Apple iPad mini (2026) review
The iPad mini 2026 is a competent, over-specified update for people who already love the form factor and can justify €750 for an 8.5-inch OLED screen. Anyone shopping a compact tablet for the first time should compare it directly to the Air and base iPad; anyone with an older mini can skip this generation without missing much.
This review is based on Apple’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Apple iPad mini (2026), and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The 2026 iPad mini brings an OLED screen and A20 Pro chip to Apple's smallest tablet, making it sharper and faster than before. For most buyers, it's a modest upgrade in a form factor that already works—if you own the previous model, there's no rush; if you're shopping this size for the first time, it's competent but feels light on reasons to pick it over a regular iPad or a larger alternative at this price.
Design and build
The mini is recognizably an iPad: glass front, aluminum frame and back, IP67 rating for dust and water immersion. At 255g (Wi-Fi) and 5.4mm thick, it's genuinely small enough to hold with one hand or slip into a large jacket pocket—a genuine advantage over the Air. The form factor hasn't changed much, and there's no reason it should; if you liked the previous mini, this one feels familiar. The fingerprint sensor is top-mounted, which is practical on a landscape-held tablet. No surprises, which is fine; it's built to last.
Display
This is the generational leap. The switch to Super Retina XDR OLED at 8.5 inches, 1512x2316, and 325 ppi brings real visual benefits: blacks are true black, color volume is higher, and the 600-nit typical brightness (1200 in HDR) means it's actually usable in sunlight without the washed-out look of LCD. The 3:2 aspect ratio is narrower than older minis, which some may find jarring if they're upgrading, but it's better for web and document work. Compared to iPad Air's LCD or Android tablets in this size, the OLED is objectively richer. Whether that justness justify the price difference depends on whether you spend hours staring at it.
Performance
The A20 Pro is Apple's current flagship chip, fabricated at 2nm, and it runs circles around what Android tablets in this class have. The 128GB and 256GB models get a penta-core setup; the 512GB jumps to hexa-core, which is an odd split but ensures no bottleneck for demanding work. iPadOS 27 is smooth, multitasking is seamless, and you won't hit a wall with apps or creativeware for years. The real question is whether you need this much power on an 8.5-inch screen for reading, browsing, and light note-taking. For that, it's overkill, but if you're editing video or using it as a portable Procreate machine, the chip is ready.
Camera
Both cameras are 12MP, which feels frozen in 2021. The rear is f/1.8 with autofocus and LED flash; the selfie ultrawide at 122 degrees is fine for FaceTime. For a tablet, the rear camera matters less than on phones, but competitors are now shipping 50MP main sensors even in compact tablets. The mini's 12MP shoots 4K at up to 60fps and 1080p at 240fps, which is capable, but the sensor size and megapixel count don't inspire confidence for cropping or low-light work. Video stabilization via gyro helps, but this is an area where iPad mini feels like it's coasting.
Battery and charging
The 18.9 Wh battery is notably small, even for an 8.5-inch device. Apple hasn't disclosed charging wattage, but typical iPad fast charging peaks at 20–35W; without more detail, assume a full charge takes about an hour or more. Real-world endurance is the key unknown. A small battery paired with an OLED screen and potential 5G use could mean you're hunting a charger by mid-afternoon on heavy days, whereas larger iPads routinely hit 10–15 hours. Light users may stretch it to 8–10 hours, but this isn't an all-day guarantee if you work hard. This is the mini's clearest weakness for a 2026 flagship.
Value and verdict
At €750, the iPad mini 2026 is priced as a premium compact tablet. You're paying flagship money for an OLED screen and an overpowered chip on a form factor that hasn't fundamentally changed. The regular 11-inch iPad Air offers similar performance and a bigger screen for less money in some markets; the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is only slightly pricier and offers significantly more screen real estate. The mini makes sense if you absolutely need pocketability and don't want to settle for a phone, or if you're already invested in iPad accessories and want an upgrade. For everyone else—casual users, students, productivity-focused buyers—there's a better value elsewhere in the iPad lineup.
Verdict
The iPad mini 2026 is a competent, over-specified update for people who already love the form factor and can justify €750 for an 8.5-inch OLED screen. Anyone shopping a compact tablet for the first time should compare it directly to the Air and base iPad; anyone with an older mini can skip this generation without missing much.
- Super Retina XDR OLED display at 1512x2316 and 325 ppi is visibly sharper and more vibrant than LCD rivals, with proper contrast and 1200 nits peak brightness in HDR.
- A20 Pro with 2nm process and a hexa-core option (512GB model) keeps performance ahead of current Android tablets in its class and ensures iPadOS 27+ will run smoothly for years.
- At 255g and 5.4mm thick, it remains genuinely pocketable in a way the 11-inch iPad Air is not, which still matters for a mini.
- The 12MP rear camera is unchanged and uninspiring for a 2026 flagship tablet; rivals now pair their small tablets with 50MP+ sensors and better zoom.
- Battery capacity (18.9 Wh) is modest; real-world endurance will likely fall short of the 10+ hours typical iPads achieve, especially if you use 5G or the brighter OLED heavily.
- Starting price of €750 is steep for an 8.5-inch device, especially without a stylus, case, or keyboard bundled in.
Apple iPad mini (2026) Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2026, October 26 |
|---|---|
| Display | 8.5 inches, 213.4 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio), Super Retina XDR OLED, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 1512 x 2316 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~325 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Battery | Li-Ion (18.9 Wh) |
| Software | iPadOS 27 |
| Dimensions | 195.3 x 132.6 x 5.4 mm (7.69 x 5.22 x 0.21 in) |
| Weight | 255 g (Wi-Fi) / 263 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (8.99 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Durability | IP67 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1m for 30 min) Stylus support |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort |
Apple iPad mini (2026) FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the iPad mini (2026) support 5G?
Yes. The iPad mini (2026) supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the iPad mini (2026) use?
The iPad mini (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm).
What display does the iPad mini (2026) have?
A 8.5 inches, 213.4 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) Super Retina XDR OLED, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 1512 x 2316 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~325 ppi density).
How big is the iPad mini (2026) battery?
The iPad mini (2026) has a Li-Ion (18.9 Wh) battery.
Does the iPad mini (2026) have NFC?
No, the iPad mini (2026) does not list NFC support.
Is the iPad mini (2026) water resistant?
The iPad mini (2026) carries a IP67 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1m for 30 min) Stylus support rating.
Does the iPad mini (2026) support a microSD card?
No, the iPad mini (2026) does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the iPad mini (2026) isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
iPad Air 11 2026
iPad Air 13 2026
iPad mini 2024
iPad Pro 11 2024
MatePad Pro 12.2 2025
