Size doesn’t always mean power, and the Apple iPad mini has always made a strong argument for palm-sized productivity. Even so, it continues to occupy an awkward spot in the lineup, blurring the line between larger iPhones and standard iPad models, with its more accessible pricing proving to be a big draw.
The latest 8th-gen model brings more than just a spec bump, and with that, a price hike. Alongside an upgrade to the A20 Pro chip, which powers the iPhone 18 and Duo foldable, it features a lighter, thinner design, an 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an improvement over the previous 8.3-inch LCD panel, and the new Acoustic Display that enhances audio immersion, courtesy of specially tailored woofers integrated into the display.
According to Apple, the 5-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine deliver up to 60 percent faster performance and 2.7 times faster GPU speeds than its predecessor – a leap that didn’t take much convincing when put to the test. Solid in every sense of the word, from performance to thermal management, the tablet ran Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, and Delta Force without a hitch, and doesn’t feel clunky in hand. Coupled with brighter, sharper visuals on the new display, users can expect gaming excellence in a compact form factor.
Check out how well it plays in our gaming test video above, which includes starting temperatures, performance indicators, and thermal management findings. The iPad mini (2026) starts at S$999 for 128GB of storage and is available in two finishes: Midnight and Starlight.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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Kevin Low
