Apple’s new iPad mini comes in 10 configurations before you pick a color, and the storage you choose decides more than how many apps fit. Apple announced the 8.5-inch OLED tablet with an A20 Pro chip, but that chip comes in two versions, and only the 512GB model gets the bigger one.
Our pick for most people is the 128GB Wi-Fi model. Apple’s Philippine store lists it at Php 49,990 (about $780), and its US listing has it at $699 (about Php 44,700). Every upgrade after that fixes one specific problem, so below is who has which problem, and what each fix costs.
Storage decides the CPU and Neural Engine
Apple’s tech specs page splits the A20 Pro by storage. The 128GB and 256GB models get a 5-core CPU, with two super cores and three efficiency cores, plus a 16-core Neural Engine. The 512GB model gets a 6-core CPU, with the same two super cores and four efficiency cores, plus a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.
So the extra CPU core is an efficiency core. The Neural Engine doubles to 32 cores, which Apple says gives it twice the processing power of the last mini’s and speeds up tasks in apps like Draw Things and Detail.
Every model gets the same 7-core GPU, with Neural Accelerators in each core and hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Apple credits that GPU for up to 2.7x faster graphics than the last mini, and up to 4.5x faster AI with large language models.
Apple’s claim of up to 60% faster multithreaded CPU performance is for the 6-core version, a footnote on its iPad mini page says, and Apple gives no figure for the 5-core one. Its specs don’t list RAM for any model, either.
We’d buy 512GB only if you need the space, or you run image generators and AI models on the tablet itself. One more efficiency core is a thin reason to pay Php 14,000 (about $220; $200 in the US) over the 256GB model.
Between 128GB and 256GB, the chip is identical. That Php 7,000 (about $110; $100 in the US) step buys space, and the option of nano-texture glass.
Nano-texture glass needs 256GB or more
Apple offers nano-texture glass only on the 256GB and 512GB models, for Php 7,000 (about $110; $100 in the US) more. The cheapest nano-texture iPad mini is the 256GB Wi-Fi model at Php 63,990 (about $1,000).
The glass scatters ambient light instead of bouncing it back, which Apple says cuts glare without losing contrast or color accuracy. Those models come with a polishing cloth in the box.
Get it if you read outdoors, by a window or under harsh office lights. If the mini mostly lives on your nightstand, where it can dim to 1 nit, keep the Php 7,000.
Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular
Cellular adds Php 10,000 (about $160; $150 in the US) at every storage size. It brings Apple’s C2 modem, with 5G (sub-6GHz) and Gigabit LTE, on eSIM only: it doesn’t take physical SIM cards.
Cellular models are also the only ones with GPS. The Wi-Fi models rely on Wi-Fi for location, which is little help on a mountain road.
We’d pay for cellular if you navigate with the mini, in a car or on a trail, or work far from Wi-Fi. For everything else, your phone’s hotspot covers it.
Which Apple Pencil to get
The new iPad mini works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, and Apple’s Pencil page spells out the gap. The USB-C model has tilt sensitivity, hover and low latency, but no pressure sensitivity. It pairs and charges by cable, and attaches magnetically to the side only for storage.
Apple Pencil Pro adds pressure sensitivity, squeeze for a tool palette, barrel roll for turning brush shapes, haptic feedback, double-tap and Find My. It pairs and charges magnetically on the side of the iPad.
Apple’s Philippine store lists the USB-C model at Php 4,990 (about $80; $79 in the US), and the Pro listing says Php 8,690 (about $140; $129 in the US). For notes and markup, the USB-C Pencil is enough. If you draw or paint, pay for the Pro: without pressure sensitivity, pressing harder doesn’t change the line.
Every configuration and price
Both finishes, midnight and starlight, cost the same. The table below has every configuration’s price in Apple’s Philippine and US stores.
| Configuration | Wi-Fi (Philippines) | Wi-Fi + Cellular (Philippines) | Wi-Fi (US) | Wi-Fi + Cellular (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128GB, 5-core CPU | Php 49,990 | Php 59,990 | $699 | $849 |
| 256GB, 5-core CPU | Php 56,990 | Php 66,990 | $799 | $949 |
| 256GB nano-texture, 5-core CPU | Php 63,990 | Php 73,990 | $899 | $1,049 |
| 512GB, 6-core CPU | Php 70,990 | Php 80,990 | $999 | $1,149 |
| 512GB nano-texture, 6-core CPU | Php 77,990 | Php 87,990 | $1,099 | $1,249 |
Pre-orders open October 28th in 36 countries and regions, including the US, where Apple’s store opens them at 10:10 am PT (1:10 am Manila, October 29th). Deliveries and store sales start November 6th.
The 20W adapter in the box won’t get you Apple’s fast-charge figure of 50% in about 30 minutes. That needs a USB-C adapter of 35W or more, sold separately.
Our picks
- Most people: 128GB Wi-Fi, Php 49,990 (about $780; $699 in the US).
- Big offline library or bright rooms: 256GB, with nano-texture if glare bugs you, from Php 56,990 (about $890; $799 in the US).
- Image generators and on-device AI: 512GB, from Php 70,990 (about $1,110; $999 in the US).
- Navigation and fieldwork: add cellular to any of them.
- Apple Pencil: USB-C for notes, Pro for art.
Max everything out and the iPad mini costs Php 87,990 (about $1,380), Php 2,000 (about $30) less than the cheapest iPad Pro. In the US, it costs more than one.
So, which one’s going in your cart: the sensible 128GB, or the 512GB you’ll talk yourself into? And don’t forget the Apple Polishing Cloth.
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