Apple has launched the iPad Mini 8, an update that reviewers deem the most significant and successful version of the mini line to date. The changes span the design, display technology, and performance, addressing several long-standing pain points that have limited the device’s appeal.
The most immediate change is the hardware overhaul. The Wi-Fi model weighs 255g, nearly 40g lighter than the Mini 7. It is also slightly slimmer and narrower than its predecessor, necessitating caution for owners using older accessories like the Smart Folio.
For the first time, the iPad features an IP67 rating, giving the device a level of durability that allows users to take it to a pool or bath without anxiety. Apple achieved this by moving the side speaker holes underneath the display, resulting in a system named Acoustic Display. While the reviewer notes it won’t match an iPad Pro’s four-speaker setup, the volume and channel separation are deemed worth the trade-off.
The screen saw a major jump, growing from 8.3 to 8.5 inches. Critically, the panel has switched from LCD to OLED, branded Super Retina XDR. This upgrade provides deeper, richer colors, pushing HDR content up to 1200 nits, a substantial increase from the previous 500 nits of SDR brightness. Black bars in film are now properly black rather than muted grey.
Despite the graphical improvements, one major limitation persists: the refresh rate remains fixed at 60Hz. For £699, this lack of ProMotion is a point of criticism, particularly for users transitioning from high-refresh-rate iPads or iPhones.
Performance is where the Mini 8 delivers genuinely enthusiastic improvements. The A20 Pro chip powers multiple configurations, with 12GB of memory standard across all models. In independent AI benchmarks, the A20 Pro was reported as phenomenal, beating the RedMagic Astra 2’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and holding frame rates effectively over time.
Battery efficiency improved due to the new OLED panel and more efficient chip. The reviewer recorded over 11 hours of looped video, surpassing Apple’s 10-hour claim. Charging is also faster; the device can go from 0 to 50% using a 45W charger in 31 minutes.
The connectivity package is modernized with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and eSIM support for 5G models. The front 12MP camera has been repositioned to the landscape edge, which the reviewer suggests is better suited for calls and aligning with recent iPad designs. The rear camera maintains its 12MP resolution and Smart HDR 4.
However, the £699 price tag remains a hurdle, placing the device near the cost of a MacBook Neo. Smaller Android competitors, such as the RedMagic Astra 2 at £599, offer competing features like faster screens and enhanced gaming ports. Ultimately, the combination of the OLED panel, thin design, IP rating, and flagship performance makes the Mini 8 the best small iPad the line has ever seen, despite the continued 60Hz limitation.
