Apple’s smallest tablet finally gets OLED. I put the new iPad mini next to my older one to see what the extra screen space, thinner body and $949 Canadian starting price add up to.
After my iPhone, the device I probably reach for most is my iPad mini. I keep one by my nightstand for reading, and it’s usually the tablet I take when I travel. That’s how I looked at the new iPad mini (A20 Pro). The question for me was whether it does those everyday things enough better to justify replacing a mini I already like.
The OLED display is the reason I’d upgrade
Side by side, the two minis occupy almost exactly the same space. The new one gives you an 8.5-inch screen where the previous model had 8.3 inches, and the slimmer body is something I could feel as soon as I picked it up. Apple puts the new model at 5.4 mm thick and 255 grams for Wi-Fi. That matters when you’re holding it in one hand to read.
The OLED screen made the biggest difference to me. Apple rates the Super Retina XDR panel at 600 nits across the screen and up to 1,200 nits for HDR highlights. It can also drop to one nit, which is arguably the more relevant number for the way I use it at night. Apple offers nano-texture glass to cut glare on the 256GB and 512GB models. I’d consider it if I regularly used the mini outdoors or under bright lights.
What the A20 Pro adds
The tablet felt fast and smooth in my hands-on time. Apple’s performance figures describe its own tests. It claims up to 2.7 times the graphics performance and up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance than the previous generation. The 128GB and 256GB models have a five-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The 512GB version gets a six-core CPU and two 16-core Neural Engines. That distinction matters most if you’re shopping for demanding creative or on-device AI workloads.
The mini runs iPadOS 27 and supports Apple Intelligence. Apple describes the new Siri AI as a beta, with availability depending on language and region. The display and the easier-to-hold design did more to sell me on this upgrade than the AI features.
A better camera position for FaceTime
On my old mini, holding it sideways for FaceTime put the front camera off to one side. Apple has moved the 12MP Center Stage camera to the long edge, so it’s in a much more natural spot when the iPad is propped up horizontally. The 12MP rear camera adds an adaptive flash and supports 4K video at up to 60 fps.
Apple has also changed the speaker design, using its Acoustic Display system to deliver stereo sound. The new model has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance under lab conditions. For wireless, the N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Cellular models use Apple’s C2 modem and eSIM. My review box included a USB-C cable and a 20W USB-C power adapter.
Apple Pencil and what I learned about cases
The mini supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C). I don’t do much handwritten note-taking on mine, but the small size makes sense for people who carry a digital notebook. Apple’s $99 CAD TechWoven Smart Folio is thin, attaches magnetically and folds into a stand. I tried it on my older mini and the magnets didn’t hold it securely. Check the fit before assuming your case will carry over.
I also tried Belkin’s Infinity Folio. The iPad snaps into a plastic back shell, and the front cover doubles as a stand. I prefer the feel of Apple’s slimmer cover. The Belkin is the one I’d look at if I wanted more coverage around the tablet.
iPad mini A20 Pro price in Canada
Should you upgrade?
For me, yes. I use the mini often enough that the OLED screen and lighter body improve something I do every day. If you mainly read, browse and watch downloaded shows on a recent mini that still feels quick, I’d keep it unless the screen is the part you most want to improve. And if you’re choosing your first mini for the same reasons I use mine, I’d start with the 128GB Wi-Fi model. At nearly $1,000 Canadian, I’d pay extra for storage or cellular only if I already knew how I’d use it.
As an Amazon Associate, GetConnected earns from qualifying purchases. Check the iPad mini A20 Pro on Amazon Canada (128GB Wi-Fi, Midnight).
Specifications and launch details: Apple Newsroom Canada and Apple’s technical specifications.
