Apple upgrades iPad mini with completely new design and larger, 8.3

It's been a long wait, but Apple finally delivered.

On Tuesday, at the beginning of its "California Streaming" event, Apple announced the new iPad mini, marking the first time the device has truly been redesigned since the first one launched in 2012.

The iPad mini has Touch ID on the upper right. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

The new iPad mini looks a lot like Apple's Pro lineup of iPads, with a flatter design, and a larger, 8.3-inch display (the Touch ID has been moved to the top button on the upper right corner). It also has the faster, A15 Bionic CPU, USB-C port instead of Lightning, 5G connectivity, and support for Apple's 2nd-generation Pencil.

The cameras have gotten an upgrade as well; on the rear, there's now a 12-megapixel, camera with f/1.8 aperture, that should do a better job taking photos in low light scenarios thanks to True Tone flash, while the selfie camera is now a 12-megapixel ultra-wide shooter with support for Center Stage, which keeps you in the frame as you move around (just like Facebook's Portal).

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The new iPad mini supports a fresh set of slim Folio covers. Credit: apple

The iPad mini will be available in four finishes – space gray, pink, purple, and starlight. It starts at $499, is available with Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi/cellular, and can be ordered Tuesday, with availability next week.

Apple also updated its entry level iPad, which now has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera (up from 8 megapixels) with support for Center Stage and True Tone, as well as support for Apple's first-gen Pencil. The CPU has also been upgraded, to Apple's A13 Bionic, which should deliver a 20 percent performance boost compared to the last generation of iPad.

Apple's cheapest iPad has also gotten an upgrade. Credit: apple

The iPad's display still measures 10.2 inches, but it now has True Tone support. And the starting storage has been increased to 64GB — up from 32GB on the previous generation.

Both the iPad mini and the iPad now come with Apple's latest iPadOS 15.

The new iPad starts at $329 ($299 for schools), and will also be available next week.