New OLED iPad mini with A20 Pro chip surfaces on Geekbench

Apple officially unveiled the new iPad mini (2026) featuring an advanced OLED display and the powerful A20 Pro chipset. The first units are scheduled to reach buyers on November 6, but performance metrics have already emerged through benchmark runs.

• The Wi-Fi + Cellular model (iPad19,2) scored 3,879 points in single-core and 9,870 points in multi-core tests on Geekbench 7.
• The 128GB and 256GB variants utilize a 5-core CPU configuration with two performance and three efficiency cores clocked at 4.93GHz.
• The device packs 12GB of RAM, a specification Apple traditionally omits from its standard marketing literature.
• Pricing for the new iPad mini starts at $699, €749, or £699, with pre-orders currently live.

A20 Pro Performance and Core Configuration

The Geekbench listing corresponds to the iPad19,2, which is the cellular-enabled model. The A20 Pro chipset found in the 128GB and 256GB storage tiers features a binned layout with one efficiency core disabled, leaving five active cores in total — two performance cores running at 4.93GHz and three efficiency cores. Only the top-tier 512GB version houses the full six-core processor. Apple has previously employed similar core-reduction strategies for earlier compact tablet generations.

Comparison with iPhone 18 Pro Max and Predecessors

For context, a Geekbench 7 run of the iPhone 18 Pro Max featuring the unthrottled six-core A20 Pro shows 4,024 single-core and 11,424 multi-core points. Consequently, the iPad mini trails by roughly 4% in single-core and 14% in multi-core metrics due to its missing core. Nevertheless, it represents a massive generational leap over its predecessor, delivering a 47% boost in single-core performance and a 39% improvement in multi-core tasks.

Benchmarking Against Larger Apple Tablets

Comparing the device against Apple's larger slate lineup yields intriguing insights. The M5-powered iPad Pro 13 achieves 3,580 single-core and 15,126 multi-core points, meaning the iPad mini outpaces it by about 8% in single-threaded workloads, while the Pro model leads by 53% in multi-core operations. Against the M4 iPad Air 13 at 3,206 and 12,686 points, the mini is 21% faster in single-core, though the Air retains a 29% advantage in multi-threaded workflows.

What This Means for Users and the Market

The arrival of an OLED iPad mini equipped with the A20 Pro processor redefines expectations for compact tablet performance. The combination of 12GB of RAM and high single-core prowess makes the form factor exceptionally capable for heavy apps and gaming. While multi-threaded heavy workloads still favor the larger Pro and Air lines, the new mini delivers exceptional power for its size.