iPad mini (A20 Pro) review: Apple’s tiny tablet gets a big update
Apple’s latest iPad mini adds an OLED screen, a new A20 Pro chip and IP67 rating, but it starts at $699.
Design and build
The 2025 iPad mini keeps the same aluminum unibody and glass front, but Apple now offers it only in “midnight” and “starlight.” The device is thinner at 5.4 mm (down from 6.3 mm) and lighter at 0.56 lb (down from 0.65 lb) for Wi‑Fi models, with the cellular versions at 0.58 lb. The screen size grows to 8.5 inches from 8.3 inches, yet the bezels are noticeably slimmer.
Display upgrades
For the first time the iPad mini uses an OLED panel. Apple claims 1,200 nits peak brightness for HDR content—twice the previous peak—and 600 nits SDR brightness, up from 500 nits. Minimum brightness can go down to 1 nit. The contrast ratio is listed at 2,000,000:1, far above the roughly 1,000:1 range of recent LCDs.
The OLED panel is paired with an optional nano‑texture glass front that scatters reflections, making it easier to view in bright light. This option is not available on the base 128 GB model; it starts at $899 for the 256 GB version, $1,049 with 5G.
Refresh rate remains at 60 Hz, unlike the 120 Hz ProMotion screens on iPad Pro models.
Durability and audio
Apple introduces an “Acoustic Display” that places tweeters and woofers beneath the display enclosure, allowing the removal of side speaker holes and earning the iPad mini an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
The new speaker system delivers stronger bass and a fuller audio profile compared with the prior generation, which the reviewer described as “positively tinny.”
Camera and security
The front‑facing 12‑megapixel Center Stage camera is now positioned on the landscape edge, aligning better with cases such as the Smart Folio. Face ID is still absent; unlocking relies on Touch ID in the power button or a PIN.
Performance
Inside the tablet sits Apple’s brand‑new A20 Pro chip, the same silicon that launched with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. The reviewer found the device “unsurprisingly speedy,” handling demanding games like the recent ports of Control and No Man’s Sky without hiccups, while lower‑intensity titles from Apple Arcade ran flawlessly.
Pricing
Base pricing starts at $699 for the 128 GB Wi‑Fi model, $200 more than the launch price of the previous iPad mini two years ago. The nano‑texture glass option pushes the price to $899 for 256 GB, or $1,049 for the 5G‑enabled variant.
Verdict
Apple has delivered a substantial hardware refresh for the iPad mini, adding an OLED screen, a new processor, better audio and IP67 protection. However, the $699 entry price places it close to an “iPad Pro mini” in cost, raising questions about value for most buyers.
