Apple's new iPad mini starts at $699, but the full A20 Pro chip only comes on the $1,000 model, and the screen and unlock method fall short of some rivals.
Apple's new iPad mini 8 starts at $699. The full version of its new chip is only in the 512GB model, which costs $1,000. The cheaper models get a slightly trimmed version. A Tom's Guide editor argues this shows Apple's low-cost tier is fading.
The mini now has an OLED screen, a display type known for deep blacks and rich color. It is also rated IP67, which means it resists water and dust. Even the critical Tom's Guide column calls it a stunning piece of hardware.
Apple says the tablet runs on the 2nm A20 Pro chip, the same one in the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Duo. But the entry-level and mid-tier models use a binned version. That means a chip with part of it switched off. The base model has a 5-core CPU, where the full chip has 6.
The column also points to two gaps at this price. The screen refreshes at 60Hz, which is the older, less smooth standard. And there is no Face ID, even though the front camera moved to the landscape edge of the tablet.
The writer, Jason England, notes a global memory shortage tied to AI data centers. He says Apple's Ternus called it unprecedented on the latest earnings call. The A20 Pro also needs extra memory to run Apple Intelligence.
Still, he argues Apple chose to add a premium screen and raise prices rather than absorb costs. He quotes David Naranjo of Counterpoint Research, who said OLED is becoming a way to justify higher prices as component costs rise. England also suspects the mini lacks 120Hz and Face ID to avoid undercutting the iPad Pro, which starts above $1,300. That is his theory, not something Apple has said.
England says most people will not notice the chip difference in daily use, and that most buyers will have a great time. The issue is price. Anyone who wanted a small, affordable iPad now faces a higher starting point. Anyone who wants the full chip has to buy the largest storage tier.
Before buying, check which chip and how much storage come with each price. If the 5-core chip is enough for what you do, the $699 model may be fine. If you want the full A20 Pro, budget $1,000. The material does not say when the tablet ships or what the other storage tiers cost.
The cheapest iPad mini 8 no longer has the full chip, so check the chip and storage on each model before you pay.
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