Apple iPad mini 8.5" A20 Pro 2026, 8GB, 256GB, Cellular, Midnight

The iPad mini A20 Pro is a pocket-sized OLED beast that nails reading, drawing, and media. Skip it if you need real productivity, but for everything else, it's the small tablet to get.

The A20 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM handles everything we threw at it without breaking a sweat. The 120Hz OLED panel makes scrolling feel buttery, and the 12MP front camera with Center Stage is genuinely useful for video calls. Battery life is a standout too, landing in the top 10% of tablets we've tested. The 256GB storage config is solid, though the nano-texture glass option is the one to get if you're using this outdoors.

Against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, the iPad mini wins on portability and display quality, but Samsung gives you more productivity features out of the box. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a better choice if you need a laptop replacement, but it's twice the size and weight. The Xiaomi Pad 7 and Lenovo Idea Tab Plus undercut the iPad mini on price, but neither matches the OLED quality or the Apple Pencil experience.

Pricing is all over the place right now. US listings range from $799 to $1,050 depending on the vendor, so shop around before you buy. The CAD listing at $1,449 is the only Canadian option we found, and it's not a great deal compared to the US spread. For the best value, skip the cellular model unless you really need 5G on the go.

The iPad mini A20 Pro is Apple doing what Apple does best: cramming flagship hardware into a body that feels impossibly small. The 8.5-inch OLED display is the star here, and it's one of the best screens you'll find on any tablet this size. If you want a pocketable powerhouse for reading, sketching, and media, this is the one to beat.

If you're looking for a laptop replacement or a serious productivity device, this isn't it. The 67.7 productivity score is the weakest area by far. Go get a Surface Pro 11 or a MacBook Air instead. If you just want a cheap tablet for Netflix and web browsing, the Xiaomi Pad 7 or Lenovo Idea Tab Plus will save you hundreds.

The iPad mini A20 Pro is the best small tablet you can buy right now, full stop. It's not a productivity machine, and it's not trying to be. If you want a premium device for reading, drawing, and media consumption that fits in a jacket pocket, this is it.