Engadget gave Apple's new iPad mini 8.5 out of 10 and The Verge an 8. See U.S. prices from $699, the 60Hz complaint and who should buy.
Apple's new iPad mini goes on sale Friday, Nov. 6, and the first reviews are in. Engadget gave it 8.5 out of 10, and The Verge gave it an 8, according to a review roundup from iThinkDiff. Those scores belong to the outlets, not to us. The short version from critics: the OLED screen and chip are a big step up, the 60Hz refresh rate is the main complaint, and the $699 starting price stings. Prices are as of Nov. 5.
How much does the new iPad mini cost in the U.S.?
It starts at $699 for 128GB. Engadget says that is $200 more than the last iPad mini cost at launch two years ago, but only $100 more than Apple was charging after its summer price increases. The iThinkDiff roundup lists the full ladder:
- 128GB: $699
- 256GB: $799
- 512GB: $999
- Nano-texture glass: plus $100 on the 256GB and 512GB models
- Wi-Fi plus cellular: plus $150 on every model
That matches Engadget's math: a 256GB iPad mini with nano-texture glass is $899, and $1,049 with 5G added. Nano-texture is not offered on the 128GB model.
What do reviewers like?
The screen first. Engadget says this is the first iPad mini with OLED, with 1,200 nits of peak brightness for HDR video, twice the old model, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It calls the iPad mini a better portable cinema than ever. The tablet is also thinner at 5.4mm and lighter, with an 8.5-inch display. It is Apple's first iPad with an IP67 dust and water rating, and the new speakers also drew praise from Engadget, Tom's Guide, TechRadar and Gizmodo, per the roundup.
Performance is strong too. Engadget's reviewer ran Control and No Man's Sky without hitches and says the chip should last for years. In the roundup, Tom's Guide measured 4,720 in Geekbench 6 single-core and 12,697 multi-core, and Gizmodo found the A20 Pro about 15% ahead of the iPad Air with M4 in a graphics test. Both Tom's Guide and TechRadar gave it an award or badge, according to the roundup.
What do they dislike?
The refresh rate. The iThinkDiff roundup says all eight reviews mention that the display stays at 60Hz, and HardwareZone calls it a serious flaw. Engadget points out that even the iPhone 17 has a 120Hz screen. Gizmodo argues most people will not notice, while The Verge says you feel it even when swiping. We have not tested it, so we cannot settle that argument.
Other misses, per Engadget: no Face ID, since you unlock with the Touch ID power button, and only two colors, Midnight and Starlight. Opinions split on battery life. Engadget got five to six hours of heavy gaming and closer to Apple's promised 10 hours on lighter use. The roundup says Macworld's video loop lasted 10 hours and 10 minutes.
Should you buy the iPad mini now?
If you have an older iPad mini, critics say yes. Macworld and HardwareZone tell owners of the older model to upgrade, per the roundup. If you were hoping to spend $500 or $600, the new price changes the choice.
Two practical points. Engadget and TechRadar say the base chip in the 128GB and 256GB models is enough for most people, so the $999 512GB model is worth it only for its extra CPU core and second Neural Engine. And nano-texture glass splits reviewers: Engadget and TechRadar praise it for cutting glare, but Gizmodo says it dulled the OLED's colors and would skip it. If you read outdoors, try it in a store before paying $100 more.
Our take
We have not tested this iPad mini, and our view comes from reading the reviews. What stands out is how consistent they are: great panel, great chip, a missing 120Hz, and a price that now sits near iPad Air territory. That last point is worth checking before you buy, since Apple's own iPad Air pricing may offer a bigger screen for similar money. We did not verify current Air prices for this story. If the mini's size is what you want, the reviews say you will like it. If you are shopping on price, wait for holiday deals, though a new Apple product is rarely discounted in its first month.
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Picture credit: Apple
