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Apple’s 2026 iPad mini gains an OLED screen but nears iPad Air pricing
Apple’s 2026 iPad mini is a stronger, more capable small tablet, with a larger OLED display, a current-generation chip and improved speakers. These upgrades make it better suited to watching video and using multiple windows, but its price leaves it only $50 cheaper than the larger, more powerful 11-inch iPad Air.
The screen grows from 8.3 inches to 8.5 inches, while the tablet is 24 per cent lighter than its 2024 predecessor, at 0.56 pounds. Its 2,316 × 1,512 OLED reaches 600 nits for full-screen brightness and up to 1,200 nits for HDR highlights, but retains a 60 Hz refresh rate; optional nano-texture glass costs an extra $100 on 256GB and 512GB models.
In short
- The mini gets an 8.5-inch OLED screen and a current chip.
- It weighs 0.56 pounds, down from 0.65 pounds.
- Its price is only $50 below the 11-inch iPad Air.
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The case for
The upgrades make the iPad mini more useful as a portable device: its lighter design, larger OLED screen and improved speakers should suit video and multitasking better. For buyers who value a compact tablet above screen size or raw power, paying nearly Air-level prices may be reasonable if the mini’s portability is worth the premium.
The case against
At a price only $50 below the 11-inch iPad Air, the mini may be difficult to justify for buyers who want the most capability for their money. Its 60 Hz refresh rate and extra charge for nano-texture glass also temper the appeal of the OLED upgrade, while the Air offers a larger screen and more power for almost the same price.
Explained simply
The iPad mini is Apple’s smallest tablet, designed for people who want a more portable device than a full-sized iPad. The iPad Air is a larger model in the same range, with more room for work and entertainment.
OLED screens can show stronger contrast and brighter highlights than many other display types, which can make films and photos look more vivid. A 60 Hz refresh rate means the screen updates 60 times a second, a common rate that is less fluid than some faster displays.
The iPad mini’s appeal depends on how much value readers place on a lighter, compact design compared with screen size and price. If it costs only slightly less than an iPad Air, buyers may weigh portability against the larger model’s extra space and power.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “2026 iPad mini review: Maximizing the mini”.