $100 to the cost, while the 512GB version is priced at $999. The 512GB model includes a six-core CPU, whereas the lower-storage versions use a five-core processor.

Customers opting for cellular service can preorder the 128GB model starting at $849 at Amazon, B&H Photo, and Apple. The 256GB cellular version costs $949, and the 512GB cellular model is priced at $1,149. Apple also offers a glare-reducing nano-texture display option for the 256GB and 512GB Wi-Fi models, starting at $899 and $1,099 respectively.

Those selecting the LTE configuration with the nano-texture display will pay $1,049 for the 256GB model and $1,249 for the 512GB model. The Verge has not yet tested the hardware but plans to publish its evaluation after attending Apple's Pro and Tell event.