New OLED iPad mini vs iPad mini 7: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The new iPad mini has an 8.5-inch OLED screen, A20 Pro chip and IP67 water resistance for $699. How it compares with the iPad mini 7 and who should upgrade.
Apple announced a new iPad mini on October 26, and it's the biggest update the mini has had in years. It's in stores November 6.
The quick comparison
 New iPad mini (2026) |
iPad mini 7 (2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 8.5-inch OLED | 8.3-inch LCD |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Water resistance | IP67 | None |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Starting price | $699 (Wi-Fi), $849 (cellular) | Launched at $499, later raised to $599 |
What's actually better
The screen
The jump from LCD to OLED is the headline. Blacks are truly black, colours pop, and it's a little bigger at 8.5 inches. Some models offer nano-texture glass to cut glare.
It's still 60Hz, though. No ProMotion. If you were hoping for smooth 120Hz scrolling, you'll have to keep waiting.
Water resistance
IP67 makes it the first water-resistant iPad. Reading in the bath or by the pool just got less stressful.
Speed
The A20 Pro is a solid step up, and better for Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. The 512GB model gets an extra CPU core and a dual Neural Engine.
Other small things
- Thinner and lighter
- Speakers built into the display
- Faster charging, if you buy a 35W adapter (not included)
Who should upgrade
- You read or watch a lot and want the OLED screen
- You want water resistance
- Your current mini is a 6th generation or older
Who should stick with the mini 7
- You're happy with your screen and mostly read, browse and take notes
- You'd rather not pay $100 to $200 more than the mini 7 cost
- You can find a mini 7 on sale or refurbished. It's still a great small tablet.
The bigger question
If you've been eyeing the iPhone Duo for its big screen, the new mini plus your current phone is a lot cheaper. See iPhone Duo vs iPad mini. And for every model, see which iPad to buy.
