iPad mini 8 Price and Specs: How the 128GB and 512GB Models Differ
Key takeaways
- The iPad mini 8 adds an OLED screen, IP67 rating and A20 Pro chip at 255 g (0.56 lb).
- US price starts at $699 for 128GB Wi-Fi, up from $499 for the last model.
- Only the 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU and dual Neural Engine.
Apple has released the iPad mini 8, its first update to the small tablet in two years. It switches to an OLED display and drops to 255 g (0.56 lb), good news for anyone who liked the old mini’s size.
The catch is the price: it now starts at $699, and the 128GB and 512GB models don’t even use the same chip configuration. Below are its price, specs and the differences between the storage tiers.
Thinner and lighter design
Start with the design. The body goes from 6.3 mm (0.25 in) to 5.4 mm (0.21 in), and the Wi-Fi model drops from 293 g (0.65 lb) to 255 g (0.56 lb), about 38 g (1.3 oz) lighter.
Those 38 grams may not sound like much, but on a tablet you hold in one hand, like the iPad mini, it is a meaningful change. Reading e-books on a commute or watching video in bed should be easier on the wrist.
The bezels are also 24% thinner. The body keeps roughly the same size while the screen grows from 8.3 to 8.5 inches, so you get a little more screen without losing portability.
For the first time on an iPad mini, there is also IP67 water and dust resistance. It can handle up to 1 meter of water (just over 3 feet) for 30 minutes, so sudden rain or a splash is less of a worry than before.
It is not waterproof, though. Don’t use it underwater or dunk it on purpose.
The new OLED screen still runs at 60Hz
The biggest change in the iPad mini 8 is the display. The LCD is gone in favor of an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel at 2316 by 1512 pixels and 326 ppi.
Because each OLED pixel makes its own light, blacks look deeper, and the contrast ratio reaches 2 million to 1. You should notice the difference from the old LCD in dark movies and shows.
Full-screen brightness is 600 nits, and HDR content peaks at 1,200 nits. Brightness also goes down to 1 nit, which cuts glare when you read an e-book in a dark bedroom.
The 256GB and 512GB models offer nano-texture glass that reduces reflections. In the US it adds $100, which is worth considering if you often use the tablet under bright lights or outdoors.
The refresh rate is still 60Hz, though. If you are used to 120Hz ProMotion, scrolling web pages or writing with an Apple Pencil will feel less smooth.
OLED makes the picture better, but keeping 60Hz on a tablet that starts at $699 is a letdown.
A20 Pro inside, but performance depends on storage
The chip is the A20 Pro, built on a 2-nanometer process. Apple says it delivers up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance and up to 2.7 times the graphics performance of the previous model. AI performance is up to 4.5 times faster.
Demanding games and photo editing should run noticeably faster than on the previous model.
This iPad mini’s chip configuration, however, changes with storage. The 128GB and 256GB models get a 5-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, while the 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specs.
| 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 5-core | 5-core | 6-core |
| Performance/efficiency cores | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/4 |
| GPU | 7-core | 7-core | 7-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core | 32-core |
| Nano-texture glass | Not available | Optional | Optional |
All three models share a 7-core GPU. The differences are in the CPU and Neural Engine, and the 512GB model has twice the Neural Engine cores that handle AI work.
For video, e-books and note-taking, the 128GB model should be plenty. If you often run on-device AI or heavy editing, the 512GB model may be worth it. Storage is not the only difference, so check the chip before you buy.
Speakers, camera and charging
The speakers work differently now. The grilles are gone, and Apple uses an Acoustic Display that vibrates the screen itself to make sound.
Woofers behind the display handle the low end, and tweeters set where the glass meets the enclosure carry the highs. Losing the speaker holes makes the exterior cleaner and helps with water and dust resistance. How it actually sounds, I’ll have to hear for myself.
The 12-megapixel front camera moves to the center of the long edge, with an f/2.0 aperture, so it sits in the middle when the tablet is in landscape. Your eyes won’t drift off to one side as much on video calls.
Wireless runs on Apple’s own N1 chip, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. With a 35W or higher charger, the battery reaches 50% in about 30 minutes. Apple rates battery life at up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on Wi-Fi, from an 18.9-watt-hour battery.
The Apple Pencil Pro is supported too, including haptic feedback that buzzes when you squeeze the pencil.
iPad mini 8 price in the US
In the US the Wi-Fi 128GB model starts at $699, up from the $499 launch price of the previous iPad mini. Pre-orders opened Oct. 28, and the first units reach customers and stores on Nov. 6.
The Wi-Fi + Cellular model starts at $849. More storage or nano-texture glass pushes the price higher still.
| Storage | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $699 | $849 |
| 256GB | $799 | $949 |
| 512GB | $999 | $1,149 |
Accessories add up quickly. The Apple Pencil Pro is $129 and the Smart Folio is $79, both on top of the base model’s $699.
That is a lot to spend on a small tablet. Even with the OLED screen and faster chip, it costs far more to get in the door than the previous model did.
Which model should you buy?
The iPad mini 8’s strengths are its OLED display, 255 g (0.56 lb) weight and faster A20 Pro. If you read e-books or watch video a lot and value portability, it is a tablet you should be happy with. The 128GB and 512GB models use different chip configurations, so pick the one that fits how you use it.
Still, the price, starting at $699, and the 60Hz refresh rate are disappointing. If your current iPad mini isn’t giving you trouble, I don’t see a need to replace it. Compare prices with the iPad Air and iPad Pro before you decide.
