iPad Mini A20 Pro Review: Best Small Tablet With a Big Price 2026

The iPad mini A20 Pro is Apple's latest tiny tablet, and it's a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a new OLED screen, serious performance, and even water resistance, it's the best small tablet you can buy. But that comes at a big price.

Starting at £699 (€749/$699/A$1,099), the eighth-generation iPad mini costs £200 more than the original price of its predecessor. That makes it uncomfortably expensive, especially when compared to the base iPad (A16) at £429 and the 11in iPad Air M4 at £749. So, is it worth it? Let's dive in.

Design and Build: Thinner, Lighter, and Water-Resistant

The new iPad mini is about 1mm thinner, 38g lighter, and slightly smaller than its predecessor, yet it manages to fit a 0.2in larger screen. That's impressive engineering. It's also the first iPad to have IP67 water resistance, meaning trips to the beach or pool are less fraught with danger.

Even the video call camera has been moved to a more sensible position in the landscape edge of the tablet, which is great for video calls. However, it lacks Face ID, relying instead on the Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button. That's a bit of a shame for a premium device, but it works well enough.

Display: OLED Screen Is the Star of the Show

The new 8.5in OLED screen is the star of the show: bright, vibrant, and with inky blacks to make the absolute most of your content. Whether you're watching movies or editing photos, the display looks fantastic. But it lacks the “ProMotion” display technology Apple uses on many of its other devices to keep scrolling and interactions super smooth. That's a noticeable omission at this price point.

Compared to the previous iPad mini's LCD screen, the OLED is a huge leap forward. Colors pop, and contrast is excellent. It's easily one of the best displays on a tablet this size.

Performance: A20 Pro Chip Delivers Serious Power

Under the hood, the iPad mini A20 Pro is powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip, which delivers serious performance. In our tests, it handled everything we threw at it, from demanding games to video editing, without breaking a sweat. It's easily the fastest small tablet on the market.

That performance comes in handy for multitasking and future-proofing. If you're looking for a compact tablet for work or play, this is it. The only downside is that the price puts it in direct competition with the larger iPad Air, which also has an M-series chip.

Speakers and Other Features

Apple has embedded speakers into the display, which is a clever trick that saves space and improves sound quality. The speakers are surprisingly good for a tablet this small, with clear audio and decent bass. It's a nice upgrade for watching videos or listening to music.

Other features include USB-C, support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, and Wi-Fi 6E. There's no headphone jack, which is expected, but the lack of Face ID is a bigger omission. Overall, the feature set is solid, but not revolutionary.

Price and Value: The Big Question

The biggest issue with the iPad mini A20 Pro is its price. At £699, it's £270 more than the base iPad and only £50 cheaper than the 11in iPad Air M4. That's a tough sell, especially when the iPad Air offers a larger screen and similar performance.

For that price, you could buy a laptop or a more capable tablet. The mini's appeal is its size, but you're paying a premium for that portability. If you absolutely need a small tablet, it's worth it, but for most people, the iPad Air or base iPad makes more sense. The background to this story is set out in Ai Video: latest articles.

Key Takeaways

• OLED screen is bright and vibrant, but lacks ProMotion.
• A20 Pro chip delivers excellent performance.
• IP67 water resistance is a first for iPad.
• Price is £200 higher than predecessor, making it expensive.
• No Face ID, only Touch ID.
• Speakers embedded in display improve sound quality.

Comparison Table

FAQ

Is the iPad mini A20 Pro worth the price?

It depends on your needs. If you want the best small tablet with a great screen and performance, it's worth it. But for most people, the iPad Air or base iPad offers better value.

Does the iPad mini A20 Pro have Face ID?

No, it uses Touch ID in the power button instead. This is a cost-saving measure and a step back from Face ID on other iPads.

Is the iPad mini A20 Pro water-resistant?

Yes, it has IP67 water resistance, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This is a first for an iPad.

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What is the screen size of the iPad mini A20 Pro?

It has an 8.5-inch OLED screen, which is 0.2 inches larger than its predecessor.

The iPad mini A20 Pro is a fantastic small tablet, but its high price makes it hard to recommend over the iPad Air. If you value portability above all else and want the best display and performance in a tiny package, it's a great choice. Otherwise, consider the alternatives.