Apple officially unveiled the iPad mini (2026) on Monday, highlighting its new OLED screen and A20 Pro chipset. While the first units are scheduled to reach buyers on November 6, a Wi-Fi + Cellular model identified as iPad19,2 has already been tested on Geekbench 7. The benchmark results indicate a single-core score of 3,879 and a multi-core score of 9,870.
The test reveals that this specific unit is equipped with a five-core CPU configuration, consisting of two performance cores clocked at 4.93GHz and three efficiency cores. This setup suggests the device is either the 128GB or 256GB variant, which utilize a binned version of the A20 Pro with one efficiency core disabled. Only the 512GB model retains the full six-core CPU architecture. Additionally, the listing confirms the tablet includes 12GB of RAM, a specification Apple typically omits from its official marketing materials.
When compared to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which features the complete six-core A20 Pro, the iPad mini scores approximately 4% lower in single-core tasks and 14% lower in multi-core performance. Despite this slight deficit due to the missing core, the new tablet represents a massive leap over its predecessor. The previous model scored 2,638 in single-core and 7,103 in multi-core tests, meaning the 2026 version is 47% faster in single-core scenarios and 39% faster in multi-core workloads.
In the broader tablet market, the iPad mini outperforms larger devices in specific areas. Against the M5-powered 13-inch iPad Pro, which achieved 3,580 single-core and 15,126 multi-core points, the mini is roughly 8% faster in single-core performance, though the Pro leads by 53% in multi-core tasks. Similarly, compared to the M4-powered 13-inch iPad Air with scores of 3,206 and 12,686 respectively, the new mini is 21% faster in single-core benchmarks while the Air remains 29% ahead in multi-threaded operations.
The iPad mini (2026) is priced starting at $699, €749, or £699, with pre-orders currently open. The device maintains its compact 8.3-inch form factor, distinguishing it from larger alternatives and earlier models with 10.1-inch screens.
Sources: GSMArena.