Apple's new iPad Mini A20 Pro, described as 'a huge leap forward' for the company's tablet range, is now on sale with prices starting at £699, while Sky Mobile offers a monthly plan that lowers the upfront cost.
The compact tablet, unveiled last month, features a 5.4mm-thick design, an 8.5-inch OLED display and the new A20 Pro chip, which Apple says delivers 'a giant leap in performance' with significantly boosted graphics and AI-intensive tasks.
Pricing and Availability
The A20 Pro went on sale on Friday, November 6, with the WiFi model priced at £699 and the WiFi and Cellular version at £849. Sky Mobile customers can spread the cost over 48 months, bringing the WiFi and Cellular model to £19 per month, equivalent to roughly 63p per day. The plan includes a 100MB data allowance, with larger bundles available at extra cost, and a £12 upfront payment. Sky notes that monthly prices 'may change' during the contract term.
Dave Pakula, Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering, said: "iPad Mini is beloved for its fantastic portability, performance, and display by a wide range of users. With a remarkably thinner and lighter design, a stunning new OLED display, the incredibly powerful A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, the new iPad Mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand."
Key Features and Performance
The iPad Mini includes a Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology for vivid images, and its A20 Pro processor delivers 4.5 times faster AI performance than the previous generation, according to Apple. It has a 12MP Wide back camera capable of 4K video at up to 60 fps, plus a 12MP Centre Stage front camera. The device runs iPadOS 27, bringing Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features that can clean up photos, notify of product restocks and answer questions.
The tablet is available from Apple, Amazon and Argos in Midnight and Starlight colourways. For those seeking a cheaper option, the 2025 iPad A16 is reduced to £399 at Amazon, down from £429. Samsung's Black Friday sale offers up to £730 off the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra with a trade-in, or £100 off when paying with PayPal, reducing the price to £1,299 from £1,399.
Review Verdict
David Snelling, Technology Editor at the Daily Express, praised the device in his review, saying: "The iPad Mini is back with a bumper bang and it's honestly hard not to fall in love with it. It's an absolute joy to use – the Wi-Fi model weighs just 255g, making it the lightest iPad ever produced. The screen has also had a major boost, with the Mini now sporting an 8.5" Super Retina XDR display featuring OLED technology. It's a spectacular panel; colours pop, blacks look beautifully deep and rich, and everything from films to photos looks seriously impressive."
He also noted its durability: "It's also now built to survive the British weather and accidental splashes – not even Apple's premium iPad Pro offers water resistance." However, he flagged a shortcoming: "Sadly, Apple has stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate, [which] means scrolling through websites and flicking between apps doesn't feel quite as smooth as it should. It's a strange omission on an otherwise premium device."
Despite this, he concluded the device has 'plenty of power': "The screen might be a little slow but there's plenty of power under the aluminium shell. The A20 Pro processor turns this miniature tablet into a pocket-sized powerhouse. I honestly doubt there's much you could throw at it that it couldn't handle. Video editing, photo retouching and demanding games all run without breaking a sweat."
