Apple's new OLED iPad mini carries a slightly smaller battery than the model it replaces, according to figures Apple has published, though the company lists the same battery life estimates for both tablets.
MacRumors reports that Apple's EU energy label for the iPad mini gives the battery capacity as 4,900 mAh. Apple's own tech specs page lists the pack at 18.9 watt-hours. For comparison, the previous-generation iPad mini is rated at 5,034 mAh, or 19.3 Wh. By MacRumors' arithmetic, that makes the new battery roughly 2.7 percent smaller in milliamp-hours and about 2.1 percent smaller in watt-hours.
Same battery life on paper
Despite the reduction, Apple's website reportedly shows identical battery life estimates for the two models. MacRumors does not quote the hour figures, so it is worth checking Apple's specifications directly. The publication suggests two reasons the claim can hold: the efficiency gains of the A20 Pro chip inside the new tablet, and the OLED display, which can save power on dark content because black pixels switch off completely. Both explanations are MacRumors' interpretation, not statements from Apple.
What else the new iPad mini offers
The battery detail arrives alongside a broader redesign. The tablet has an 8.5-inch OLED display and what Apple calls an Acoustic Display audio system, which does without speaker holes. It supports Wi-Fi 7, and MacRumors says it is about 15 percent thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Apple describes the release as the biggest update ever for the iPad mini line.
The iPad mini is available to pre-order now and goes on sale Friday, November 6. U.S. pricing starts at $699.
Why the number matters
Battery capacity is one of the few hardware specifications that Apple rarely advertises directly. It typically surfaces through regulatory filings and energy labels, which is how this figure came to light. A modest drop in capacity is not unusual when a manufacturer slims down a device, and real-world endurance will depend on usage, display brightness and the content on screen. Independent reviews, which should follow once the tablet ships, will show whether the identical estimates on Apple's site translate into similar results in everyday use.
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