The iPad-mini/">iPad mini 8 is Apple’s biggest update to its smallest tablet in 14 years. Ahead of its November 6 launch, MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera shared his initial impressions after using the new model for about a week.

The tablet is 5.4mm thick and weighs 255 grams, compared with 293 grams for the iPad mini 7. Its slimmer build makes it lighter and more comfortable to hold, while the overall device remains about the same size. Apple has also reduced the bezels and increased the display from 8.3 to 8.5 inches. Touch ID remains the method of biometric authentication.

The iPad mini 8 is the second iPad to use an OLED display, following the iPad Pro. Its screen offers deep blacks, stronger contrast for HDR content and increased brightness, but is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and does not support ProMotion. Higher-end models can be configured with a nano-texture display to reduce glare.

Apple has added an acoustic system that replaces conventional speaker holes with an enclosed design. Tweeters sit beneath the glass, paired with woofers, and the sound is broadly comparable to the iPad mini 7, with clearer highs and deeper bass in some cases. The tablet also has upgraded microphones and is the first iPad mini with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.

The new model uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip, also found in the iPhone 18 Pro, and includes 12GB of RAM. The 128GB and 256GB configurations have a 5-core CPU and 7-core GPU; the 512GB version has a 6-core CPU and the same 7-core GPU. Storage options are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, with Wi-Fi and cellular models available.

Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours of video playback or web browsing. Fast charging can bring the battery to 50 percent in 30 minutes, but requires a power adapter rated at 35W or higher. The front-facing 12-megapixel Center Stage camera has moved to the landscape edge, while the rear 12-megapixel camera records video at up to 4K.

Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, with cellular versions supporting sub-6GHz 5G. The USB-C port can connect the tablet to a 4K display, and the iPad mini 8 supports extended display mode in iPadOS 27. It is compatible with the USB-C Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro.

Prices start at $699 for 128GB of storage, $100 above the A17 Pro model. The tablet is available to pre-order and launches Friday, November 6.

Sources: MacRumors.