It’s almost time for WWDC 2026, where Apple is expected to announce iOS 27 and all sorts of other software updates. But will we see new hardware? And more specifically, new iPads? Well, we can’t say for sure, but we do have a fairly good idea of what to expect (and not expect).

Sadly, the answer to that question is probably 'no' — for two reasons. The first is obvious — WWDC is Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, with the key word there being ‘developers’, meaning that the focus is on software, not hardware.

Now, that doesn’t completely rule out new devices. After all, Apple has announced various Macs and MacBooks at WWDC in recent years. The HomePod was also unveiled at WWDC back in 2019, and looking back further, some early iPhones even got a WWDC unveiling.

In fact, the iPad Pro (2017) was even announced at that year’s WWDC, so a new iPad in 2026 isn’t completely out of the question.

But it is very unlikely — while hardware does sometimes make an appearance at WWDC, most years, there’s next to none, and we haven’t heard any indication that a new iPad will land at this year’s event.

Plus, in recent years, Apple has tended to unveil its new tablets either early in the year, in March or occasionally April, or towards the end of the year, in September or October. Mid-year launches are rare.

And this year, we did indeed see an early-year launch, with the iPad Air (2026) landing back in March. That was only a few months ago, so it would seem odd for Apple to launch another model so soon.

So, based on all of that, I’d say it’s very unlikely that we’ll see a new iPad at WWDC 2026. That said, if you’re an iPad fan, it could still be worth tuning in to the keynote, which kicks off at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST today (Monday, June 8,) or 3am AEST on Tuesday, June 9 if you’re in Australia.

Why you should still tune in

While we probably won’t see new iPads at WWDC 2026, Apple is almost certainly going to unveil some new software in the form of iPadOS 27, which could include some major changes and upgrades.

Nothing has been announced on that front yet, but leaks and rumors point to the long-awaited Siri overhaul, which could turn Apple's voice assistant into a proper AI chatbot, powered by a custom version of Google Gemini.

This upgrade reportedly won’t be limited to just making Siri smarter, though; it’s also likely to include new capabilities, like better AI photo editing prowess and on-screen awareness, so Siri can understand and respond to whatever’s on your screen. It will probably also be able to perform multi-step actions across multiple apps.

Beyond that, iPadOS 27 is also likely to bring improvements to various apps, such as the ability to use natural language to create shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, more customization options in the camera app, redesigned Safari and Weather apps, and a Grammarly-style keyboard upgrade.

These are all things that we’ll probably see in iOS 27 too, but on the iPad-specific side, reports point to new layouts for Apple Music, Apple TV, and the Podcasts app to make better use of the iPad's larger display. Plus, there are likely to be various performance and stability improvements.

While iPadOS 27 will probably be announced at WWDC 2026, it’s unlikely to launch in finished form until September — but in the meantime, we expect various betas to roll out, giving you a chance to try many of the features early if you don’t mind some bugs.

So, if you want to see exactly what Apple is cooking up on the software side, here’s how to watch WWDC 2026 live — though, of course, we’ll be covering all the announcements here too.

When might we see new iPads?

So, if we probably won’t see new iPads at WWDC, when might we? Well, the next point in the year when Apple would typically announce new tablets is September or October — either alongside the iPhone 18 line in the former month or separately a month later. The latter, though, has been more common, especially in recent years.

Of those two months, I’d guess October is the more likely, so the new tablets have some time to shine rather than getting buried in the iPhone launch. Of course, there’s a chance we won’t see any more new iPads this year, and that Apple will instead wait until March of 2027. After all, we don’t always see late-year iPad launches, but we have in the last two years.

Whenever we do get new iPads, the most likely models are the base model iPad (2026) and an iPad mini (2026), both of which have been rumored for a launch this year. That said, Apple doesn’t stick to yearly updates for its iPads, so it’s hard to predict.

There may also be a new iPad Pro this year, but with no real reports of one and the previous model only landing last October, we wouldn’t count on it. And with the latest iPad Air having landed earlier this year, it’s unlikely the next model of that will be among Apple’s next tablet releases — especially if we do see new slates this year.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was arguably the best phone of 2025, and it’s truly an engineering marvel. It feels impossibly thin and light, especially when it’s closed, and you know that you’re holding a full-sized mini tablet, even though it feels like a normal big-screen smartphone. The biggest problem - maybe the only big problem - was the price. Thankfully, deals like today’s sale on Samsung.com finally drop the Z Fold to a price that makes perfect sense.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is on sale right now on Samsung.com with a $400 discount in the US, even if you don’t have a phone to trade. There are huge trade bonuses happening as well, if you have the right phone. In the US, a Galaxy S25 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold 6 will earn you $1,000 in trade (instead of that $400 discount). In Australia, an iPhone 16 Pro Max will drop the price of a new Fold 7 by AU$1,000.

The perfect price for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be the price of a 6.5-inch, flagship smartphone plus the price of an 8-inch tablet. The Galaxy S25 Plus starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, though the Galaxy S25 Edge ($1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849) is probably a closer comparison, since it’s thinner and it packs the same 200MP camera as the Galaxy Z Fold.

Samsung doesn’t currently make a premium 8-inch tablet, so the Apple iPad mini (2024) is the best 8-inch tablet to consider. The iPad mini costs $499 / £499 / AU$799 for the latest model. Put that price together with a Galaxy S25 Edge, and you’re paying $1,598 / £1,598 / AU$2,648 for both devices.

Why would you want a Galaxy Z Fold 7 instead of just buying a fancy new smartphone and a mini tablet together? That’s a great question! Here are four reasons why I’d prefer a foldable (and one big reason why not):

My Galaxy Z Fold 7 is always connected, unlike my iPad mini

To be fair, you can get an iPad mini for $499 / £499 / AU$799, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection to make it surf. You can use your phone as a hotspot, but when your phone is also a tablet - like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 - you don’t need to burn through your data allotment or battery power to connect a second device. Your tablet is your phone, so it’s always connected.

This also means you won’t have to worry about sharing files between devices. If you want to edit a document on a larger display, or even open a web page on your tablet instead of your phone, you don’t have to perform any magic tricks between screens. You just open the small screen, and it becomes a tablet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is more durable than any small tablet

You might not think of foldable phones as durable, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the most durable mini tablets you can buy. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is water-resistant enough that you can dunk it in a pool or read your email in a bathtub.

There is no iPad you can buy with the same level of durability. Samsung makes water-resistant tablets (that are also more dust-proof), but only the larger Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S10 FE models.

You still have to worry about dust and small particles, so a trip to the sandy beach will require some care. Still, it’s impressive that Samsung’s foldable tablet has better ingress protection than Apple’s most portable iPad.

Samsung’s software is (shockingly) the best for multitasking

Samsung’s software doesn’t get the same accolades as Apple’s iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, but Samsung’s tablet software is the best you’ll find on any tablet - including the iPad. Samsung has done a great job making it easy to open multiple windows, to snap windows where you want them, and to move content between windows and apps.

Multitasking on a Samsung tablet is better than multitasking on any iPad, and it’s even better than multitasking on a Mac desktop with Apple’s macOS 26.

That makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a fantastic tablet for productivity and getting things done, much better than an iPad mini. Samsung’s version of Android is packed with useful tools and features, while Apple’s iPadOS tends to get out of the way and let app developers do the heavy lifting in the apps you buy and download.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has better cameras than any tablet

Samsung has been using a big 200MP sensor on its best camera phones for a few years, and this year it figured out how to pack that beefy component into its thinnest phones. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the thin Galaxy S25 Edge got the same camera module as the mighty Galaxy S25 Ultra, instantly vaulting those devices to the front of the class for camera image quality.

That means the Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t just the best foldable camera phone you can buy; it also packs a better camera than you’ll find on any tablet, especially an iPad mini. The iPad mini uses a single 12MP rear camera sensor. The photos it captures don’t match what you’ll get from a Z Fold 7.

Best of all, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 uses its cameras in versatile ways. You can take photos with the phone open or closed, using either the smaller or larger display as your viewfinder. You can use the hinge and fold to aim that camera at yourself and see yourself in the outer display, making it a 200MP selfie camera. There’s really no contest; the Galaxy Z Fold 7 blows away the iPad mini in camera capabilities, whether it’s open or closed.

Why would you want two separate devices? Two big (battery) reasons

Having two big batteries in a separate iPad mini and Galaxy smartphone is better than… well, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 technically has two batteries, but they amount to a smaller total capacity than what you’d get in two devices.

It’s not even close. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has two cells that offer 4,400mAh of total battery power. The iPad mini alone has a battery that is larger than 5,000 mAh. In our battery tests, the iPad mini and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 offered almost the same amount of screen time - just under 11 hours for both. Still, if you carry an iPad plus a phone, you get all that battery life and more.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 still lasts through a normal day of use, but what’s normal for a phone and tablet combo? If you really need to use both screens all day, and you rely on your devices to get work done, I would recommend buying the two separately to maximize your battery.

Otherwise, it’s easier than ever to make a case for foldable phones. The price has finally dropped to a level that gives you more at once than you’d get buying a phone and a tablet separately.

2025 will be remembered as the year when, while we were still waiting on a truly smarter, AI-infused Siri, Apple introduced next-generation AirPods Pro, an ultra-thin iPhone, took its Pro iPhones to the next level, and delivered speedy Macs in several designs.

But perhaps the most exciting additions were to Apple’s iPad lineup. We got three new models: the entry-level 11th-Gen iPad, the iPad Air with M3 chip, and the iPad Pro with the M5. There was nothing new design-wise, but, with a nod to Bruce Springsteen, it was all about the fuel injection rather than the chrome wheels.

The fuel injection came courtesy of the latest Apple silicon, and Apple made the most of that extra power with arguably the biggest changes to iPadOS yet. With true windowing and the introduction of some of the best aspects of macOS, iPadOS 26 is what really made 2025 a landmark year for Apple's tablets.

Apple showed more of its cards with the iPad than ever before

It’s clear that Apple has been performing a balancing act with the iPad for many years – many users rely on their tablets for a mix of entertainment and productivity, and others want their iPad to be the one device to rule them all.

Much of what iPadOS 26 delivered was productivity focused, in the shape of a proper menu bar and dock; more flexible, reliable, and customizable multitasking; a major update to the Files app; and support for background tasks. It’s more macOS-like than ever before, including the red, yellow and green buttons for closing, minimizing and expanding windows, and even a menu bar that feels right out of macOS. We got a Mac-like experience in a form factor that offers easier portability, unique experiences, and – maybe most importantly – flexibility in terms of input.

You can operate the iPad with your fingers, a trackpad, the Apple Pencil, or even a connected mouse or trackpad. It’s a supremely versatile performer, but given how far Apple had taken performance – remember the redesigned iPad Pro launched in 2024 with the M4 chip, before that piece of silicon hit the Mac – the company needed to offer a more robust software experience. As my colleague Lance Ulanoff learned from senior Apple execs, it was something the company had been working on for quite some time.

iPadOS 26 shipped with most of its promised features in September 2025. I’ve used it across a broad range of iPad models, including the current lineup (11th Gen, mini, Air, and Pro) and the 9th-Gen entry-level iPad – while that model isn't as capable as the 11th-Gen iPads or the iPad Pro, the software upgrades have blurred the lines between models when it comes to performance.

As I wrote back shortly after Apple unveiled the fresh software, while it was still in beta, it was a purpose-built upgrade for the iPad – one that catered to the iPad faithful and stayed true to Apple’s ethos. It wasn’t blowing up the classic iPad experience, but it did introduce a familiar, easy-to-grasp way to manage windows. It also delivered some more advanced features that catered to users already maxing out the iPad experience.

Keeping the hardware ticking along

I reviewed all the iPads that Apple released this year, and the common theme is speed upgrades – to the point where the advantages you'll get from going Pro are less obvious than previously. The iPad Air comes in two sizes and is really a stunner, even if it’s not as ultra-thin as the iPad Pro.

In either an 11-inch or 13-inch size, with fun colors to pick from, long battery life, support for key accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, and with the M3 chip now under the hood, it really feels like the model to choose if you want a larger size without the Pro price premium, and don't need sufficient power to use it as your main device.

It’s a strong performer, and a device I keep coming back to, even after testing the latest-generation iPad Pro with the M5 under the hood. If you don’t need the extra vibrancy or contrast capabilities of the OLED screen or Face ID – though I do wish this were on more models – it really comes down to budget.

Complicating your choices further is the 11th-Gen iPad – Apple Pencil quirks aside – which is an excellent model, and likely the best iPad for most users. The A16 Bionic chip under the hood provides plenty of headroom for both work or play, and while it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, it doesn’t really matter here. It checks the boxes for what you’d want from an iPad, and at an approachable price point.

The iPad mini didn’t receive an update, which means the dream of an OLED screen in this size remains just that for now. But even that device supports iPadOS 26’s new windowing, which makes the case for a Magic Keyboard even more palpable than in years past. Please, Apple.

What’s to come in 2026?

While I can’t predict the future, the ever-churning Apple rumor mill gives us some idea of what we can expect to see from Apple in 2026, and it’s also instructive to look at what Apple did this year. I think the next entry-level 12th-Gen iPad could arrive at some point in the coming year, but don’t expect a treasure trove of new features.

I think the big upgrade here will be a better A-series chip from Apple that's not only more efficient but also adds support for Apple Intelligence. Hopefully, whatever version of iPadOS follows will also, finally, arrive with the AI-infused Siri. Similarly, rumors suggest the iPad Air will keep the same looks and feature set but gain a slightly faster M-series chip, likely the M4.

Basically, this would be a carbon copy of Apple’s approach to iPad upgrades that we saw this year and last year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that new entry-level iPad and iPad Air upgrades will likely arrive sometime in 2026.

The more exciting model we could see next year is an iPad mini with a refreshed design, a better chip, and an OLED screen. This likely wouldn't arrive until the second half of the year, and it’s also reported that it might get a more water-resistant case.

The smallest iPad will likely be the most exciting change next year, while the iPad Pro could receive a chip upgrade, although nothing major in terms of a redesign is planned until 2027, according to recent reports.

Where we might see more exciting developments is in a refinement of the new iPadOS experience and the introduction of new features – maybe more customization around windowing to start. It’s one of the biggest ways Apple can improve the experience for people who already have an iPad and potentially tempt others to upgrade.

But if Tim Cook is listening, let’s keep the list of supported models long when it comes to future updates. I think that’s a major reason why 2025 was so successful for iPadOS 26 and the iPad as a whole.

Black Friday is hands down one of the best times to go shopping for Apple products. It's in the slew of Black Friday deals that you'll find the biggest discounts on MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watch models, all year.

• Shop more Black Friday deals over at Amazon

But tracking down the best Apple deals to shop while Black Friday proper is in full swing isn't easy. So that's why I'm here to bring you the top picks, based on my years of bargain hunting and those of the TechRadar experts.

Below you'll find some standout deals like the iPhone 17 Pro free with a new unlimited line, plus free iPad and Apple Watch at T-Mobile, a MacBook Air M2 for $649 at Best Buy; that's a bargain on my personal laptop of choice.

Alright, let's get into the best Apple Black Friday deals you should definitely consider.

Black Friday Apple deals – US quick links

• Amazon: AirPods, iPads & MacBooks from $170
• Apple: trade-in credits on new devices
• Best Buy: iPad deals from $229.99
• Verizon: Get an Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for free with a contract
• Walmart: $200 off Watch, AirPods & iPads

Not in the US? Check out these UK Black Friday Apple deal quick links

• Amazon: the best prices on Apple devices
• Argos: AirPods, MacBooks, iPhone & more
• Very: discounts on AirPods & MacBook Pro
• Currys: fast shipping & price matching
• John Lewis: AirTags, iPads & MacBooks

My top picks as an Apple fan

Black Friday iPad deals

Black Friday MacBook deals

Black Friday Apple Watch deals

Black Friday AirPods deals

Black Friday iPhone deals

Black Friday AirTag deals

More Black Friday deals in the US

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

Few tech products are more consistently popular during big sales than tablets, and Black Friday 2025 is no different, with tablet deals trending once again.

If you’re one of the many people looking to snag a bargain slate this year, the big day is finally here and we’re happy to report that retailers are delivering the goods when it comes to tablet deals.

However, with sales from seemingly every retailer in the country to analyse, it can be hard to actually separate the good deals from the best ones. Luckily, we've been tracking tablet deals for nearly a month already, so we know what's what.

Whether you need an iPad that can handle your entire workload, a Galaxy tablet for watching Disney+ in the bath, or to snap up your last Christmas gift idea for a loved one, we’ve rounded up six Australian Black Friday tablet deals that cater to almost every use case.

Below, we've ordered them from cheapest to most expensive to make things even simpler.

Not looking for a tablet specifically? We're covering all sorts of November tech sales, including discounts on Apple devices, the top Samsung deals and just the all-round best Black Friday sales we've found.

As sure as night follows day, I'm here to recommend one of my favorite Black Friday deals: it's the iPad mini on sale for $399 (was $499) at Amazon US.

• Shop Amazon's full Black sale

With $100 knocked off the price of Apple's smallest tablet, it's about $20 shy of its cheapest-ever price. But don't let that put you off, as the cash saved in this deal is ideal for splashing on a premium app collection or some games that work well on the compact tablet.

(Not in the US? See today's best iPad mini deals in your region below)

Today’s best iPad mini Black Friday deal

Anyone who's read my articles over the past couple of years at TechRadar will probably have a good feeling for my love of the iPad mini. I've owned several generations of the tablet and currently use a mini with the home button-less design on a near-daily basis.

It works well as a note-taking device, e-reader, web browser, streaming machine, and even a bit of a games console. And I can count the times I've traveled without an iPad mini on one hand. It's honestly such a lovely little tablet.

Do check out our iPad mini A17 Pro review for more in-depth analysis if you're considering whether this is the iPad for you. Otherwise, just go and snap it up if you're after a tablet or a secondary iPad.

If you want a different iPad but at a cut price, then my colleague and Phones Editor Axel Metz has got a selection of the best Black Friday iPad deals you can buy right now. Expect more deals to pop up as Black Friday proper comes around, but when it comes to discounted Apple products, get to buying sooner than later; you don't want to be caught out by a lack of stock.

More Black Friday iPad deals

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

• Apple has released iPadOS 26.1
• The new update brings back Slide Over multitasking, which was removed with iPadOS 26
• Fan-favorite Split View is still missing

Apple has released iPadOS 26.1, the first major update to iPadOS 26, bringing fixes and new features to the best iPads.

Many of the new features, like a tinted mode for Liquid Glass and new gestures in Apple Music, are shared between iPadOS 26.1 and iOS 26.1, which launched simultaneously, but there is one key feature exclusive to Apple's tablet lineup.

For iPad users specifically, the update brings marks the return of a much-loved iPadOS 18 feature, giving touchscreen-focused users back some of the multitasking power they lose with iPadOS 26.

iPadOS 26.1 brings Slide Over back to the iPad, serving up touchscreen users some extra multitasking power. The feature allows users to quickly access an app in a floating window on the edge of the display which can be swiped away off-screen when not needed.

Slide Over was a staple iPadOS feature for years up until the release of iPadOS 26, when it was quietly removed. Of course, iPadOS 26 also brought with it massively expanded multitasking capabilities with new free-floating windows and background processing. But for some users it seems that this shifted the priority to keyboard users, inspiring plenty of annoyed Reddit threads.

Luckily, Slide Over is back in iPadOS 26.1, and thanks to a new resizeable window could be considered more powerful than ever. As MacRumors reports, you can now access Slide Over by tapping the green full-screen button on the app window and pressing “Enter Slide Over”.

That’s sure to feel like a win for touchscreen users who felt left behind by iPadOS 26 – but there’s still more Apple could do to cater for its hands-on audience.

Split View is still missing

Apple didn’t just remove Slide Over with iPadOS 26 – it also took out Split View, which through iPadOS 18 allowed users to quickly and easily open two apps side by side, with a slider in the middle of the display controlling the size of each app.

And while Slide Over has made a return with iPadOS 26.1, filling the screen with two apps remains more tedious than before.

You can still do so, but now you’ll need to work with the new windowing system, dragging apps around and holding the full-screen button to access different app layouts.

As someone who uses their iPad with a keyboard and on its own in roughly equal measure, I’ve been missing Split View since the launch of iPadOS 26 – as much as I love the new windowed multitasking, I do think Apple needs to keep a good range of features available for people who want to use their tablet's touchscreen to get things done.

Will you be using Slide Over in iPadOS 26.1, or are you waiting for Split View to return? Let us know in the comments below.

The iPad Air is the long-serving middle child of Apple’s tablet lineup, and while mid-tier devices in the iPhone and Mac ranges have come and gone, the iPad Air has managed to hold down its position and shows no signs of leaving any time soon.

In fact, unlike the cursed mid-tier iPhone (think the iPhone mini, iPhone Plus, and dare I say it, the iPhone Air?), the iPad Air is the furthest thing from experimental. You take a base-model iPad, throw an M-series chipset in there, give it a 13-inch option, and boom: you've got one of the best iPads.

That’s been the formula for a few years now – more hardware power than a standard tablet without any of the design or display upgrades exclusive to the iPad Pro – all of which makes recent rumors of a major display upgrade for the iPad Air all the more surprising.

Bloomberg’s resident Apple analyst and tipster supreme, Mark Gurman, has shared fresh rumors that suggest the iPad Air, iPad mini, and MacBook Air could all get OLED displays in coming generations. That’d be the biggest display upgrade the iPad Air and iPad mini have ever received.

If we got shiny new OLED panels without any changes to brightness, resolution, or refresh rate, I’d welcome the upgrade – but if Apple is willing to go one step further, I think it has a shot at turning the iPad Air, specifically, into the best tablet for most people.

Once again, I am asking Apple to give another of its devices a ProMotion display.

For reference, ProMotion is how Apple brands its variable refresh rate displays. Refresh rate refers to how often a display redraws the on-screen image. The current-gen iPad Air has a 60Hz display. ProMotion displays, like the one on the iPad Pro, automatically modulate between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the amount of movement on-screen – and that maximum 120Hz creates a much smoother experience.

In the past, asking Apple to fit the iPad Air with a ProMotion display might have seemed like a slightly pointless request; variable refresh rate panels were, up until recently, only found on devices with a Pro title – the iPad Pro, iPhone Pro and Pro Max, and MacBook Pro, to be exact.

However, with the release of the iPhone 17 series, Apple extended ProMotion to a non-Pro device for the first time by giving the standard iPhone 17 a ProMotion panel, which, in conjunction with those aforementioned new display upgrade rumors, gives me real hope that the iPad Air could be next.

Though the iPad Air’s 60Hz LCD display is nice enough, it’s perhaps the only thing holding the tablet back from true greatness. The M3 chipset is more than powerful enough for iPadOS, so much so that the vast majority of users won’t feel the difference between it and the iPad Pro’s M5 chipset. The Air’s design, while not as thin as the iPad Pro, is time-tested and pragmatic. And its accessory choices are excellent, with support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.

If Apple were to equip the iPad Air with ProMotion while retaining its starting price of $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 11-inch model and $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 for the 13-inch model, it’d get my recommendation for all but the most budget-conscious users or the most power-focused professionals. Apple has shown renewed willingness to equip its everyday devices with Pro-grade tech – now it’s the iPad Air’s turn.

The tough part is that Gurman’s report suggests we might not see any kind of display upgrade for the iPad Air until after the expected 2026 refresh, as the iPad mini is apparently the priority (a great tablet in its own right, but not as universal as the larger iPad Air). Let us know if you want to see OLED and ProMotion come to the iPad mini or iPad Air in the comments below.

• Apple could launch an iPad mini with an OLED display in 2026, a report claims
• OLED might also come to the iPad Air and the MacBook Air
• The new screen might result in higher prices, though

Apple’s iPad mini has proved to be one of the best tablets around in recent years, with its combination of compact size and impressive performance making it an ideal choice for many people. And if the rumors are to be believed, it could soon get a significant upgrade that might give it a sizable edge on the competition.

In a post on the Bloomberg website, journalist Mark Gurman has claimed that Apple plans to bring an OLED display to the iPad mini as soon as next year. That follows a similar rumor from earlier this year and would usher in a marked improvement over the device’s current LCD screen, bringing better contrast and richer colors to content viewed on the device.

If that happens, it could help make the iPad mini a surprise hit in 2026. The pint-sized tablet already has a loyal following of users who are put off by the size of the iPad Air and the price of the iPad Pro, but the iPad mini has often missed out on features found in its more expensive siblings. With the introduction of an OLED screen, however, Apple’s smallest tablet would get a major visual upgrade to help it compete against rival products.

Adding to that is the idea that Apple wants to make the future iPad mini fully waterproof by redesigning its casing and adding “a new speaker system that uses vibration-related technology” instead of traditional speaker holes, Gurman says. The reporter points out that this is a different approach to the waterproofing used in all the best iPhones, but it could add another positive to the iPad mini’s list of features.

OLED arriving elsewhere

It’s not all good news, though, as Gurman’s report suggests that Apple might raise its prices in light of the iPad mini’s improved display. An increase of $100 would not be out of the question, Gurman asserts, potentially resulting in a starting price of $599 (around £450 / AU$900).

The iPad mini is not the only Apple device in line for an OLED upgrade, Gurman believes – Apple is also apparently planning to bring this display tech to the iPad Air and the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Air is unlikely to get the upgrade before 2028, Gurman says, with the iPad Air making the leap at some undetermined future date (but after in the generation after its expected spring 2026 refresh). In theory, that's when we could also see the new iPad mini.

OLED displays have already proven to be a hit in the iPad Pro and the iPhone and have been a fixture in the Apple Watch ever since it first launched. If the iPad mini joins these popular devices in adding OLED goodness next year, Apple could make a lot of iPad customers very happy indeed.

For mobile gamers, nowhere has better games than iOS.

Though almost all of the best gaming phones are Android handsets, Apple's mobile platform has the best selection of triple-A (big-budget) games, console ports, and creative mobile originals. Furthermore, Apple Arcade sits leagues above Google’s Play Pass service, thanks to the curation and quality of the titles on offer.

I grew up in the early days of the iPhone, and during that time my gaming console of choice was often my iPod Touch or the iPhone 5S that replaced it: I’ve always seen iOS as a unique home for some truly excellent titles.

That’s truer than ever today. iOS and iPadOS are the only mobile operating systems with a proper selection of console-class titles – I’m talking Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Death Stranding, Sniper Elite 4, Control, and Resident Evil 4 Remake, among others. We’ve come a long way from the days when Jetpack Joyride was the most advanced game in the App Store (though Halfbrick's infinite scroller is still totally brilliant).

And even more recently, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 saw Apple finally gave the iPhone and iPad a dedicated Games app and Game Mode overlay with specific controls and optimizations for gameplay. To me, this suggests a renewed and open dedication to iOS as a gaming platform, which gets me thinking about what could come next.

Folding iPhone intrigue

According to every credible tech leaker, tipster, and rumor aggregator, Apple is working on a folding iPhone.

What’s more, it could be a real oddity, with a wide iPad mini-style display and a squat passport-style cover screen. The latest rumors point to an inner screen of around 7.7 inches and an approximate aspect ratio of 14:10, which is just a bit squatter than the iPad mini’s 3:2 panel.

Most of the best folding phones – at least those with a booklet form factor – tend to emulate typical slab phone displays with their cover screens, with a large square-ish inner display, so this suggests Apple could be taking a different approach.

Those conventional booklet-style folding phones are great for reading, multitasking, and taking photos and videos, but aren’t that well suited to certain games – particularly console titles originally developed for TVs and monitors, or first-person games that rely on the player having a wide field of view. I’m sure Call of Duty Mobile runs well on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but you’re at a practical disadvantage if you use the inner display over the wider cover screen, because of the hemmed-in visual field.

A wider folding screen, alongside a powerful A-series chipset and a healthy battery capacity, could make the folding iPhone an excellent mobile gaming machine. At its rumored screen size of about 7.7 inches, it’d offer a similar display size to the Nintendo Switch 2 while folding down to a size just a little bit larger than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. That’s a mix of power and portability that other gaming phones – nearly always slabs with large screens – don’t quite match.

Huawei ahead of the curve

Naturally, we can look to China to see that this general concept has already been attempted. Huawei released the Pura X earlier this year, around the time that iPhone Fold rumors were beginning to heat up. The Pura X sports a 6.3-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, with a square 3.5-inch cover display.

Since the Pura X is a China exclusive, I’ve not had a chance to get any hands-on experience with it – but I appreciate its style from afar. The key here is the inner display, which at 16:10 is well suited to gaming, so this type of form factor combined with iOS’ superior selection of games could make for a really enticing combination.

Now, I’m not expecting Apple to centre its rumored folding iPhone around gaming – in fact, I’d expect any Apple folding phone to be aggressively marketed as a general purpose device, in contrast to Samsung’s focus on performance and productivity. I just hope Apple goes for the weird and wide design to make the most of this speculative phone’s gaming potential.

How should Apple design the rumored iPhone Fold? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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If there's one discounted device I recommend nearly every time there are Prime Day deals, it's the iPad mini. Case in point: right now, you can grab the latest iPad mini on sale at Amazon for $379 (was $499). And in the UK, the iPad mini can be had for £461 (was £499) at Amazon.

• Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

While the US gets the better saving, with more than $100 off the original price, bringing the iPad mini down to what I believe is its lowest-ever price tag, the UK saving is still nice to have. That's especially when you consider that this iPad can handle most tasks you can throw at it, despite its diminutive size. So I thoroughly recommend these deals.

(Not in the US or UK? See today's best deals in your region below)

Today’s best iPad mini Prime Day deal

Why do I recommend this compact tech fondle slate to family and friends? Well, it's because I've used an iPad mini for well over a decade. While I've upgraded a couple of times over the years, I've always loved the mini for a travel device, where it works well as a note-taking tool, ereader, entertainment portal, gaming machine, and just a nice bit of industrial design.

And its small proportions mean it's a very easy device to slip into a coat pocket, and so proved to be invaluable during my early days as a tech reporter going out and about at events, interviews, and so on.

I'm not the only one who loves the smallest iPad, as you'll see in our iPad mini A17 Pro review, Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff notes: "It's an almost pocket-friendly device that's popular with pilots, artists, ardent notetakers, social media scrollers, students, and readers. It's the color reading screen for those who don't want to read comics on a black-and-white Kindle (though that new Colorsoft does change things, am I right?). It's sometimes the second multipurpose slab in your arsenal, small and light enough to join you on vacation, and it's sometimes the perfect back-porch streaming companion."

So yeah, at full price, the iPad mini is a great little tablet; at a discount, it's almost a no-brainer for people who want a more pocketable iPadOS experience. Get it before it's gone.

Amazon's Prime Day sale in the US – quick links

• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Ring & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

Amazon's Prime Day sale in the UK – quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Echo & Ring
• Appliances: Ninja & De'Longhi from £29.99
• Gaming: Nintendo Switch 2 – in stock now
• Headphones: Anker & Sony from £15.98
• Health: up to 68% off Philips, Remington & Oral-B
• Home: fans from £12.99
• Laptops: Lenovo, Asus and HP from £159.99
• Phones: up to 20% off Apple & Samsung
• Tablets: Lenovo & Samsung from £119
• Toys: up to 50% off Lego & Mattel
• TVs: cheap TVs from £109
• Vacuums: Shark and eufy from £99
• Wearables: up to 25% off Huawei & Samsung

Scroll through our list of the best tablets, and you’ll find a section dedicated to the best compact tablet – for as long as I’ve worked at TechRadar, that title has been held by the iPad mini.

When it comes to tablets with screens smaller than 10 inches, no tablet maker has yet been able to top Apple’s combination of beautiful design, responsive software, and software utility – but now, a challenger has appeared on the horizon.

Xiaomi has released the new Xiaomi Pad Mini, an 8.8-inch compact tablet that takes square aim at the iPad mini, and isn’t shy about taking inspiration from Apple’s compact powerhouse. Compared to the iPad mini, the Xiaomi Pad Mini has a larger, higher resolution screen with a blazing-fast 165hz refresh rate, more RAM in its top-end configuration, and an approximately 50% larger battery. Oh, and it has two USB-C ports.

So far, this sounds like a winning combination – and it probably would be, if it weren’t for the Xiaomi Pad Mini’s limited geographic availability. According to GSMArena, the tablet has launched in Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE, with more countries to follow – but Xiaomi has confirmed that there are no plans to launch the tablet in the US, UK, or Australia.

Well, there goes Xiaomi’s chances at truly rivalling the iPad mini – or, indeed, making it onto our list of the best tablets.

Despite this, I’ve managed to get my hands on a Xiaomi Pad Mini, and even from my very first impressions I can say it’s one of the best Android tablets I’ve ever used – here are my hands-on impressions of this powerful would-be iPad mini competitor.

Portable powerhouse

The Xiaomi Pad Mini runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset – this may be a mobile platform, but it’s no joke when it comes to performance. The tablet comes in two configurations, one with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the other with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage – I tested the latter model.

That means the Xiaomi Pad Mini feels snappy and responsive in day-to-day browsing, and holds up well in games like Call of Duty Mobile as well. It helps that the tablet has a genuinely excellent display, too – its 8.8-inch panel has a resolution of 1880 x 3008, a peak brightness of 700 nits, and ludicrously smooth 165Hz refresh rate – that’s sharper, brighter, and more than 100hz faster than the current-gen iPad mini. The Xiaomi Pad Mini’s 16:10 aspect ratio makes it an ideal choice for videos, too, and the speakers offer good volume and range.

For a device that retails at roughly $500 / £450 / AU$900 depending on territory, the Xiaomi Pad Mini offers a frictionless and premium-feeling experience. Personally, 8.8-inches feels like a very natural size for a smart device – more portable than my personal 11-inch iPad Pro, but no less capable at the things I use my iPad for day-to-day (Apple still has total superiority over Android when it comes to pro-level app availability, but that’s for another day.)

The Xiaomi Pad Mini also comes equipped with a few neat conveniences. It runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2, an Android 15 wrapper that supports floating windows a la iPadOS 26, with support for external monitors via the DisplayPort-equipped USB-C port on the long edge of the device. Notably, that’s one of two USB-C ports – both can be used for charging, but only the long-edge port supports DisplayPort 1.4, and only the short-edge port supports data transfer (via GSMArena).

There’s also a single rear camera which takes serviceable pictures at 13MP and videos at 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps, and a selfie camera that’s actually a little too wide-angled for my liking. Furthermore, the Xiaomi Pad mini is the first tablet I’ve ever used to have any kind of haptic feedback – it’s a really welcome addition that makes using the tablet feel more involving and much more phone-like, which lends itself well to the device’s portable form factor.

Ace accessories

I’m also a big fan of the accessories Xiaomi provided alongside the Xiaomi Pad Mini (all sold separately).

The Xiaomi Pad Mini Cover is a case that snaps onto the device’s rear panel, and features a rubber band that snaps into place as either a carry handle or kickstand. It’s not as stable as Apple’s Smart Cover or Samsung’s variety of keyboard cases, but it is very subtle.

The Xiaomi Pad Mini is also fully compatible with the Xiaomi Focus Pen, which feels a lot like the Apple Pencil with a few buttons attached.

I tried writing and drawing in the included Mi Canvas app, and found it very enjoyable – not quite as buttery as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra’s S Pen, but more controllable than the Apple Pencil. The buttons lend themselves to a variety of contextual tools, like switching paintbrushes in drawing apps and scrolling through slides in Google Slides.

The Xiaomi Pad Mini is a well-designed and well-equipped tablet that may well replace my iPad Pro for scrolling web pages and jotting down quick notes. With that said, I found myself wishing for one missing feature – a fingerprint scanner. Swiping and unlocking a tablet with a passcode just isn’t as fast as it is on a phone, and I don’t tend to use image-based face unlocks due to security concerns (Apple’s FaceID uses IR scans instead).

So, there you have it – my hands-on thoughts on the Xiaomi Pad Mini. As mentioned, this tablet won’t be coming to any Western markets under current plans, which I think is a real shame given how well this device competes against the 2024 iPad mini. If you'd like to see an in-depth comparison, let us know in the comments below.

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Despite its small size, the iPad mini is a mighty tablet, and that’s also what makes it a pricey purchase at its regular price. However, it's cheaper than theiPad Air and is a better performer than the more budget-friendly baseline 2025 iPad. It straddles a good middle line, but at full price it's best suited to those looking for a smaller tablet for travelling or working on the go.

However, now at just AU$687 on Amazon, it's the Goldilocks of iPads – providing the best of both worlds to those who want more power than the 2025 iPad offers, but don't quite have the budget for an Air or iPad Pro. You still get a premium tablet experience, just within a supremely compact build.

While Apple’s M-series chipsets are the masters of power, the iPad mini was upgraded with the A17 Pro chip instead – the same chip that powers the iPhone 15 Pro. This might seem elementary compared to the M3-powered iPad Air, but the A17 Pro is no slouch.

The 7th-gen iPad mini has no issue running pro-level image editing apps like Adobe Lightroom, and our tester easily edited 4K videos on it using Adobe Premiere Rush. You'll find smooth performance here thanks to 8GB of RAM, which doubles what we saw on the previous iteration of the mini.

The upgraded RAM was added even before Apple Intelligence was a thing, but now ensures it’s an affordable way to access AI functionality – and they're not just fun add-ons. Apple's AI features range from the ability to create your own Genmojis to complete writing and drawing tools, built-in ChatGPT for quick answers and Visual Intelligence – perfect for creative users.

The iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) is the best compact tablet on the market, offering everything that most users could want – just on a smaller screen.

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I can certainly spot a great phone or tablet deal when I see one, but it’s rare that I feel personally tempted by a tech discount. Right now, though, I’m feeling annoyed that I don’t live in the US, because you can get the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chipset for $379 (was $499) at Amazon.

• See all of today's best Amazon Prime Day deals

This Amazon Prime Day deal knocks $120 off Apple’s small-form-factor tablet. The iPad mini sports an 8.3-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, and has remained a fan favorite thanks to its portability and potential for one-handed use, and its full support for the Apple Pencil and Apple Intelligence.

I’ve always found the iPad mini charming, but a touch too expensive to pick up considering I’ve already got a larger iPad Pro. At $379, though, I’d be tempted nab one as a secondary tablet to use as a travel companion, e-reader, and notepad – alas, in the UK the iPad mini is only £20 off at £479 (was £499) at Amazon.

Amazon Prime Day deal: iPad mini

Being a somewhat niche product with a number of dedicated fanbases (it’s a noted favorite of recreational pilots), the iPad mini is normally priced at a fairly steep $499 for the model with 128GB of storage, to this Prime Day deal is a genuinely good one.

For such a compact slate, the iPad mini has plenty going on under the hood. It’s got the A17 Pro chipset lifted from the iPhone 15 Pro, and 8GB of RAM, which enables Apple Intelligence and smooth multitasking. That’s a lot of power for such a portable device.

Like most iPad models, the iPad mini managed battery life of around 10 hours in testing for our iPad mini (2024) review, which is impressive considering it has a moderately-sized 5078mAh cell.

And I can’t believe I’ve made it this far without mentioning the design – thanks to that taller aspect ratio, the iPad mini might be my favorite-looking iPad in Apple’s lineup. The rounded corners, flat edges, and single camera come together to offer something elegant, minimal, but still fun thanks to an array of color options.

So, if you’re after a powerful personal tablet, secondary iPad, or a cheap gateway to Apple Intelligence, the iPad mini could be the one for you – I know it would be for me at a price this great, if only I lived in the States.

More Prime Day tablet deals

Amazon's Prime Day sale - quick links

• Amazon Prime membership: free 30-day trial
• Amazon Devices: 50% off TVs, Echo & Fire Sticks
• Apple: AirPods + iPads from $99
• Back to school: deals from $5.99
• Beauty: 80% off toothbrushes & skincare
• Headphones: $120 off Bose, Apple & Sony
• Health: electric toothbrushes from $24.99
• Kitchen: 54% off Ninja, Nespresso & Keurig
• Laptops: record-low prices from $175
• Tablets: iPads and Samsung from $54.99
• Toys: 40% off Lego, scooters & Toniebox
• TVs: cheap TVs from $59.99
• Vacuums: Shark, Bissell & Dyson from $49.99

It’s officially Memorial Day weekend, and we’re seeing discounts across the board. You can already save on the excellent LG B4 OLED and a trove of earbuds or headphones, but ahead, I’m sharing a stellar deal on one of my favorite iPads.

• Amazon Memorial Day sale – here are the 27 best deals I'd add to my cart

Amazon’s been discounting the latest-generation iPad mini for a good bit, and for this holiday weekend, it’s sticking at a return to the lowest price ever. The iPad mini with the A17 Pro inside and 128GB of storage is $100 off in every color, down to just $399. That’s a 20% discount on the $499 MSRP.

For that price, you get strong performance from the A17 Pro chipset for work and play, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and a vibrant 8.3-inch display. It’s a return to the lowest price ever, and considering Memorial Day sales don’t necessarily meet the same bar as an Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, I’m not sure this discount will get lower soon.

Memorial Day iPad deal

Within the iPad lineup, which spans four different models, two of which come in 11-inch or 13-inch sizes, the iPad mini is sort of the sweet spot. Yes, it's the smallest screen available at 8.3 inches, but it's a great one for watching content, reviewing emails, sending messages, browsing the web, playing a few games, and also stretching for more creative tasks.

The A17 Pro inside does support Apple Intelligence, but we're still waiting for all those promised features to drop, most notably, the AI-powered Siri, which has been delayed. Even so, that processor lets the iPad mini breeze through nearly any task, whether splitting the screen, editing within Final Cut Pro, or even using ProCreate with an Apple Pencil.

With this generation, Apple doubled the internal storage from 64GB to 128GB – so you'll have plenty of room to download your favorite apps and content. And if you want the stylus experience, the Apple Pencil Pro or the Apple Pencil USB-C work just fine with the iPad mini.

I especially like this iPad's portability. The 8.3-inch screen isn't ultra-small, making this tablet pocketable. When taking notes or drawings, it's also pretty close to the size of a Moleskine notebook.

So, if you've been eyeing an iPad mini or even a new iPad and are okay with the smallest screen size of the lineup, it's an excellent time to score the tablet and save big. Again, the 128GB iPad mini in blue, purple, Space Gray, or Starlight is on Amazon for 20% off at $399.

If you're after savings on other iPad models or the rest of Apple's lineup, check out our roundup of those deals here.

The best Memorial Day sales - quick links

• Amazon: 50% off TVs, lawnmowers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $117
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Casper: up to 30% off all mattresses
• DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses - deals from $399
• Home Depot: 35% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lowe's: up to 40% off grills, appliances, tools & patio
• Nectar: mattress deals from $349, up to 50% off
• Purple: up to $700 off mattresses + free base
• Samsung: up to $1,500 off select appliances
• Target: 50% off patio furniture & accessories
• Tempur-Pedic: up to $500 mattress sets
• Walmart: grills, mattresses, cheap TVs & vacs from $69

You don't have to wait for Memorial Day itself to score a great deal, thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, which launched earlier this week. Case in point: you can grab the latest iPad mini on sale at Amazon for $399 (was $499) right now.

• See the full Amazon Memorial Day sale

With $100 off its original price, this means the smallest yet surprisingly capable tablet in Apple's iPad family is back to its lowest-ever price. With that neat saving, I can heartily recommend the iPad mini as it's a fantastic little device.

Today’s best Memorial Day iPad deal

As you'll see in our iPad mini A17 Pro review, the small tablet offers a lot despite its compact size, with plenty of power, a decently punchy display and a solid battery life. And I can attest to a lot of that being an iPad mini user myself.

I love how it can slip into a jacket pocket and becomes a great travel companion, be if for taking notes at events, reading ebooks while on a train or plane, or watching Netflix while sprawled on a a hotel bed.

At full price, it's a great tablet, but with $100 off it's even better. And that money can be used to buy a suite of premium apps, or sign up to Apple Arcade, which offers a slew of original games that are great on tablets.

The best Memorial Day sales - quick links

• Amazon: 50% off TVs, lawnmowers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $117
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Casper: up to 30% off all mattresses
• DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses - deals from $399
• Home Depot: 35% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lowe's: up to 40% off grills, appliances, tools & patio
• Nectar: mattress deals from $349, up to 50% off
• Purple: up to $700 off mattresses + free base
• Samsung: up to $1,500 off select appliances
• Target: 50% off patio furniture & accessories
• Tempur-Pedic: up to $500 mattress sets
• Walmart: grills, mattresses, cheap TVs & vacs from $69

When it comes to portable tablets, is there anything better than the Apple iPad mini? Answers on a postcard, please. Thanks to a new deal we've just spotted, I think it should jump straight to the top of your list. For a limited time only, you can snag the iPad mini (A17 Pro) at Amazon for $399 (was $499).

According to our best tablets guide, we certainly think the iPad mini is up there with the best and more than worthy of consideration when buying a tablet. This price drop means it's back to its lowest ever price – another great reason to buy right now.

Today’s best iPad mini deal

The verdict of our iPad mini A17 Pro review calls the tablet "a premium mini tablet experience that still captivates" thanks to the excellent build, gorgeous screen and a fantastic level of performance.

The compact form factor lends itself to ultimate portability, while the powerful processor ensures you'll be able to get everything done with no holdups. The 10-hour battery also keeps you going for longer and is enough to stand up to most daily demands.

At this price, it's going to be the perfect device for most people, and after a couple of years you can pass it on to the kids while you invest in a new one.

There are other Apple tablets around, which is why we have an up-to-date iPad deals page. If you'd prefer to explore other manufacturers instead, then you'll want our more generic but equally helpful tablet deals page.

• A new rumor suggests the next iPad mini may get an OLED screen
• This would make it the second iPad to get the upgrade, after the iPad Pro
• The rumor is light on details, and Apple has not acknowledged it

When the iPad Pro M4 released in 2024, Apple made waves by equipping its premier high-end tablet with a stunning OLED display – the first on any iPad model.

Since then, we’ve been wondering which iPad will be the next to make the leap from older LCD tech to the increased contrast and color accuracy of OLED – and a new rumor suggests an unlikely candidate could be next up.

Noted tipster Digital Chat Station (via GSMArena) made a post on Weibo suggesting that “iPad is evaluating small OLED” in the context of mainstream tech companies producing 8.8-inch tablets.

Admittedly, that’s not a lot to go on, but Digital Chat Station has a fairly decent record and is considered one of the more reliable tipsters posting on Chinese platforms.

The current-gen iPad mini, released at the tail-end of 2024, sports an 8.3-inch display. The post isn’t clear enough to know whether Digital Chat Station is implying a screen size increase for the iPad mini, as well as the new OLED tech.

Our iPad mini (2025) review found the tablet very impressive overall, but an OLED screen upgrade would still be more than welcome.

The iPad mini is the second-cheapest iPad model by starting price. At $499 / £499 / AU$799, it’s only beaten by the base model iPad, which clocks in at $329 / £329 / AU$599.

This would leave the LCD-equipped iPad Air models sandwiched between the iPad mini and iPad Pro on Apple’s pricing ladder – but while this might seem like an odd choice, I think this strategy could actually be a realistic one.

Analysis: why an OLED iPad mini could make sense

Though the iPad mini does sit between the iPad and iPad Air on Apple’s tablet pricing ladder, it isn't really accurate to consider it as an intermediate option between the two.

It’s more realistic to think of the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro forming a contiguous product line aimed at mainstream consumers, with the iPad mini offering a similar experience to a niche market of small tablet fans.

The trend across all mobile devices for the last decade has been larger screens. The iPhone has increased from 4.7 to 6.9 inches, and the iPad from 9.7 to a maximum 13 inches of screen size.

The iPad mini is unique in that it’s only increased very slightly in the same timespan, from 7.9 to 8.3 inches, most of which can be attributed to the adoption of the modernized, full-screen iPad design language.

That’s all to say that the people buying an iPad mini are probably buying it because it has a small display, not because they’re looking to save money versus an iPad Air or iPad Pro.

As such, it makes sense that Apple would begin extending some of those higher-end features to the iPad mini, as its target audience would probably never experience them otherwise.

And with the iPad mini enjoying popularity in certain professional and high-end leisure spaces – it’s a known favorite of pilots – there’s definitely scope for some feature upgrades.

As well as an OLED screen, I’d personally love to see the iPad mini get an M-series chipset. That might seem like overkill for such a small device, but when you consider the M1 chipset turns five years old this year, it’s not such a big ask.

For now, though, I think the addition of an OLED screen would be enough – a sign from Apple that their small tablet is still a priority, despite only comprising 10% of iPad sales (as MacRumors reports).

The only real sticking point could be price. A browse of Reddit suggests there are plenty of casual users who love the iPad mini for email, reading, web browsing – standard day-to-day stuff. I wouldn’t want to see these users saddled with any major price hikes as a result of the iPad mini getting closer to the Pro.

Of course, the above is pretty much entirely based on rumor at this point, so we’ve got a bit of a wait-and-see situation on our hands. For now, be sure to keep up with our iPad coverage and let us know what you’d like to see come to the iPad mini in the comments below.

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Apple just refreshed the iPad Air and entry-level iPad, and while both are discounted as part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the standout deal for me is on my all-time favorite iPad, and the most compact one – the iPad mini, which is an excellent $100 off right now.

• Shop Amazon's full Spring Sale

It's now in its seventh generation and is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which ensures excellent performance for really any task, supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and even offers Apple Intelligence. None of that makes it my favorite, though.

The clincher for me is its ultra-portable size and the excellent, vibrant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. What makes the iPad mini even more appealing right now – beyond its 4.5 out of 5 star rating in our iPad mini (2024) review – is that it's back down to the lowest price ever on Amazon.

Today's best iPad mini deal

Given the 8.3-inch screen size, the iPad mini is basically the size of a classic Moleskin notebook. This makes it excellent for travel, with a big-enough screen to split it between two apps: watching a movie, taking a FaceTime call, browsing the web, or even getting some work done.

Considering it weighs under a pound, you can easily bring the iPad mini with you, and it's wrapped in a sleek aluminum build. And whenever I'm headed out on a trip, the iPad mini is my tablet of choice thanks to its size, which still feels expansive, and strong battery life.

The best part, though, are the colors the iPad mini comes in: Starlight, Space Gray, Blue, or Purple.

While they all look great, the Purple mini does it for me – it's a gorgeous light lavender, and thanks to the matte finish the hue will change depending on how the light hits it.

The iPad mini is also up to the challenge for pretty much anything you would want to accomplish within iPadOS, thanks to the A17 Pro chip inside. You can even draw or take notes on it with the more advanced Apple Pencil Pro.

Whether you have an aging iPad at home and have been waiting to make the upgrade, or you've been contemplating which model to get, the latest iPad mini should be at the top of your list for its sheer specs, and doubly so thanks to this excellent discount. It's a return to the lowest price we've ever tracked: just $399 (or $399.99 if you're picky about your colors) and you get a sizeable 128GB of storage with the entry-level model.

Amazon Big Spring Sale – quick links

• Amazon Devices: up to 40% off Kindle & Echo
• Appliances: up to 30% off Nespresso and Ninja
• Headphones: Bose, Anker and Beats from $19.99
• Health: 45% off Oral-B, Crest & Philips
• Laptops: from $169.99
• Phones: up to $300 off Google and Samsung
• Smart home: Ring and Blink from $17.99
• Tablets: Fire tablets from $59.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego and Marvel
• TVs: cheap TVs from $74.99
• Vacuums: up to $400 off Shark and Roborock

• Demand has reportedly been weak for the OLED iPad Pro
• This means there are some expected changes to Apple's OLED roadmap
• This year's iPad Pro upgrade is set to be a minor one

Our iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) review will tell you that we love the most recent version of the tablet – the first to sport an OLED screen – but it doesn't come cheap, and its price is reportedly leading to weak demand for the Apple slate.

This comes from the industry analysts at Meritz Securities (via @Jukanlosreve), with around 5.7 million units apparently shipping last year. If accurate, that figure is some way down on the nine million units Apple was originally hoping to shift.

What's more, the same report says there won't be many changes in the OLED iPad Pro rumored to launch later this year. While it is predicted to get an upgrade to an M5 chip, it sounds as though everything else will be more or less the same.

Given that the device isn't exactly flying off the shelves right now, and won't get a big upgrade this year, Apple is said to be revising its OLED tech plans – with some products coming forward and some getting pushed back.

What's coming next

Under the new schedule, the OLED iPad mini will make an appearance in 2026, while the OLED iPad Air is going to jump forward from 2028 to 2027 – that's if Meritz Securities and its sources have got their information correct.

An upgrade to the OLED tech in the iPad Pro – incorporating something called Capsule OLED Encapsulation, for improved performance and durability – has apparently been pushed back from 2027 to 2028.

While the starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 might be putting potential buyers off the 2024 iPad Pro, it seems Apple will continue to use the most expensive OLED displays for it. The iPad mini and iPad Air are thought to be getting cheaper OLED tech.

We most recently saw a new 7th-gen iPad Air and a refreshed entry-level iPad from Apple – neither of which come with an OLED display. If you're wondering which one is the right pick for you, check out our guide to the best iPads.

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Right now, Apple’s iPad lineup is a strong four, two of which come in two sizes. Just this morning, Apple ushered in the next generation of the iPad Air and the entry-level iPad, which is now dubbed iPad (A16).

Even with the gorgeous Dynamic OLED display on the iPad Pro, the bite-sized build of the iPad mini, and the sheer value of the iPad Air – now with M3 – the entry-level iPad is still a perfect balancing act.

On paper, the most recent upgrade seems minimal – it’s a jump from the A14 Bionic chip to the A16, which Apple promises delivers up to 50% better performance and a doubling of the internal storage from 64GB to 128GB. Both of these keep this iPad ticking, but what it doesn’t bring is support for Apple Intelligence.

It's kind of a surprise, yes, but it also shows that Apple isn’t necessarily on a quest to bring it to every device, or at least not at this time. Further, I think it’s a sign of what this entry-level iPad is all about and a testament to the fact that the rest of the hardware here makes it a pretty perfect package.

High-end looks with likely stellar performance

There is no knocking the iPad (A16) for its looks – it still comes in some fun colors and boasts an iPad Air-esque design with rounded edges and a healthy bezel around the now-called 11-inch Liquid Retina display that’s still 10.86 inches. It looks modern in every sense of the word, even though it’s stuck in the design language that was used when it was the tenth Generation.

This was also the first iPad with a front-facing camera on the landscape side and Apple’s still sticking with that placement on everything but the iPad mini. You also get an easy way of unlocking and purchasing with Touch ID built into the power button, and there is a camera on the back should you want to take photos with your iPad.

The Apple Pencil situation here is still a little complicated as the iPad (A16) has a USB-C port but supports the first-generation Apple Pencil even though it has a Lightning port built-in. To charge it, you’ll need an adapter and a USB-C to USB-C cable – it’s incredibly clunky, but it works.

You can also opt for the Apple Pencil with USB-C, which you can slide the top over to expose the USB-C port to plug it in for charge. That’s equally clunky. It does magnetically attach to the side of the iPad (A16) for safe-keeping, but that won’t charge it.

Once you figure out how to keep it charged, it works like an Apple Pencil should – giving you an experience that’s close to writing with pen to paper or drawing on a surface. Scribble is supported here, letting you write a message, and the iPad automatically translates it to text. It was kind of an Apple Intelligence-like feature before that was dubbed the name for Apple’s suite of AI functionality.

The A16 chip here should be plenty powerful for all the major tasks one would want to use an iPad for, like:

• Following a recipe
• Browsing the web
• Playing a game from the App Store or Apple Arcade
• FaceTiming with friends or family
• Reading a book
• Listening to Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run
• Scrolling through photos or editing some
• Typing a story … maybe even this one?
• Taking notes with an Apple Pencil
• Endless other things
• Streaming movies and TV shows

You get the point, but the vast majority of things that one can do on an iPad are all possible here (with the notable exception of Apple Intelligence). No, it might not replace a high-performance workflow that you’d need an iPad Air or iPad Pro for, but for the basics and even some more fun processes, the iPad (A16) is more than capable.

After all, to deserve the name of iPad, it needs to be an iPad. But when my friends or family ask me which one is best, if they aren’t doing anything crazy and simply want an iPad to join the bandwagon, as a secondary device, or as one for streaming content, this entry-level iPad checks off the boxes.

It has the better Magic Keyboard

If you want to use the iPad for email, spreadsheets, or other productivity tasks, it also works with my favorite Apple keyboard accessory. The Magic Keyboard Folio has two parts: one that magnetically snaps to the back with a kickstand that you can prop up at various heights, and a keyboard on the front complete with function keys and a good-sized trackpad.

When you don’t need the keyboard, that front piece can snap to the back with the keys facing inward so you don’t accidentally have the keys pressed. It’s great and super functional; it’s not the cheapest, though, at $249.

The previous tenth-generation iPad is our pick for the ‘Best iPad’ overall, and on our Best Tablets page, is the best for most. I expect that this iPad (A16) will quickly shuffle into that spot with better performance after we go hands-on, even without Apple Intelligence.

So if you can live without Image Playground, summarized notifications, or writing tools and want an iPad for drawing, browsing the web, FaceTiming with friends or family, gaming, and streaming your favorite content, don’t dismiss the entry-level iPad … it’s pretty awesome. And I can’t wait to test one out, hopefully in Yellow or Pink.

Apple's taking preorders now for the iPad (A16) with a starting price of $349 / £329, and it will formally launch on March 12, 2025.

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The Apple iPad mini is a beautifully compact and portable tablet, which is hands down one of the best iPads Apple has ever made. As well as portability, the built-in A17 Pro chip provides an unbelievable level of power. And thanks to a deal we've just spotted, you can get the iPad mini (A17 Pro) at Amazon for $399 (was $499).

The 8.3-inch display makes it a perfect travel companion whether you want to catch up on your favorite shows, browse the web, or get some work done. It’s also ideal if you have small hands or just want something extra lightweight to take around with you. It’s bigger than your phone while being lighter to carry than a laptop.

Today’s best iPad mini deal

Our iPad mini review tells you that we particularly love the stylish design. Everyone knows that Apple is synonymous with great design and that's truly on display here with the iPad mini. There are many good reasons that it's one of the best tablets and has been for a long time.

Our praise highlights its compact form factor and powerful processor that keeps everything running smoothly. Its size means you can throw it in a rucksack, a handbag, or your kids can use it in the car.

The 10-hour battery life is also enough to stand up to most daily demands, even if you can't get to a charging point every day. The iPad mini also works great with the Apple Pencil - an ideal combo for artists and those seeking more productive creative workflows.

If you'd like to explore alternatives then head over to our iPad deals or tablet deals pages. You'll find plenty of options based on your needs and budget.

For those who prefer portability without scrimping on power, you can buy the Apple iPad mini (A17) at Best Buy for $399 (was $499). This $100 saving drops the latest iPad mini back to its lowest price since it launched in late 2024 and it’s one tablet deal that has me tempted to upgrade.

The latest Apple iPad mini has a considerable performance boost with the introduction of the A17 Pro chip, which has also been used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max range.

The previous iPad mini was starting to fall behind in performance but still had an ideal design in many other ways that I loved. This tablet retains its super portable nature with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, some convenient cameras and support for Apple accessories, all while being powerful for the size and price.

Today's best Apple iPad mini deal

In our Apple iPad mini (A17) review, we described it as “a premium mini tablet experience that still captivates” thanks to it being “small and powerful”. It has an excellent build and a lovely screen with the only true criticism being that it’s a touch on the pricey side. Something less of an issue while it’s discounted.

Featuring among the best iPads as well as the best tablets overall, the Apple iPad mini (A17)’s strongest point is how portable it is. I’ve used the previous iPad mini extensively and I’m tempted to opt for the performance boost that this one provides.

There are, of course, other iPad deals around if you want the extra oomph of the iPad Pro but it won’t be as portable. You may wish to take a look at the iPad Air deals going on too if you want something that bridges the gap between iPad mini and iPad Pro.

Apple’s had a busy 2024, and alongside Apple Intelligence, new Macs, and a whole family of iPhones, there’s been the iPad. In fact, the iPad Pro and iPad Air were the sole focus of the company's first ‘Special Event’ in 2024, and a new iPad mini was central to the launch of Apple’s AI features.

And now that 2024 is coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the iPad this year. Yes, we got the thinnest device Apple has ever made in the form of the iPad Pro, and the iPad Air trickled down a supersize iPad for the masses, and the new iPad mini, well, was a new mini in a very similar form factor. Even so, though, the 9th Gen iPad and 10th Gen iPad were left untouched.

iPadOS 18 brought some new tricks, including the arrival of Apple Intelligence – mainly Scribble and Type to Siri, a new look for Siri, and Clean Up – but those yearning for a more desktop-class experience were left waiting.

So, as we look to 2025 and likely the arrival of a few new iPads, including an entry-level and iPadOS 19, let’s look back at 2024's highs and lows, and what we want to see next year.

Apple’s iPad in 2024

Let’s roll it back to May 7, 2024, to Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event – the technology giant dropped the 11” and 13” iPad Pro and the 11” and 13” iPad Air. Both devices tested very well in our reviews, but the iPad Pro was a skinny, lightweight powerhouse. The iPad Pro is the thinnest product Apple has ever shipped, besting the iPad Nano, but it was also the first product with the M4 chip. The iPad Pro was super speedy and arrived with Apple's first-ever Tandem OLED display.

Seriously, we described that screen as “the most exciting thing about the iPad Pro” and further that Apple’s flagship tablet as an “incredibly accomplished and versatile device.” The M4 power, which made iPadOS run swimmingly, also extended a runway for more ‘Pro” creative workflows like music creation in Logic Pro for iPad and movie-making within Final Cut Pro. You can also do more in ProCreate with the Apple Pencil Pro.

While the iPad Pro was top-of-the-line, with a flashy, ultra-thin look, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air packed a ton of value into a lower-priced package. Furthermore, it finally trickled down to a bigger screen with less Apple tax. Our review called the 13-inch iPad Air an “attractive and very portable slab that’s ready for just about anything.” Sure, it only has an M2 chip inside, but it still can run rings around most other tablets on the market

Both the Pros and Airs supported the new Apple Pencil Pro, which felt like an accessory that had been coming for a long time. The two headline features it delivered were haptic feedback, allowing one to squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro to trigger an action or open a menu, but thanks to a gyroscope, you could also barrel roll the souped-up styles. We’ve seen Apple update its apps to take advantage of this, as well as third parties like Procreate.

Maybe the most surprising thing Apple did with the iPad in 2024, though, was support the new Apple Pencil Pro on the iPad mini (A17 Pro or 7th Generation). It made the latest iPad mini jump beyond just being fit for note-taking but also leveled up its ability for drawing even if the display stayed the same.

And that about sums up the latest iPad mini – it keeps a familiar form factor, actually the exact measurement and the same 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with Touch ID built into the power button and a CenterStage capable camera, but leaps with processing power. Like the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, the A17 Pro powers the iPad mini and makes it run quite well, but most importantly, it supports Apple Intelligence.

It’s still excellent and scored four and a half out of five stars in our review, but we – like many others – can’t help but hope that a redesigned iPad mini with an OLED display like the tandem one in the iPad Pro might be on the horizon.

What’s to come in 2025?

While we can’t fully predict the future, the rumor mill for the iPad lineup certainly comes in handy. Considering Apple ushered in new versions of every iPad except the entry-level in 2024, we’re fully expecting the iPad's 11th generation to arrive in 2025. Much like the current 10th Generation, it should stick with a familiar look, mimicking the iPad Air with a 10.9-inch Retina display.

As far as what could be upgraded, as Apple tends to do with the entry-level iPad, it will likely be a spec bump, and if you guessed AI, it might just support Apple Intelligence. This means it could jump from the A14 chip, currently found in the 10th generation, to an A17 Pro or even an A18 to support Apple’s latest software suite.

Expect it to stick with 64GB as starting storage, something that’s a win for us all, and a USB-C port for easy charging and data transfers. Might it get support for the Apple Pencil Pro? That remains a bit more uncertain, but it’s certainly not off the table with that accessory being supported on the latest iPad mini.

While we wouldn’t expect a new iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad mini in 2025 – remember, these were all upgraded this year – we should get iPadOS 19 for all these models. It will likely continue the Apple Intelligence rollout, but it could also be the software upgrade that brings better multitasking and possibly better interoperability with other devices.

Apple’s iPad lineup is looking pretty good now, but we might just get a surprise or two in the next year; we’ll all just need to stick along for the ride. As always, keep an eye on TechRadar for the latest on all things iPad, Apple, and tech as a whole.

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• The iPad mini is rumored to get an OLED upgrade in 2026
• This would make it the second Apple tablet to get this screen tech
• OLED would bring major benefits over the tablet’s current display

There was a time when the iPad mini was Apple’s forgotten tablet, but those days seem to be long behind us. With a powerful A17 Pro chip and a pocketable design, the iPad mini is returning to glory. Now, it looks like that trajectory could continue with a major upgrade that’s due to arrive in the next couple of years.

According to a report published by industry analysts Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), the iPad mini will get an 8.5-inch OLED display in 2026. Not only would that be a slight size increase on the current model’s 8.3-inch screen, but it'd incorporate OLED technology for the first time in Apple’s miniature tablet.

That would be a significant step up over the current LED screen that the iPad mini uses and would bring better contrast, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles, among other benefits.

An update like that could help to make the iPad mini the dark horse of Apple’s tablet range. Not only would it be more affordable than something like the iPad Pro or iPad Air, but its improved screen could make it the ideal device for watching content on the go, giving you a beautiful display on your travels without weighing you down. When you look at it like that, 2026’s iPad mini looks like a very attractive prospect, on paper.

OLED on the way

The iPad mini wasn’t the only device mentioned in DSCC’s report. The company also touched on the iPad Air, where both the 11-inch and 13-inch models are mooted to get an OLED upgrade in 2027 – an idea backed up by an earlier leaked roadmap from analysts Omdia. If correct, it means only the entry-level 10.9-inch iPad will be without an OLED display by 2027.

Also in 2027, DSCC believes that Apple will launch a new iPad Pro with an 18.8-inch foldable display. This would be Apple’s first foldable device (ahead of the folding iPhone) and could take the high-end tablet into new territory.

While many recent rumors have focused on this large foldable iPad Pro, including those from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Wall Street Journal, and Omdia, little attention has been paid recently to the iPad mini.

But with an OLED display apparently on the way, it’s likely that a lot more people will sit up and take notice of Apple’s tiniest tablet over the coming years.

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The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But I don't give a hoot, as I'm back to tell you to really consider one of the best Cyber Monday iPad deals; right now, the iPad mini is on sale at Amazon for $469 (was $499). In the UK, the new iPad mini can be had for £459 at Amazon (was £499).

Now, I'll admit that the US deal price has gone up by $10 since Black Friday, but for a 2024 Apple tablet with the power to run Apple Intelligence and a whole suite of demanding games, $469 is still a pretty great price. And if you don't want that one, then the older iPad mini, which is the one I use, can be found for as little as $378 at Amazon.

Not in the US or UK? Scroll down for iPad deals in your area.

Today's best iPad mini deals in the US

Today's best iPad mini deal in the UK

As I've said before, I'm emphatic about these iPad deals, that's because I love using my iPad mini and want everyone to get in on my compact fondle-slate fun.

Sure, smartphones have large screens these days that may render a small tablet a tad moot, but I love the iPad mini due to how well it handles iPadOS in a small form factor. It makes for a great device to tap notes on, a really good mobile games console, a neat e-reader, and just a satisfying tablet to scan the news on or look up random things that pop into my increasingly erratic mind.

Add in more power in the 2024 model, and you've got some 8 inches of fantastic tablet fun. So, yeah, just go and buy it.

More of today's Cyber Monday sales in the US

• Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99
• Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99
• Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones
• B&H Photo: up to $900 off cameras, laptops, accessories
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99
• Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
• Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping
• Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99
• Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture
• Lowe's: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31
• Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
• Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry
• Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances
• Target: save on furniture, Halloween, tech & clothing
• Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, furniture & appliances

More of today's Cyber Monday sales in the UK

• Amazon: up to 68% off toothbrushes and TVs
• AO: savings on games consoles and appliances
• Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts
• Boots: up to 50% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips
• Currys: big deals on TVs, appliances, laptops
• Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299
• Dyson: up to £150 off
• Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech
• EE: up to £600 off Samsung and Apple
• John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs
• LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances
• Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets
• Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing

With Apple Intelligence officially out in the wild, many are thinking about which Apple product to buy to get the most from Apple's own take on AI. Well, I'm TechRadar's Senior AI Writer and an Apple Intelligence expert, and I've found one of the best Black Friday iPad deals for you.

Right now, you can buy the iPad mini 7 at Amazon for $399 (was $499) and get the iPad that I think is the "perfect (and cheapest) device for Apple Intelligence", making this one of the best Black Friday Apple deals I've seen.

If you're in the UK the deal isn't quite as good, but you can get the iPad mini 7 for £470 (was £499) at Amazon, a saving not to be sniffed at on a cutting-edge iPad that launched just a month ago.

These Black Friday deals offer great savings on Apple's newest mini tablet, which, thanks to its powerful A17 chip will let you experience the best that Apple Intelligence has to offer.

Today's best iPad mini 7 deals

In TechRadar's iPad mini A17 Pro review, we said "If you liked the previous iPad mini, you'll like this one even more. Not because it's so different, but because of the powerful new brain that increases overall performance and also offers the promise of an Apple Intelligence-infused future."

I can confirm that my colleague Lance Ulanoff, who wrote the review, is spot on. This iPad mini is the perfect entry point to the Apple Intelligence future Apple has promised. This iPad mini offers a range of AI tools including Writing Tools, Clean Up, and Notification summaries. If that wasn't enough, the official release of iPadOS 18.2 is just around the corner, bringing Genmoji, Image Playground, and even ChatGPT integration to Siri.

Don't miss out on this excellent iPad mini 7 Black Friday deal – it's the perfect price to test out everything Apple Intelligence has to offer, so you can see if it will change your life, just like it changed Tim Cook's.

Looking for more Black Friday deals? Check out our Black Friday earbuds deals or our Black Friday headphones deals.

More of today's Black Friday sales in the US

• Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99
• Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99
• Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99
• Christmas trees: top-rated trees from $54.99
• Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
• Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping
• Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99
• Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture
• Lowe's: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31
• Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
• Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry
• Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances
• Target: save on furniture, tech & clothing
• Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, furniture & appliances

More of today's Black Friday sales in the UK

• Amazon: up to 58% off Kindle and Echo
• AO: savings on games consoles and appliances
• Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts
• Boots: up to 60% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips
• Carphone Warehouse: iPhone from £19.99p/m
• Currys: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops
• Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299
• Dunelm: deals on homewares and appliances
• Dyson: up to £150 off
• Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech
• EE Store: £40 off the PlayStation5 Pro
• Emma: up to 50% off mattresses
• Jessops: up to £900 off cameras and drones
• John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs
• LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances
• Ninja: up to £70 off air fryers
• Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets
• Shark: up to £100 off vacuums
• Toolstation: discounts on tools and smart home
• Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing

With the Black Friday deals pretty much in full swing it's time for me to dust off my yearly recommendation and flag that the iPad mini is on sale at Amazon for $349 (was $499) and I think you should simply go and buy it.

With the new iPad mini A17 Pro now out I suspect you'll be hard-pressed to find the older compact iPad being sold at full launch price anywhere, but $150 off that is still a good deal; the iPad mini 6 no longer features on our best iPads list, but it does make it onto my rundown of the best Black Friday tablet deals.

Not in the US? Scroll down for iPad deals in your area.

Today's best iPad mini deals

So why am I emphatic about this deal? Well, it's because I have the iPad mini 6 and have been an iPad mini users for years.

Sure, with larger smartphones now the norm one might wonder why a compact tablet has my affections. Simply put, it's just an awesome little device. Pretty much every trip I go on I have it with me; it's an excellent note-taking device, a good e-reader, great for mobile gaming, and excellent for media consumption when I'm lying in bed trying to avoid staring into the void.

It may not be the latest and greatest iPad mini, but its design is still slick, the A13 Bionic chipset rarely feels slow and that Retina display is still lovely to look at, despite the lack of a high refresh rate. I love the iPad mini, and I think if you give it a spin, especially at a bargain price, you will too.

More of today's Black Friday sales in the US

• Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99
• Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99
• Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99
• Christmas trees: top-rated trees from $54.99
• Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
• Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping
• Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99
• Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture
• Lowe's: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31
• Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
• Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry
• Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances
• Target: save on furniture, tech & clothing
• Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, furniture & appliances

Apple’s recently released iPad mini 7 is the cheapest device in the company’s lineup that offers Apple Intelligence, the new suite of AI tools. Starting at $499, which is $100 less than the next cheapest Apple Intelligence-compatible Apple device, the brand-new M4 Mac mini or the M2 iPad Air, the iPad mini is more compelling than ever and it has piqued my interest.

As TechRadar’s Senior AI Writer and someone who’s either worked for Apple or written about Apple products for a combined decade, I felt a duty to give the new iPad mini a try and see if it’s the perfect entry point to Apple Intelligence, or if you’re better investing in Apple AI elsewhere.

After using the iPad mini for a few days, getting to grips with iPadOS 18 in a smaller form factor, and testing out everything Apple Intelligence offers in iPadOS 18.1, it’s fair to say that I’m impressed with the mighty, but mini, tablet. So, here are three reasons why I think the cheapest Apple Intelligence-compatible device might also be the perfect entry device for you to give AI a try.

The perfect size for Writing Tools

Writing Tools is the standout feature of Apple Intelligence’s first wave of features and while it works flawlessly on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, I’ve found that it’s far more useful on the slightly larger display of the iPad mini 7. Interestingly, I never used Writing Tools on my M2 iPad Pro, but I’ve found the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip to be the perfect form factor for note-taking. Combine the iPad mini with the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence Writing Tools and you’ve got the best portable note-taking device Apple has to offer.

I’ve found Writing Tools to be a great addition to Notes on my iPad mini 7, making it very easy to format text into easy-to-read summaries and bullet points. While Writing Tools is identical on this device to other Apple Intelligence-compatible products it really stands out in the mini’s perfect pocketable format.

It’s just as good as my $1000+ iPhone

One of the main reasons I wanted to try Apple Intelligence on the iPad mini 7 was to see how it would compete with my more expensive Apple products like the iPhone 16 Pro Max or my M3 Pro MacBook Pro. While I’ve only been testing the tablet for a few days, I’m happy to say that the speed difference between the products is almost imperceptible.

I decided to launch Clean Up in Photos to compare the speed difference between my $500 iPad mini 7 and my $1200 iPhone 16 Pro Max with Apple’s A18 Pro chip. To my surprise, both were able to easily remove subjects from the background of my test photo, and if I didn’t see both side by side I’d never have noticed the speed difference. Yes, my iPhone 16 Pro Max was slightly faster at all the Apple Intelligence features I tried, but it was a far closer contest than I expected and ultimately emphasized just how good a bang for your buck the new mini is.

Try Apple Intelligence for less

I touched upon this earlier, but I want to go into more detail about why the iPad mini being the cheapest Apple Intelligence-compatible product is such a big deal. Not only can you pick an iPad mini up for under $500 and get a fantastic Apple Intelligence-powered tablet experience but it’s the perfect trial to see whether or not you really need Apple Intelligence in your life.

Let me explain. Imagine you own a very capable iPhone 15 or iPhone 14 Pro and are a bit annoyed at the lack of Apple Intelligence on your smartphone. You have a few options: Either you upgrade your iPhone which can be costly and often difficult to do due to phone contracts and monthly payment plans, you could opt to wait a few years before getting an Apple Intelligence-compatible device, or you could buy an iPad mini to fill the gap and give you everything Apple Intelligence has to offer without completely breaking the bank. Obviously, $500 isn’t cheap but you could get an incredible tablet with all of Apple AI’s bells and whistles and use it as a test to see if you should upgrade your iPhone when the iPhone 17 comes around next year.

I never thought an iPad mini would fit into my workflow, especially considering the 6.9-inch display of my 16 Pro Max. After using this mini powerhouse for a few days, however, it has given me a new insight into what Apple Intelligence is capable of and also become one of my favorite Apple products to date. Not only is it the perfect device for Apple Intelligence, but it’s the cheapest too, and one I’d recommend to anyone looking to take a leap of faith on Apple AI.

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• iPad mini 7 review

The internet was flooded with iPad mini 7 reviews this week after Apple's quiet announcement of the mini tablet on October 15. Given it's been three years since we last saw Apple launch an 8.3-inch iPad, surely it's a must-buy for tablet fans? According to those reviews, the answer is a little more complex than you might expect.

This is because the mini 7 is, most agree, something of a mixed bag. It now has an A17 Pro chip (for Apple Intelligence), supports the Pencil Pro, boosts its base storage to 128GB, and comes in fancy new colors. But its design and screen are also, among other things, the same as before. And that's disappointing to some who had lofty expectations for the tablet.

So, how did the iPad mini 7 perform in its various benchmarking tests and real-world scenarios? And what exactly can you use it for? We've gathered and summarized the biggest iPad mini 7 reviews so far in one handy place so you can decide if it's worth spending $499 / £499 / AU$799 – starting, of course, with TechRadar's own iPad mini 7 review.

TechRadar: 'A premium mini tablet experience that still captivates'

Our iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review praised the performance of Apple's new mini tablet, despite its inclusion of an older A17 Pro chip. In our GeekBench 6 tests, the scores show a significant performance jump from the iPad mini 6, which also supports Apple Intelligence features.

On the downside, the iPad mini 7 is otherwise largely identical to its predecessor. As we noted, "Apple didn't bother to upgrade the design, the screen, the cameras, or the speakers."

Our battery life tests showed that it also provides just over ten hours of battery life, which is about par for an 8.3-inch tablet. Still, while it isn't an exciting upgrade, we enjoyed our time with the iPad enough to give it four-and-a-half stars and a 'recommended' rating.

The Verge: 'The new Mini isn't much of an upgrade at all'

The most critical take on Apple's new mini tablet so far has come from The Verge. It even says the mini 7 "represents a new low for the product," while also stating "if you want an iPad mini, buy this one."

Those two statements can coexist in the same review because The Verge has grand visions of what the iPad mini could be, which the new version falls short of. The mini 7 "feels like an iPad designed by a supply chain," its review notes, and is best for those who want a small screen combined with a great Apple Pencil experience.

Like our tests, The Verge's benchmarking showed some useful real-world performance boosts from the mini 6, noting that everything is "one beat faster than the last model." But the elephant in the room is Apple Intelligence.

We don't yet know how good that will be, and The Verge concludes that unless it's "game-changingly incredible, there are few good reasons to buy the new iPad Mini instead of the old one."

CNET: 'Not really taking amazing strides into new territory'

CNET's take on the iPad mini 7 is that while it is underwhelming in many ways, it's also good enough if you've been waiting a few years to buy one.

A couple of interesting points that haven't been widely raised include a lack of new accessories to suit the tablet's form factor. CNET notes that a small Pencil or a small keyboard case would have been nice complements to the mini 7, but neither has arrived.

More annoyingly, the review also notes that the Apple Pencil 2 doesn't work with the new tablet – you need either the Pencil Pro or the cheaper USB-C Pencil. Still, aside from those gripes, CNET concludes that if you've been waiting to get an iPad mini, "it's a great time to get one." Even if, for owners of the iPad mini (2021), "these upgrades may not be that meaningful to you."

Engadget: 'Safe, boring and everything I want in a small tablet'

Engadget's iPad mini 7 review is something of a 'glass half full' take on the tablet. While it acknowledges the same limitations as other reviews – the dated screen, old-school design, lack of Face ID and no M-series chip – it still thinks Apple has done enough to deliver "the full iPad experience in a compact package."

The review also discusses in depth what you might actually use the iPad mini for. On a broad level, Engadget says, "It’s an enjoyable secondary device that I mostly used after the workday was done, in place of my MacBook Pro or iPhone."

More specifically, it highlights reading, messaging, gaming, and watching videos as the main use cases – alongside digital art and sketching, if you're inclined that way.

The verdict: Could be better, but good enough for most people

The iPad mini 7 has received a pretty lukewarm reception from reviewers (so far). The general consensus is that, while it's far from the best iPad mini that Apple could have made, it is the best small tablet you can buy. And that could be enough for you, depending on your needs.

All the reviews agree that it is a good time to buy an iPad mini for those who have been waiting patiently to do so. Where the conclusions differ slightly is on whether it represents a worthwhile upgrade for current Mini 6 owners.

The answer seems to largely depend on your expectations of the tablet. If you've been waiting for an iPad mini that delivers real-world boosts for gaming, apps, and photo or video editing, the benchmarking results show it delivers that. But if you were hoping for a Pro-level experience, you may still find it wanting.

The iPad mini 7 also supports Apple Intelligence, and while it isn't clear how future-proofed that A17 Pro chip will be down the line, it is another bonus if you're prepared to wait for Apple's AI features to flourish.

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• The iPad mini 7 comes with a handy RecoveryOS partition
• It can be restored with any iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 device
• There's no word yet on whether older tablets will get it

We've just awarded four-and-a-half stars out of five to Apple's newest tablet in our iPad mini 7 (2024) review, and we're even more enamored with the device after hearing it's borrowing a very handy recovery trick from the iPhone 16 series.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, the iPad mini 7 – like the iPhone 16 before it – comes with a special RecoveryOS partition. That means it can be restored and reset wirelessly with another iPhone or iPad, so there's no need to hook it up to a Windows or macOS computer.

When the feature was discovered on the iPhone 16 – the first iPhone to get the functionality – it wasn't clear whether or not it required the latest A18 chip to work. Now we know it'll operate fine with the A17 Pro chip inside the iPad mini 7 too.

Hopefully, it's a feature you're never going to need. However, should your iPad freeze up completely and become unresponsive, this does make the recovery process significantly easier if you've got another Apple phone or tablet to hand. It could also save you a trip to a repair shop or the Apple Store.

Recovery time

For now, the four iPhone 16 handsets and the iPad mini 7 are the only devices that can be restored wirelessly, because they have the dedicated RecoveryOS partition on board. However, the actual restoring can be done from any device running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, so you've got more options there.

It's not clear whether older devices are going to get this feature via a software update, though at this stage it seems unlikely. With iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 having been recently pushed out to devices, Apple has made no mention of this capability.

You can, though, restore several other Apple devices without plugging them into a computer – specifically the Apple Watch and the Apple TV 4K. It looks as though we're going to get it on all iPhones and iPads going forward, as well.

Your iPad mini 7 may automatically launch recovery mode if it's in trouble, or you can manually trigger it by pressing volume up, then volume down, then holding the power button. Apple offers full instructions for iPads and iPhones if you need them.

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Thanks to the upcoming release of Apple's iPad mini 7, Amazon has slashed the iPad mini 6 to a record-low price, giving us an early Black Friday surprise. The retailer has the 8.3-inch iPad mini on sale for $349.99 (originally $499) - an impressive $150 discount and an incredible deal for an Apple iPad.

Retailers typically wait until November to drop their best Black Friday deals, but because Apple's newest iPad is available tomorrow, Amazon is giving us an early Black Friday treat.

• Shop more of Amazon's best deals

The 2021 iPad mini features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and includes Apple's powerful A15 Bionic chip for speedy laptop-like performance. The small but mighty tablet packs 64GB of storage, a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera, Touch ID for secure authentication, and Apple Pay. The tablet also provides 10 hours of battery life and now supports the Apple Pencil and Bluetooth keyboards.

Early Black Friday surprise: iPad Mini deal

More of today's best deals at Amazon

You can also look forward to our guide to the best Black Friday Apple deals and our Black Friday TV deals roundup.

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: one-minute review

The variety in iPad sizes is impressive. You can get everything from a 13-inch giant iPad Pro down to an 8.3-inch iPad mini. Most people probably live in the middle with the popular 10.9-inch iPad Air or the new 11-inch Air, but that little one with the 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display has its adherents.

It's an almost pocket-friendly device that's popular with pilots, artists, ardent notetakers, social media scrollers, students, and readers. It's the color reading screen for those who don't want to read comics on a black-and-white Kindle (though that new Colorsoft does change things, am I right?). It's sometimes the second multipurpose slab in your arsenal, small and light enough to join you on vacation, and it's sometimes the perfect back-porch streaming companion.

The iPad mini is also a product that's been on the bubble. Many worried that Apple might simply cancel it. It was among the last two iPad holdouts to not get an M-class Apple silicon chip, and also the last mobile device to still include the 'mini' name (RIP iPhone mini) – the only other Apple product with that designation is the Mac mini.

Instead of killing it, Apple has essentially done a brain transplant, upgrading the previous model's A15 Bionic mobile CPU to the much more powerful A17 Pro. The choice is surprising, because Apple seems almost anxious to stuff its latest Apple silicon into every new device (see the M4-running iPad Pro); but this time Apple tapped the brakes a bit. There's nothing wrong with the A17 Pro, which is the same chip you'll find in last year's iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. It's Apple Intelligence-capable, and has more than enough power for a screen of almost any size.

If I have a frustration with the latest iPad, alternatively known as the iPad mini 7th Generation or iPad Mini A17 Pro, it's that it's virtually identical in every respect to the three-year-old iPad mini 6th generation. Apple didn't bother to upgrade the design, the screen, the cameras, or the speakers. The only hardware change that expresses itself on the outside of the tablet is one you can only see if you have an Apple Pencil.

The new iPad mini supports just two styluses: the Apple Pencil USB-C and the new Apple Pencil Pro. I wouldn't expect it to support the original Apple Pencil, but I am a little surprised that there's no support for the Apple Pencil 2. You can't even properly seat that Pencil on the charging base that sits on one long edge of the iPad, because Apple has reengineered the hardware underneath.

It's a small thing, really, and you will appreciate all the cool stuff you can do with a Pencil Pro, like squeeze it or use gestures to change tools and Scribble. And with 18.1 and Apple Intelligence, you can even Scribble to Siri.

What might matter most to iPad mini fans, though, is its ability to support Apple Intelligence. Only the A17 Pro and above (along with all M-class Apple chips) supports it, but you need to be running iPadOS 18.1. If you buy this new iPad, it will likely arrive with iPadOS 18 and, like my test unit, not yet support Apple Intelligence. That speaks to the general frustration many of us have when it comes to Apple's own brand of AI. It's dribbling out slowly, and still lacks core features like Siri with app access, user activity knowledge, contextual awareness, and ChatGPT access.

Some of these features may arrive by the end of October; others might not arrive until 2025. It's a mystery to me why Apple is moving so slowly in this regard. Eventually, I got a developer beta of iPadOS 18.1 onto the iPad mini, and it performs just as well as I hoped, enabling you, among other things, to quickly summarize notes or change the tone of an email with Writing Tools, have your Notifications summarized, and even get a priority look into your inbox. Hand-writing queries to Siri is pretty much tailor-made for the iPad, and you can be more precise when cleaning up photos.

Even without Apple Intelligence, the iPad mini is an excellent tablet. It's also a premium device, and priced like one, starting at $499 / £499 / AU$799 for 128GB of storage. At 9.7 inches, that iPad was larger and heavier (it weighed a pound and a half). The nice thing about the modern iPad mini is that the screen isn't much smaller than the one on the OG iPad, but it's a much higher resolution, and the device is so much smaller and lighter.

Few tablets are as versatile and powerful as the iPad mini. I used it for all kinds of work, creative, and entertainment activities and was never disappointed. It remains one of my favorite drawing devices.

If you own an iPad mini 6th generation, hold onto it and upgrade to iPadOS 18. Even without Apple intelligence, you'll be happy. If you've never owned an iPad and think the new iPad Air 11-inch and 10.9-inch iPad 10th gen are too large, and a 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max is too small, perhaps the iPad mini is the sweet spot you've been looking for. Plus, it supports a stylus, and even though the iPhone screens are getting mighty big, that's one thing they still don't offer.

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: price and availability

• Pricey for its size
• Fresh new colors

Apple unveiled the iPad mini A 17 Pro on October 15, 2025. It starts at $499 / £499 / AU$799 for 128GB of storage – that's the same price as the 2021 iPad mini in the US, but a £20 increase in the UK and AU$50 more if you’re in Australia. It costs $150 / £170 / AU$200 more than a 10th Gen iPad, which only has an A14 Bionic, and $100 / £100 / AU$200 less than the base iPad Air. There are cheaper mini-tablet options on the market, like the 8-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HD, which starts at $99.99 / £99.99 (it's not currently available in Australia), although you're only getting 32GB of storage, a pair of not-so-great 2MP cameras, and a Hexa-core CPU. Apple is essentially asking you to pay a premium price for a well-equipped product to perform premium and professional tasks. The new iPad mini is available in four colors: Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight (somewhere between silver and rose gold).

• Value score: 4 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: specs

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: display

• Still a brilliant and colorful screen
• 500 nits max

When Apple first introduced the iPad mini 6th generation in 2021, it was a big deal not only because of the wholesale redesign that brought the mini more in line with the iPad Air 4th Gen, which was released a year earlier, but also because was fitting a relatively large screen into a much smaller body.

The new mini also came with new display technologies, introducing the 326ppi Liquid Retina Display and LED backlighting to the mini line.

It's an excellent and responsive touchscreen that offers a wide color gamut, and, of course, Apple Pencil support. It has an antireflective coating, and is somewhat resistant to fingerprints. I'm not thrilled that the peak brightness is stuck at 500 nits when Apple's other mobile devices are pumping out, under certain conditions 2,000 nits. Still, this is a three-year-old technology, so I should not expect 2024 display updates.

My experience with the iPad Mini A 17 Pro was, in many ways, no different than with the 6th Gen model, and this is a good thing. As before, everything looks fantastic on the 8.3-inch display; games, photos, movies, apps, and web browsing are all great (I especially enjoyed perusing photos of baby animals on National Geographic – it tells me we're all hardwired to love baby animals, and I totally believe it).

The iPad mini truly shines, though, when you add an Apple Pencil. The mini now only supports the Pencil Pro and Pencil USB-C, and only the former can magnetically charge on the edge of the iPad Mini. The pens are optional extras though, so you'll pay an additional $129 for the Pro or $79 for the USB-C model – I think they're a worthwhile investment.

Apple Pencil Accessory

As an amateur artist, few things make me happier than drawing on an iPad, usually in Procreate. I alternate between drawing on a large 13-inch iPad Pro and the pint-sized mini, and even though the screen on the latter is comparatively small, I never find it constraining.

I can understand how some might think the 8.3-inch screen is too small a canvas or not large enough to multitask, but I'd have to disagree. I spent hours drawing the puppy you can see below in Procreate, and I did most of it on a split screen. I dragged the Safari browser window with my reference images up to the left and gave two-thirds of the screen to Procreate. It's enough space, I promise you.

One of the reasons why sketching on the iPad mini works is the feel of drawing with an Apple Pencil on the screen. Even though the screen is perfectly smooth, the Pencil tip provides just enough friction to make it feel like I'm drawing on something other than glass. In some apps, I can hover my pencil over the screen and see the cursor or drawing dot move with the Pencil. I can also squeeze it to change tools.

The Pencil is not just for drawing. For those who don't want to type, you can scribble words in various fields and, depending on the quality of your writing, the iPad will convert them to text. In Notes, I used the new Math Notes to write equations and had the iPad solve them for me in something that looked like my own handwriting. I wrote '200+36=' and the iPad quickly returned '236'. When I added a line under my original equation and the number 2 under that, Math Notes automatically knew to divide by two and updated my sum to '118'. Impressive – and fun.

With Apple Intelligence you'll be able to double tap near the bottom of the screen to open the Siri Text window, but instead of typing you'll write in your query with the Apple Pencil.

• Display score: 4.5 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: design

• This looks familiar

I've spent quite a bit of time examining the new iPad mini 7th gen from every angle, and there's virtually no difference between it and the previous model. I'm fine with that – this is a good and solid design. The 100% recycled aluminum chassis is thin, 6.5mm, and light, just 293 grams. To put that in perspective, the iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227 grams, so Apple's smallest iPad is just 66g heavier. I have big hands, and I can comfortably hold the 7.69in x 5.3-inch tablet in one hand; I usually have the Apple Pencil in the other.

The bezel around the screen is perhaps a bit thick by modern iPad standards, and I'm surprised that the FaceTime camera still lives on the narrow side of the display (Apple moved it for the iPad Pro). This means that if you want to make eye contact during a call you need to look at the left side of the iPad mini.

On one short edge is the very effective Touch ID (also power and sleep) button that I use not only to unlock the device but to sign into myriad accounts. Opposite it are the two volume buttons, and in between are a pair of speaker grilles; the other half of the stereo speaker system is on the other side of the iPad, which also houses the USB-C port.

The iPad mini offers no water resistance and doesn't have a dust rating. If you plan to take it to the beach, buy a case. There are still four colors to come from, but joining Starlight and Space Gray are new Purple and Blue shades. At first, I was very drawn to the Blue, a sort of light anodized take on the color that can change depending on how the light hits it, but Apple's latest take on Purple is surprisingly airy in lower light and can really pop when under direct light. These two new shades and Starlight – perfectly match the new AirPods Max.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: cameras

• Decent 12MP cameras
• Centerstage
• No telephoto

The iPad mini is just small enough that I could imagine people carrying it and taking pictures wherever they go. With a single 12MP wide-angle camera on the back, it will get the job done, and the photos it produces are rich in detail and color. However, they don't hold up to close scrutiny as well as photos from the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 48MP main camera.

The front camera takes nice selfies, but not portrait-mode shots. It's far more useful as a FaceTime camera and, when I used Centerstage, the ultrawide camera auto-cropped the frame to follow me around. It's a nice feature, especially if you like to walk and talk while conducting Facetime calls.

• Camera score: 3.5 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: software

• Control Center customization
• Home screen and widgets are more customizable
• Calculator
• New Photos app

The iPad mini A17 Pro ships with iPadOS 18, which brings with it many of the same features you'll find on iOS 18, including a customizable Control Center, the Photos app redesign, the new Passwords app, updated Messages, and the aforementioned Math Notes (one of my favorites).

Apple Intelligence is coming, too, bringing writing tools to help you craft better prose in almost any situation, Siri with a completely new look, and, eventually, better insights into how you use your iPad.

Aside from what's coming with Apple Intelligence, none of these changes will radically alter your iPad experience, though I do think most of them will make it better. I'm still on the fence about the Photos app, which is so different that I can't seem to find anything. At least it now includes natural language search queries that should make finding photos across vast libraries far easier.

In my brief time with Apple Intelligence on the iPad mini, courtesy of a developer beta of iPadOS 18.1, I was mostly impressed. Similar to the Apple Intelligence experience on the iPad Air, iPad Pro, Mac, or iPhone, it's currently a well-rounded set of firsts.

You can summarize notifications automatically, which makes it easier to triage them after your device has been in sleep mode overnight, or while you have 'Do Not Disturb' engaged during a long meeting. I especially like how it summarizes Slack and Group messages, generally providing a good gist and summary. The same goes for Mail in Apple's own app or third-party ones in Gmail.

The Apple Pencil Pro (or the Pencil USB-C) really shines when it comes taking notes, and while it's not an Apple Intelligence feature, Smart Script is still really impressive in use, as it cleans up your handwriting in a way that matches your style. I also still desperately wish I had Math Notes when I was growing up.

Maybe the most purpose-built part of Apple Intelligence for the iPad is Scribble to Siri, though, and it's handy for those times when you're taking notes or just using the Apple Pencil. You can double-tap on the bottom of the screen and start writing in the Siri box that appears to get answers – it could be a question about your calendar, the weather, a sports score, or even a smart home command.

Of course, there are still many Apple Intelligence features we're still waiting for, from the completely redesigned Siri with personal context and the ability to work within apps deeply, to Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration. When those do arrive, the iPad mini will be able to handle them all, and will be the cheapest way to get any of these or future Apple Intelligence features.

• Software score: 4.5 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: performance

• A17 Pro is a generation back
• Still has ample power
• Double the RAM

While I'm surprised the iPad mini 7th generation is not running on top-of-M-class Apple silicon (not even a now last-gen M3), the A17 Pro is no slouch. Plus, it's the first A-class chip that could support Apple Intelligence.

Adding a Pro-level chip to the mini is almost a recognition of the iPad's mini place in the creative and professional world. Pilots run apps like ForeFlight on it to plan trips. It's a complex and rich app that's not for the faint of heart (me) or a lightweight CPU. The iPad is also a popular drawing and image editing platform, and running pro-level image editing app Adobe Lightroom on it is no problem.

Similarly, I edited four streams of 4K videos at once in Adobe Premiere Rush. And when it came time to unwind, I played Asphalt Legends Unite, Madden NFL 25 Mobile, and Fallout Shelter.

The performance boost you'll see in the new iPad mini is borne out in its Geekbench 6 numbers. The CPU scores are all measurably higher.

It's not just the CPU that's powering all this performance – Apple has doubled the RAM from 4GB to 8GB. Most people believe this has to do with Apple Intelligence support, which appears to require at least that much RAM to perform Apple Intelligence's generative AI tasks locally (some tasks will still have to be done in Apple's encrypted Private Cloud Compute).

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) review: battery

• A long work or play day

Apple rates the iPad Mini 7th Gen at about 10 hours of battery, and in my anecdotal tests that's about right. It's not great battery life, and I wonder if we might have gotten more had Apple made the switch from the A17 Pro to a more efficient M2.

In our Future Labs tests, the new iPad mini managed around 10 hours and 36 minutes.

There's no wireless charging, which is a shame since this iPad seems like the perfect size to rest on a Qi MagSafe charger. At least the iPad ships with a woven USB-C cable and a nice 20W adapter.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024)?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024): Also consider

How I tested the iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024)

• Drew
• Watched TV
• Played Games
• Browsed the web
• Edited movies
• Edited photos

I used the Apple iPad mini A17 Pro as I would any other iPad, for every activity I do throughout the day, including Slack, email, conducting video meetings, drawing, editing, videos, and photos, playing games, and watching the Mets lose through the my favorite streaming platform.

I also spent several hours with the iPadOS 18.1 developer beta installed on the iPad mini seventh-generation, testing the currently available Apple Intelligence features, to get a sense of how they perform here.

Read more about how we test.

In our iPad mini (2021) review, we didn't notice any major issues with the display on the sixth-generation version of the tablet, but the slate did attract complaints about a 'jelly scrolling' problem – which Apple has now apparently fixed with the iPad mini 7.

If you're new to the saga, jelly scrolling is where one side of the screen refreshes slower than the other, causing a jarring effect when scrolling up and down – especially on pages of text. Apple has said it isn't an issue, but it has continued to be an annoyance for some.

Our review of the 7th-gen iPad mini (2024) is still on the way, and it goes on sale October 23. In the meantime, well-known Apple commentator Jason Snell has said on his Six Colors podcast (via MacRumors) that he believes the issue has now been sorted out.

Snell didn't go into specific details about the tweak, or say where he got his information, but his close connections to Apple make this a credible tip-off – even if the new iPad mini comes with an 8.3-inch LCD panel that appears to be almost identical to the screen on the previous model.

Smoother scrolling

Quite how big of a deal this is depends on how much the jelly scrolling on the iPad mini 6 spoiled your viewing experience. Apple has remained adamant that there's no issue, and it was only noticeable in portrait mode – but once you did see it, it was then difficult to unsee it while using the tablet.

It was certainly enough of a problem for us to mention it in our list of 5 potentially annoying iPad mini 7 limitations. Apart from a performance bump, there aren't too many upgrades on the new slate – though it will be able to run Apple Intelligence.

According to a rumor that surfaced last year, changes in the way the iPad mini is assembled are responsible for eradicating jelly scrolling. Whatever has happened behind the scenes, it's going to be a welcome improvement.

You can preorder the iPad mini 7 right now from Apple, or wait until Wednesday to go and pick it up in stores. Pricing starts at $499 / £499 / AU$799 – that gets you 128GB of storage, with 256GB and 512GB models also available.

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• The iPad mini 7 is now official
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• Apple Intelligence, explained

Apple has formally announced the new iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence compatibility. As an iPad mini fan since the original first launched in 2012, the tiny tablet has a soft spot in my heart, and this new model could have one in yours, too.

Up until today, the M2 Mac mini was the cheapest way to try Apple Intelligence, but it’s not portable and needs extra peripherals to use, which ramps up the price. Mac mini aside, the iPhone 16 was the next cheapest entry point into the world of Apple Intelligence, but that device starts at $799 / £799.

Now, that’s all changed with Apple’s iPad mini announcement; the new tablet brings everything Apple Intelligence offers, starting from $499/£499 for the 128GB model. This means the new iPad mini is the cheapest entry point for those looking to try Apple Intelligence, almost a system seller in itself.

Apple Intelligence for less

I’ve been using Apple Intelligence on the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas since Apple first announced the AI features in June, and I’ve been scratching my head at the price of entry since.

To use Apple Intelligence on an iPhone you need one of the best iPhones from the iPhone 16 lineup or the previous flagship iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max models, none of these smartphones are cheap, however, and even iPhone 15 owners are left in an AI-less past. On the iPad side, until today’s announcement, you needed an M-series iPad, with the lowest price offering being the M2 iPad Air for $549/£549, a much lower entry point to Apple Intelligence compared to the iPhone but still above that $500 mark.

With the arrival of a sub-$500 iPad mini capable of Apple Intelligence, there’s now an accessible entry point for anyone who wants to give Apple’s AI tools a go without forking out for a more expensive product. Yes, that’s only $50 less than the Air, but $50 matters, especially when you’re not sure you’ll even use the AI features you’re upgrading for.

Since Apple Intelligence’s reveal at WWDC, I’ve thought that the software’s success will be based on how many people actually use it, and one of the biggest reasons people won’t be using Apple Intelligence is because of the initial cost of upgrading to a compatible device. Apple’s strategy with the new iPad mini could work out massively in the company’s favor as people opt for the small tablet as a first exposure to Apple Intelligence before forking out on a new iPhone or iPad in the future.

My partner is a great example of this; she owns the iPhone 15 and was left disappointed when she found out that her not-even one-year-old device wouldn’t be compatible with the next evolution of Apple software. She’s not in the market for a new iPhone at the moment and Apple Intelligence hasn’t even been released yet, and she’s not sure she’ll even use it. Still, an iPad mini with Apple Intelligence functionality could work as a gateway to seeing what Apple AI is capable of. She won’t be the only one tempted to try the iPad mini to get cheaper access to Apple Intelligence, and if those consumers are impressed, they might be first in line for the iPhone 17, unable to live without an Apple Intelligence-compatible smartphone.

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Jus over three years on from the iPad mini (2021), Apple has finally revived the little tablet by announcing the new iPad mini 7 – and it packs an A17 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence.

That new chip isn't the only new feature for the 8.3-inch tablet. Apple has announced two new colors – blue and purple – alongside starlight and space gray – and has beefed up the storage options.

The mini 7 starts with 128GB storage, and there are now 256GB and 512GB options, too. Naturally, it also runs the latest iPadOS 18. You can pre-order the iPad mini 7 from today, with pricing starting at $499 / £499 / AU$799 (for the Wi-Fi model) and $649 / £649 / AU$1,049 for the Wi-Fi and Cellular model.

Another big bonus for the mini 7 is that it supports the Apple Pencil Pro, making it a tempting little digital notebook for creatives. Apple says that the A17 Pro chip – which debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max – doubles the speed of the tablet's Neural Engine compared to the mini 6 and delivers a faster CPU and GPU.

Like before, the iPad mini 7 has a 12MP rear camera, but this time, it's been upgraded to Smart HDR 4 processing. There's also now support for Wi-Fi 6E for speedier wireless connectivity.

But the biggest software boosts will come from that Apple Intelligence support, which will be landing fully "later this month" in the US. That includes new AI-powered writing tools in apps like Mail, Notes and third-party apps, plus imaging tricks like Apple's Clean Up tool.

If you've been patiently waiting for the iPad mini 7, you can finally order one now from the Apple Store. We'll soon give you our full verdict on where the dinky tablet ranks in our guide to the best iPads.

Worth waiting for?

Considering we were close to giving up on Apple launching a new iPad mini, seeing a refresh of the little tablet is great news – and the new model has everything we could have asked for.

The main benefit is that new A17 Pro chip, which future-proofs it not only for future iPadOS updates, but also Apple Intelligence. Even if you're not particularly blown away by the Apple Intelligence features so far, it was hard to recommend investing in an iPad mini 6 without the spec bump.

The added support for the Apple Pencil Pro is also a welcome bonus. The previous iPad mini (2021) supports the Apple Pencil, but the Pencil Pro brings some major benefits for digital artists, including a barrel sensor and haptics support. The only downside is that it doesn't come bundled with the tablet and costs a fairly punchy $129 / £129 / AU$219.

Also, while Apple promises an "all-day battery life" with the iPad mini 7, we don't yet have an estimate for how long it'll last. That was a notable weakness with the previous model, so we're looking forward to testing it out.

Those weaknesses aside, the iPad mini 7 does – on paper – have a strong shout for being the best 8-inch tablet you can buy, and it's good to see Apple sticking with the format despite the increasing size of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.

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The Apple iPad mini is hands down one of the best iPads Apple has ever made. It's especially great for children or adults who want something more compact and easier to handle. Thanks to Amazon Prime Day, Prime members can now get the iPad mini at Amazon for $349.99 (was $499).

The iPad mini has been discounted a number of times before but never by as much as $150. The small form factor makes it a perfect travel companion whether you're wanting to catch up on your favorite shows, browse the web, or get some work done.

Today’s best iPad mini deal

The Apple iPad mini is one of the best tablets and has been for a long time. The praise centres around it's compact form factor and powerful processor that keeps everything running smoothly. It's size means you can throw it in a rucksack, a handbag, or your kids can use it in the car.

If you read our iPad mini review you'll see that we particularly love the stylish design. Apple is synonymous with great design and that's truly on display here with the iPad mini. The 10-hour battery life is also enough to stand up to most daily demands, even if you can't get to a charging point every day.

The iPad mini also works great with the Apple Pencil - an ideal combo for artists and those seeking more productive creative workflows.

We have a load of other iPad deals for you to enjoy. If you're happy with Android as much as Apple, then you might prefer our tablet deals page instead.

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off Echo & TV Stick
• Apple: iPad, MacBook and AirPods from $119
• Appliances: up to 35% off Nespresso and Ninja
• Gaming: save $50 on PS5 consoles
• Headphones: Bose and Sony from $38
• Health: 45% off Oral-B and Philips
• Laptops: from $169
• Phones: power banks from $17.99
• Smart home: Ring and Blink from $17.99
• Tablets: Fire tablets from $49.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego and Hasbro
• TVs: cheap TVs from $73.99
• Vacuums: up to $450 off Dyson and Roborock
• Wearables: up to $100 off Oura and Samsung

Amazon Prime Day continues to power on with great deals on some of our favorite tech, but Amazon isn’t the only retailer offering hefty discounts – for example, you can now get the iPad mini for $399.99 (was $499.99) at Best Buy in one of the best deals I’ve seen all week.

• Shop more Best Buy flash sale deals

The iPad mini has always been a niche product, with a specs sheet that sits between the midrange iPad Air and base-model iPad, which means the mini’s price tag has stayed relatively high. This deal is so exciting because it brings the price of the iPad mini within touching distance of the cheapest ‘standard’ iPad, making it a much easier choice for small tablet lovers.

Not in the US? Scroll down for more iPad mini deals in your region.

Today's best iPad mini deal

The iPad mini doesn’t just rank on our list of the best iPads, but also on our list of the best tablets. As our iPad mini review finds, it’s an impressively premium device that packs a lot of performance into a highly portable design.

Though the iPad mini was last refreshed in 2021, the specs sheet is still leagues ahead of much of the small tablet competition: 64GB of storage is enough for a decent crop of apps, the A15 Bionic from the iPhone 14 keeps things running smoothly, and the 8.3-inch display is super sharp and vibrant.

More iPad deals

Best Buy’s 48-hour flash sale ends today – be sure to check in with our tablet deals and iPad deals coverage to avoid missing out on great prices, and for even more tech deals check out our Amazon Prime Day coverage.

Want the latest US deals straight to your phone? Follow the TechRadar WhatsApp deals channel! And see below for some quick Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers you can shop right now.

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: up to 50% off
• Appliances: deals on coffee makers and blenders
• Health: 45% off Oral-B and Philips
• Laptops: best-ever MacBook Pro deals
• Phones: power banks from $17.99
• Smart home: cameras and doorbells from $17.99
• Tablets: Fire tablets from $49.99
• Toys: up to 20% off Lego and Hasbro
• TVs: cheap TVs from $73.99
• Vacuums: up to $450 off Dyson and Roborock

Numerous leaks have suggested that the iPad mini 7 is fast approaching, with the most telling sign perhaps being the clearance of iPad mini 6 stock, and now we have a specific date for when Apple’s next mini slate might ship.

According to Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, the iPad mini 7 could ship on Friday, November 1, following an announcement around the end of October. So in other words this tablet could be announced in just a few weeks, and ship in less than four weeks.

While we’d always take release date leaks with a pinch of salt, Gurman has a solid track record for reporting Apple information, and this isn’t the first time we’ve heard mention of an October Apple event.

So we’d say there’s a high chance this date is accurate – and if so it’s welcome news, as the iPad mini (2021) is long overdue a successor.

No sign of the iPad 11

If you’re interested in new models of other Apple tablets though you’ll probably have to wait until the first half of 2025, when Gurman says Apple might launch new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models, along with the iPhone SE 4.

He makes no mention of new iPad Pro models, but with the iPad Pro (2024) having only landed this year that’s not too surprising. What is slightly more surprising is that there’s also no mention of the iPad 11, despite the current standard iPad model – the iPad 10.9 (2022) – being almost two years old.

So if you’re hoping for a new model in Apple’s base or high-end iPad lines, it looks like you might be waiting a while yet.

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The dust has barely settled on the iPhone 16 launch, but it looks like Apple is readying itself for yet another major product showcase in 2024.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a redesigned Mac mini, M4-powered MacBooks, and a new iPad mini (aka the iPad mini 7) could launch “by the end of 2024,” with October looking the most likely month for a third major Apple Event of the year.

This isn’t new news, per se – Gurman has long hinted at the potentially imminent arrival of a new iPad – but a new Best Buy leak has added more fuel to the fire. Per a now-deleted product listing (via MacRumors), Best Buy is reportedly preparing a clearance sale for an unnamed “mini Wi-Fi” Apple product in the Tablets section of its website. The product in question will supposedly be available for a clearance price of $359.99, and since the iPad mini 6 usually starts at $499.99, it’s highly likely that this is the device on the chopping block.

In other words, Best Buy is liquidating the last of its iPad mini stock, which could, in turn, be interpreted as the retailer clearing a path for the arrival of the iPad mini 7.

Incidentally, the iPad mini 6 is now on sale for $399 at Best Buy – which wasn’t the case when the above leak was first reported – so it’s not clear whether Best Buy is preparing to cut the price further, or whether this mysterious clearance sale has already begun. In either case, though, the iPad mini 6 is no longer at full price.

Apple is known for not replenishing model stock when a replacement device is on the horizon, so we’re quietly confident that an iPad mini 7 will indeed debut before the end of 2024.

As for what upgrades this new tablet could bring, Gurman has already admitted (via X) that he “wouldn’t be surprised to see [the iPad mini] updated for AI” (read: Apple Intelligence). We know that Apple Intelligence only works with the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chipset, the iPhone 16’s A18 chipset, the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chipset, and Apple's top-end M-series chipsets, so the iPad mini 7 will likely get one of these powerful brains, if not a new chipset entirely.

The current iPad mini 6 uses an outdated A15 Bionic chipset, so regardless of whether the iPad mini 7 has Apple Intelligence capabilities, the iPad mini line needs a power refresh.

Older rumors hinted at a larger 8.7-inch iPad mini with an OLED screen (the current model uses an 8.3-inch LCD display), but we’re not holding out hope for such a dramatic dimension change.

In any case, here’s what we want to see from the iPad mini 7 – and we’re keeping a close eye on our inbox for any imminent Apple Event invites.

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The launch of the iPhone 16 is less than 24 hours away, but according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, Apple's Glowtime event won't be its last major unveiling of the year – more announcements are expected in October.

We’ve already been teased by the potential arrival of a redesigned Mac mini, as well the possibility of seeing M4-powered MacBooks, but now Gurman expects an October reveal of a new iPad model as well.

The iPad mini 7 has been rumored for quite some time. While initially expected to debut alongside the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10 at today’s (September 9) event, Gurman’s prediction makes sense as we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's Glowtime event. 

No matter when the rumored iPad mini is announced, this is good news as the last model was the iPad Mini (2021), so a refresh is long overdue.

iPad Mini 7: what to expect

We have a wishlist of what we want to see from the iPad mini 7, but the key rumors suggest a new chipset and a more compact design than its predecessor. While we’re not expecting the rumored M4 chip to power an iPad mini like it does the iPad Pro models, Gurman speculates that it might include Apple Intelligence support, which means it could be powered by the A17 Pro chip at the very least.

Gurman's use of "iPad models" in his speculations also makes us question the whispers of a larger 8.7-inch iPad mini with an OLED screen (compared to an 8.3-inch LCD display in the standard model), which we had previously written off as early iPad mini 8 rumors. But do we really need multiple iPad mini models?

There’s a reason we’ve questioned whether the iPad mini can survive. With plus-sized iPhones, the iPad 10.9 (2022) and the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro already having carved a place for themselves, most use cases are covered. Still, a mid-sized and mid-priced tablet around eight inches might just be the sweet spot for users who want a decent tablet for gaming, streaming and reading – while still being able to hold in one hand.

October’s announcements, potentially featuring a whole new Mac lineup and new iPads, are certainly something to look forward to but, before that, there’s still a big event happening today at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST (or 3am AEST September 10 AEST) that will see the debut of the latest Apple flagship phones and wearables. As always, we’ll have boots on the ground covering the event, and you can follow along with our live blog to ensure you don't miss a thing.

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The next major Apple event is scheduled for September 9, and we expect to hear news of the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and new Apple Intelligence features at the Cupertino-set showcase.

Naturally, rumors and predictions regarding which other products may appear at the company's upcoming ‘It’s Glowtime’ event are circulating rapidly. 

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, several Apple products are currently in short supply, including the iPhone SE (2022), the iPad mini, and several FineWoven faux leather accessories. This could suggest that refreshes are on the way for any or all of these products. 

The iPhone SE is the oldest product of the bunch, having gotten its last spec bump in 2022 and its last design overhaul in 2020. The first iPhone SE launched in 2016 with a design reminiscent of the iPhone 5S, so a refresh in September would continue the trend of a four-year gap between major design updates.

However, the iPhone SE is usually revealed and launched in the spring, and rumors from established sources including leaker Jeff Pu and MacRumors point to a 2025 release date for the iPhone SE 4. But that's not the only reason why an imminent iPhone SE launch seems unlikely.

A simpler software experience

As for why Apple would even consider releasing a new-generation iPhone SE, the iPhone SE 4 may find its niche as Apple’s only non-AI phone.

Apple typically stratifies access to software features based on SoC power, and it seems that the A17 Pro chipset inside the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is the baseline for Apple Intelligence. 

It would be genuinely surprising to see Apple give its ‘budget’ (heavy on the quote marks) phone the chip from last year’s flagship, not to mention the 8GB of RAM that all phones capable of running Apple Intelligence either already have or are expected to launch with.

This would put the internals of the iPhone SE 4, which we speculate could cost around $429 / £500 / AU$820, nearly on par with the new iPhone 16, which we think will launch at $799 / £799 / AU$1,499. 

Add to this Apple’s tradition of offering last year’s base iPhone – in this case the A16 Bionic-equipped iPhone 15 – for $699 / £699 / AU$1,299, and an A17 Pro-equipped iPhone SE makes even less sense.

However, some rumors suggest that the same A16 Bionic chip will make its way into the iPhone SE 4, so it’s not quite clear how Apple intends to balance the value proposition of its phone lineup.

Previous iPhone SE models held on to past designs and hardware features like the home button and Touch ID, but with the next model touted to inherit a modified iPhone 14 chassis, Apple may switch its emphasis to a more familiar software experience.

As much as manufacturers like Apple, Google, and Samsung are focusing on AI at the moment, it remains a controversial subject and a new technology, so the more opinionated and less tech-savvy in Apple’s fanbase may prefer a device that runs a simpler version of iOS. That said, Apple will likely place a heavy focus on Apple Intelligence and the new iPhone 16 series at its September 9 event, and an AI-free iPhone SE doesn’t quite fit into that strategy

Of course, all of the above is based on rumors, and it remains up to Apple to find a place and time for the launch of any new iPhone SE model. 

An AI power play?

The strongest justification for an early (read: September) iPhone SE release would be a desire for consistency across the iPhone lineup.

We expect to hear a lot more about Apple Intelligence when Apple reveals the iPhone 16 lineup next week, as all four of this year’s expected models are predicted to get full AI integration. For comparison, the only previous iPhones confirmed to receive Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Launching an AI-equipped iPhone SE alongside the iPhone 16 series would bring software parity across the entire iPhone lineup.

Apple always discontinues its Pro iPhones as soon as the new generation is announced, so if this trend continues, the only way to get an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max will be through third-party retailers. 

As prices for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max fall over the coming years, and especially as these models enter the refurbished and second-hand markets, Apple may be able to tempt budget-conscious consumers towards an AI-enabled iPhone SE.

However, this is complete conjecture. The only substantial rumor we’ve seen to support a 2024 iPhone SE launch is Gurman’s report of low stock, which does not include a strong suggestion that the SE is launching early.

We continue to predict that the iPhone SE 4 will launch in 2025 due to a range of credible rumors suggesting as much. In any case, be sure to check out our dedicated iPhone SE 4 rumors hub for the latest updates. 

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There hasn’t been a new iPad mini in years, with the iPad mini (2021) being the most recent model. So an update is arguably overdue – and now there's evidence to suggest that the iPad mini 7 could be arriving soon.

Reputable leaker and journalist Mark Gurman claimed on X (via Apple Insider) that many Apple stores are running low on stock of the current iPad mini, and that the device is considered “constrained” internally within Apple.

Now, it’s unlikely that Apple would let that happen unless it plans to soon discontinue the iPad mini (2021), which in turn means either the end of the iPad mini line (at least for now) or the launch of a new model.

Gurman says this could be a sign that a new model is on the way, and that he “wouldn’t be surprised to see it updated for AI.”

But updating the iPad mini for Apple Intelligence (Apple’s take on AI) would also mean substantially improving the chipset, as Apple Intelligence only works with the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chipset and Apple's tablet and laptop line’s M-series chipsets, while the iPad mini (2021) has a much older A15 Bionic chipset.

So if Gurman is right, a potential iPad mini 7 should be substantially more powerful than the current model.

A new chipset and not much else

That’s in line with previous leaks, which suggested the iPad mini 7 might have a new chipset but otherwise be very similar to the current model, so if it does indeed launch don’t expect too many changes elsewhere.

In any case, if these stock shortages are a sign of the iPad mini 7’s imminent arrival, there’s a chance that we could see it at Apple’s September 9 event, at which the iPhone 16 line is being unveiled. Failing that, we might see it later in the year, either at a separate event or announced via a press release.

On the other hand, it’s always possible that Apple is discontinuing the iPad mini line, or has simply let stock fall short before building it up again.

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The iPad mini is my favourite Apple tablet, and thanks to the current back-to-school sales, you can buy the iPad mini at Amazon for $379.99 (was $499). That's the lowest price it’s ever dropped to and only the second time we've seen it discounted by this much.

The iPad mini often drops in price but it usually hovers around the $400 mark when it does. In the past, it dropped to its lowest-ever price of $379.99 in July, but before then, it hadn't gone so low since last summer. So, now is a good time to buy if you missed out last month. Simply put, a 24% saving is always an appealing one.

The Apple iPad mini is one of the best iPads for kids but it’s also ideal if you have small hands or just want something extra lightweight to take around with you. It’s bigger than your phone while being lighter to carry than a laptop.

Today’s best iPad mini deal

The best tablet for anyone looking for a compact device, the Apple iPad mini is the tablet I swear by. I’ve owned other iPads over the years but the iPad mini is the one I now stick with most of all. I've also bought one for my mother to use as a graphics tablet (although you’ll need to add an Apple Pencil for this).

The iPad mini is plenty powerful for most tasks and it’s near-effortless to hold in your hands. The screen also looks delightful so I always feel good about my purchasing decision. 

In our iPad mini review, we went into detail about how stylish the design is and the only real letdown here is its 10-hour battery life, but that’s fine for a busy day.

There are other iPad deals if you want something else from Apple, while the best tablet deals will be useful if you’re favoring something Android-based. 

If you do go for the iPad mini, I’d recommend adding on one of the Apple Pencil deals happening at the moment too. It’s a good combination for having fun and being productive. 

I love the iPad mini, despite Apple seemingly having forgotten about it, and right now you can get a 64GB iPad mini for $399 at Amazon; that's a cool $100 saving, and a worthy inclusion on our list of the best Amazon Prime Day iPad deals. This is all thanks to the early Amazon Prime Day deals that are already popping up, though Prime Day proper takes place July 16 and July 17. 

While the iPad mini hasn't had a refresh in a while, I still think it's the best small tablet you can buy right now. Its A15 Bionic chip has plenty of power for all but the most demanding games and tasks, and I reckon its 8.9-inch display and form-factor make it a great slate for playing Apple Arcade games. 

And, I'm not the only one at TechRadar who likes the iPad mini, as it sits on our best iPads list. With $100 off, I think it's a no-brainer of a purchase if you want a compact tablet with access to Apple's comprehensive app and services ecosystem. 

Today's best iPad mini deal

The normal logic when it comes to scoring the best Amazon Prime Day iPad deals is to wait for Prime Day itself. But in this case, I think you're good to jump on this iPad mini deal now as I don't see it dropping much more in the coming days. 

If an iPad doesn't float your boat, then check out our selection of the Amazon Prime Day tablet deals that are well worth a look right now.  

More Amazon Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks from $14.99
• Apple: AirPods and iPads from $69
• Audible: three months free
• Back to school: essentials and tech from $5
• Gaming: free PC games until July 16
• Headphones: cheapest-ever AirPods
• Kitchen: coffee makers from $24.99
• Kindle: three months Kindle Unlimited
• Laptops: deals from $179.99
• Music Unlimited: five months free
• Smart home: up to 61% off cameras
• Tablets: Fire tablets from $54.99
• TVs: cheap TVs from $64.99
• Vacuums: Shark from $149.99

Apple has just equipped its iPad Pro with an OLED display for the first time, and the results have been remarkable – in our iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) review we praise the screen as “easily the best you’ll get on a tablet device.” Now, it looks like Apple could be planning to bring OLED to the iPad Air and iPad mini – but we may have to wait a while.

The rumor comes from a machine-translated article on Korean news site Naver (via Wccftech), which states that Samsung Display “has recently begun developing panels for the iPad mini.” As well as that, the website claims that “Apple plans to apply OLED to the iPad mini and Air models,” meaning that almost the entire iPad range could be in line for a serious screen upgrade.

Yet the report also notes that mass production isn’t expected to begin until the second half of 2025 at the earliest, with the tablets then being released in 2026. That’s potentially a two-year wait for the Air and mini to catch up to the iPad Pro.

While that makes sense from a business perspective – Apple wants the iPad Pro to stand out as a clear top-end option – it will no doubt be frustrating for anyone who wants to get their hands on an OLED iPad in a cheaper package.

It takes two to tandem

According to Naver, the only iPad that will apparently miss out on OLED tech is the 10.9-inch iPad. After a recent price drop to  $349 / £349 / AU$599, this device is currently Apple’s most affordable tablet (costing less than the smaller iPad mini). Without an expensive OLED panel, Apple will be able to keep its cost down and offer a more accessible entry into the iPad lineup.

Still, adding OLED to nearly every iPad would be great news for Apple fans. The last time Apple introduced new high-end screen tech was in 2021 with the launch of the mini-LED iPad Pro, and this display never made it to any other iPads. Rolling out OLED displays to the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini would signal Apple’s dedication to the tech.

Apple doesn’t just employ any old OLED panels in the iPad Pro either – it uses a custom 'tandem OLED' setup that far outstrips the competition and notches several industry firsts. However, it’s unclear whether this tech will make it into the upcoming iPad mini and iPad Air.

That’s because tandem OLED panels are more expensive to produce than regular OLEDs, owing to the fact that they consist of two displays sandwiched together. This results in much improved brightness and a thinner overall display, but the cost is most likely why Apple has limited it to the iPad Pro for now. Display industry expert Ross Young was very surprised by the iPad Pro’s $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 starting price, commenting that the use of a tandem OLED screen could have raised the iPad Pro’s price by 50% or more.

This all means it’s unlikely that the iPad Air and iPad mini will come with tandem OLED screens, at least until Apple can bring the price down. But the fact that they’re getting OLED at all is great news for Apple fans, even if there’s a bit of a wait until the devices finally make an appearance.

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The new iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air 6 are both long-awaited upgrades to Apple's biggest tablets, but the launch event was worryingly quiet for the iPad mini. Does that mean Apple's smallest tablet is on the chopping block? Not necessarily, according to the latest rumors, though its future does remain uncertain.

We confirmed with Apple that the current iPad mini 6 is the same model as before Apple's iPad 2024 event, and has the same pricing. So despite the big changes we saw for its larger siblings, including an M4 chip for the iPad Pro, Apple hasn't given its 8.3-inch tablet any kind of bump.

That's a little disappointing for fans of the compact tablet, but all is not lost. Last month, Bloomberg's reliable Mark Gurman claimed that Apple "is also working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini", but that those won’t be coming "before the end of the year at the earliest". 

This echoed an earlier report from respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated that mass production of the iPad mini 7 had merely been "delayed" rather than canceled. These remain the last credible rumors we've heard about an iPad mini 7, so there is still a chance we'll see it arrive later this year, even with only a minor processor upgrade. 

That said, Gurman did predict that Apple's low-end iPad would be "a cost-reduced version of the 10th generation model from 2022", and that's what happened at yesterday's event (albeit earlier than he predicted). Apple killed its ninth-gen iPad, and cut $100 off the price of the 10th-gen version. 

So as it stands, the iPad mini lives on with rumors still predicting a refreshed iPad mini 7 is in the works. But as the only iPad-related product in Apple's Store that doesn't have a "new" label on it, its future does still look a little uncertain.

Is the iPad mini still relevant?

The iPad mini is now clearly caught in between Apple's larger tablets and the increasingly large iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro series, for example, is expected to grow in size this year to include 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens (on the Pro and Pro Max models). 

Apple's reluctance to give the iPad mini 6, which arrived back in 2021, even a minor specs upgrade also suggests that interest in the compact tablet has waned. But the tablet does also continue to have something of a cult following, with many finding it to be an ideal size for note-taking and watching movies while on the move.

The current iPad mini is also a great size for reading books and playing games, so a future-proofed specs bump with a new processor (most likely the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro and Max) would likely be enough to keep fans happy. An M1 chip would be even better, of course, but could push the price too high.

Right now, this remains the most likely scenario according to the latest speculation, even if Apple's iPad 2024 event may have understandably dented those hopes. Still, while Apple's new tablets look like dead certs for the top of our guide to the best tablets, the iPad mini does live on – with the iPad mini 6 still a solid option, particularly if you pick up a cheaper refurbed version, if you need a compact tablet.  

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Not many of us own a Mac Studio, iPad mini and a 3D printer – but even if you don't, it's hard not to admire the gloriously nerdy combination of all three in a new 'MacIntosh Studio' project.

The concept, dreamed up by designer and YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan, is effectively an iPad mini dock in the shape of the original MacIntosh, with room in the base for a Mac Studio and a rear drawer for your external SSDs.

It may not be functionally anything more than a dock and an elaborate desk tidy, but the 'MacIntosh Studio' is full of neat little touches. On the side, there's a pull-out handle to hold headphones (it's the right size for the AirPods Max, of course), while on the top there's a groove for an Apple pencil.

Yu-Jan says the two main reasons he wanted to make the MacIntosh Studio was to move his bulky Mac Studio from under his screen and also create a dock for an iPad mini. Slide the latter into the 3D-printed project, and you can use the iPad mini as a second screen using screen mirroring, while keeping it fully charged.

The project also highlights some intriguing design consistency in Apple's products, notably that the Mac Studio is exactly the same width as the iPad mini. In other words, those two products were seemingly destined to be brought together in an enthusiast 3D printing project.

How much are 3D printers again?

If you want to print your own MacIntosh Studio, or tweak the design, you'll naturally need one of the best 3D printers – and the project's creator actually used a Bambu Lab P1 model, a series that currently sits top of our guide.

As for the STL files, you'll need to subscribe to one of Scott Yu-Jan's membership tiers (from £4.99 a month, around $6 / AU$10 per month), although this will get you files for his other projects including 3D-printed drawer organizers and more.

The video also gives you a peek at the brainstorming process for the MacIntosh Studio's design, which takes place in the Shapr3D app for iPad. And Yu-Jan says he's working on a tweaked design to make it work of Mac mini.

It's inspiring stuff and one of the better iPad mini docks we've seen – theoretically, it should also work with iPad mini 7, which is expected to land sometime in 2024 with a similar design to the current model. The project has also got us a little misty-eyed about the original Macintosh, which turned 40 this year.

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The answer to my titular question is a tentative ‘I doubt it’. And that’s a pity, as I’ve long been a fan of the iPad mini. 

Apple last updated its smallest fondle slate back in September 2021, which saw a specs boost and the removal of the sort-of iconic iPad Home button in favor of narrower bezels and Touch ID integrated into the power button, much like the iPad Air. I’m currently using the sixth-generation iPad mini, which replaced my decent if a tad long-in-the-tooth iPad mini 5, and I’ve got no real complaints about the latest mini other than a 90Hz or 120Hz display would be nice. 

However, infrequent iPad mini updates and a lack of any solid rumors surrounding the iPad mini 7 have me and others on the TechRadar team thinking that the iPad mini’s days are numbered. I doubt Apple will explicitly kill the compact tablet, more that it'll slowly leave it to fade into obscurity like that one difficult family member no one really hears much about and is awkward at gatherings. 

I don’t want to see the iPad mini get ignored. It’s a wonderful little device, serving as a great digital notepad while I'm at events, a decent ereader and a rather neat gaming device, especially with an ever-expanding clutch of Apple Arcade games. But then I’m just one person, and arguably an odd one at that - I’m usually one of the few tech journalists tapping notes into an iPad while others prefer to go old-school and put pen to actual paper or type away on a laptop. So I doubt Apple will cater for just little ol’ me. 

Furthermore, the iPad consistently sells less units than its larger brethren – according to data from the likes of Consumer Intelligence and Research Partners. That’s hardly surprising when smartphones have gotten bigger, with the likes of the iPhone 15 Pro Max offering a 6.7-inch display that’s not too far off in terms of diagonal space compared to the current iPad mini’s 8.3-inch screen. Some of the best foldable phones also work well as forms of Android-based iPad minis, albeit without the robust ecosystem. 

Mini tablet, shrinking appeal

So there’s an argument that the iPad mini no longer has a place in the market it once did when smartphones were smaller and tablets were chunkier.

I got a taste of this when I was using an iPad Air, which, while not as paperback-size friendly as the mini made for an excellent digital magazine reader, as well as gaming device – thanks to its refined design, I got all the benefits of a bigger screen without much extra weight, meaning when I had the Air I didn’t really give the mini much attention.

I’m also not sure where the iPad mini can go next. It’s too small to justify the extra peripherals that the standard iPad has been equipped with. Giving it an improved display and much more power could see it not only step towards Air territory, but also increase to a price – Apple being Apple – that could be hard to justify for a compact tablet. An entry-level iPad mini already costs $499 / £479 / AU$749, which is more expensive than the 10.9-inch iPad 2022 that starts at $449 / £499 / AU$749.

If Apple doubled down on Apple Arcade and made the iPad mini into more of a handheld console, say with a dock that added physical controls and a connector so it could output to a TV, then I could see a gaming-centric future for the iPad mini. But the likelihood of Apple doing that when devices like the Apple TV 4K exist is slim.

The 2024 version of Apple isn't the company to come out with surprises like it once was, but there’s always a chance it could have something up its sleeve, and writing off the mini wholesale might be unwise. But I’m of the opinion that the iPad mini, as much as I like it, is on its way out.

However, that’s no reason not to get one as I still think it’s a fantastic tablet, especially if you get it at a good price. So if you fancy giving it a spin before it potentially disappears, go check out our collection of the best iPad deals to see if you can snag a mini bargain.

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Apple took a year off from launching iPads in 2023 – for the first year in the iPad's history – and that probably means a stacked tablet schedule in 2024. Now a new chipset leak has given us a better idea of what's coming our way in the next few months.

This leak comes courtesy of a private social media post seen by MacRumors, and includes a list of 16 Apple devices together with the chips they're running. Most importantly for our purposes, eight of those devices haven't been released yet.

Two are listed as having the A14 Bionic chip inside, first seen in the iPad Air 4 and the iPhone 12 from 2020: it's also in the current 10th-gen iPad launched in 2022, so if the next entry-level iPad uses it as well, it'll be a running a chip that's four years old.

Alternatively, they might refer to reconfigured versions of the current iPad that will appear when the next version arrives this year. Another possibility is these devices are actually variants of the HomePod-with-a-display that's been rumored for a while.

Chips with everything

Moving on, we've got two devices with an A17 Pro chip, which made its debut in the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year. This piece of silicon could well be powering the iPad mini 7 when it arrives, which would be a hefty upgrade.

Lastly, there are four devices with the M2 chip inside, and MacRumors reckons these are the four iPad Air 6 models – the two rumored 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, with either Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity on board.

The M2 chip was launched in 2022 and first found its way into the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, before featuring in the latest iPad Pro models. You can also find it powering the Apple Vision Pro that went on sale earlier this year.

All of these various iPads were expected to show up this year, and the new leak doesn't tell us anything new in that regard – but we've now got a better idea of the specs that they'll come with, and more evidence that they are indeed launching soon.

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