Apple announced the new iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip on October 26, 2026. In the UK, pre-orders open Wednesday, October 28, and Apple says the tablet will reach customers and stores beginning Friday, November 6. The starting price is £699 for Wi-Fi and £849 for Wi-Fi + Cellular. Before ordering, check how much of the price comes from storage, mobile data, accessories, and the display option you actually want.
The new iPad mini keeps the compact footprint of the previous model while expanding the screen to 8.5 inches. It is 5.4 millimeters thin and weighs 255 grams for Wi-Fi or 263 grams for Wi-Fi + Cellular. That makes it a good candidate for reading, handwritten notes, travel, and quick tasks away from a desk.
The tradeoff is workspace. A small screen is easy to carry, but it gives you less room for a full-size keyboard, long spreadsheets, or several apps side by side. If those are your main uses, compare an 11-inch iPad or iPad Air in person before paying for the mini. Apple's UK store currently lists the standard 11-inch iPad from £429 and iPad Air from £749, so the mini is a portability choice rather than the lowest-cost way into iPadOS.
When you can, hold a demo unit in portrait and landscape, open an app you use often, and see whether text and controls feel comfortable at your usual viewing distance. A screen's diagonal measurement does not tell you whether its interface feels right in your hands.
Apple's announced UK starting prices are £699 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model and £849 for the 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The iPad mini also comes in 256GB and 512GB, and those configurations cost more. Apple lists midnight and starlight finishes. If you qualify for education savings, Apple says pricing starts at £649.
Do not stop at the “from” price. The 256GB and 512GB models can be configured with optional nano-texture display glass, which is designed to reduce glare and changes the checkout price. Compare the exact finish, storage, connectivity, and glass option in the order summary. The 512GB model also has a different chip configuration: Apple lists a 6-core CPU and Dual 16-core Neural Engine, while the 128GB and 256GB models have a 5-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine.
Use the Apple UK purchase page to confirm the price of the exact combination you want before you commit.
All three storage choices are 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Start by checking your current tablet or phone storage rather than guessing. If you mostly stream video, use cloud services, and keep a modest set of apps, the entry configuration may be enough. If you download books, shows, games, large photo libraries, or work files for trips without reliable internet, a larger tier leaves more room.
Think about the tablet’s lifespan as well: apps and offline files can grow, and the iPad mini does not offer a memory-card slot for adding storage later. The higher-capacity model's extra processor and Neural Engine cores may matter for demanding workloads, but they do not automatically make 512GB the right buy. Pay for the configuration that matches your files and apps.
Choose Wi-Fi if you will usually connect at home, work, school, or through your phone's hotspot. Wi-Fi + Cellular adds a mobile connection for places without Wi-Fi. The new model supports eSIM, which lets you activate a compatible mobile plan digitally, but carrier support and plan terms vary. Check that your UK carrier supports eSIM for this iPad and compare the ongoing data cost before choosing cellular.
Apple says the new iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 7, but getting the benefit depends on compatible network equipment and availability. A newer Wi-Fi standard does not replace checking your router, internet plan, or mobile coverage where you use the tablet.
The 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR display uses OLED, which can switch pixels on individually for deep blacks and high contrast. Apple lists up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness for HDR content and 600 nits for full-screen brightness. The optional nano-texture glass on 256GB and 512GB versions is worth considering if glare is a regular problem, especially outdoors; compare the extra cost with how often you will use it.
Apple's technical specifications rate battery life at up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or video playback, and up to 9 hours of web browsing on a mobile data network. “Up to” is a lab-tested maximum, not a promise for every day. Brightness, signal strength, app use, and video calls affect real-world runtime, so look for independent battery testing after the tablet goes on sale if battery life is your deciding factor.
The tablet has an IP67 rating in controlled tests, up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. That is water and dust resistance, not a reason to use it underwater. Apple notes that resistance can decline with normal wear and that liquid damage is not covered by the warranty.
The new iPad mini supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). In the UK, Apple lists them at £129 and £79 respectively. The new TechWoven Smart Folio is £79. These accessories are sold separately, so include them in your budget only if you will use them. Do not assume an older Apple Pencil or case fits: confirm compatibility for the exact new iPad mini model before reusing accessories.
Apple's current UK specification lists the iPad mini and a one-meter USB-C charge cable in the box; it does not list a wall power adapter. If you need one, check the retailer's package or add a compatible adapter. Apple says fast charging can reach about 50 percent in around 30 minutes with a USB-C adapter rated at 35 watts or higher, sold separately. The nano-texture option includes a polishing cloth.
For video calls, the 12MP Center Stage front camera sits on the landscape edge. If you use the tablet mostly for calls, check how it lines up on your desk and with your preferred case or stand. The rear camera is a 12MP Wide camera and supports 4K video recording.
The new mini ships with iPadOS 27 and supports Apple Intelligence. Apple describes its new Siri AI as a beta feature in iPadOS 27.2, and states that feature availability can depend on language, region, and software version. If an AI feature is central to your purchase, verify its current availability and requirements instead of treating a launch announcement as a guarantee that every feature is ready for every user.
If you need a tablet before November 6, compare models already in stock, including discounted previous-generation iPad mini units. Check the exact generation, storage, return window, and warranty; a low price on an older model may be attractive, but it will not have the new OLED screen, A20 Pro chip, or IP67 rating.
For final specifications, consult Apple's iPad mini technical specifications and its October 26, 2026 launch announcement. Those pages are the best place to confirm any change to pricing, availability, or feature requirements before checkout.
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