Apple has unveiled a redesigned iPad mini, introducing an OLED display, a faster processor, and improved durability. The update brings significant changes to Apple’s smallest tablet while retaining its compact form factor.

The new iPad mini features an 8.5-inch OLED display, up from the previous model’s 8.3-inch LCD screen. The upgrade promises deeper blacks, improved contrast, and a better viewing experience for videos, games, and other content.

Apple has also equipped the tablet with its A20 Pro chip, delivering improved performance and enhanced capabilities for artificial intelligence tasks.

Bigger OLED display, improved performance

The new iPad mini features a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits for HDR content. It can also reduce its brightness to just 1 nit, making it more comfortable to use in darker environments.

Apple has reduced the tablet’s thickness to 5.4mm while retaining its compact design. The redesigned model also features slimmer bezels.

For video calls, the tablet features a 12-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera positioned along its landscape edge. This makes video calls more convenient when using the tablet horizontally.

The new model also introduces IP67 water and dust resistance, offering additional protection against everyday accidents.

Improved AI capabilities

The A20 Pro chip powers the new iPad mini, bringing improvements to CPU and graphics performance.

Apple says the processor delivers up to 60 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance and up to 4.5 times faster AI performance compared with the previous generation.

These improvements support Apple’s expanding Apple Intelligence ecosystem and its latest Siri capabilities.

The upgraded hardware should also benefit users who edit photos, multitask across applications, and run demanding games on the compact tablet.

Pricing and availability

The new iPad mini starts at US$699 for the Wi-Fi model and US$849 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant in the United States.

In Singapore, the tablet starts at S$999 for the Wi-Fi model and S$1,229 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Eligible customers can get the Wi-Fi model starting at S$929 with education pricing.

In the Philippines, the new iPad mini starts at PhP 49,990 for the Wi-Fi model and PhP 59,990 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. Eligible customers can purchase it with education pricing starting at PhP 45,990.

The tablet comes in midnight and starlight finishes, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage configurations.

In the United States, preorders begin October 28, 2026, with availability starting November 6. Singapore preorders open October 29, with availability also beginning November 6.

Apple has yet to announce a specific preorder or release date for the Philippines. The company says the new iPad mini will be available soon through its Philippine online store and authorized resellers.

Sony has unveiled three premium Walkman digital music players designed for audiophiles. The new lineup includes the flagship NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3, and NW-ZX900, featuring upgraded audio components and technologies designed to deliver high-resolution sound.

The NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 lead the lineup with premium copper components, upgraded power circuitry, and Sony’s S-Master HX digital amplifier technology. The NW-ZX900 also inherits select audio components from the flagship model.

Sony Walkman lineup emphasizes sound quality

The NW-WM1ZM3 features a gold-plated, oxygen-free copper chassis with 99.99% copper purity. Sony says its construction helps deliver powerful bass, a wider soundstage, and smoother high frequencies. It also uses KIMBER KABLE wiring to reduce noise and preserve audio signal quality.

The NW-WM1AM3 and NW-ZX900 combine aluminium-alloy main chassis designs with gold-plated copper rear chassis components. The WM1 models also feature upgraded power circuitry and larger copper coils to improve signal clarity and reduce distortion.

All three players support Sony’s S-Master HX digital amplifier technology, Native DSD audio, and balanced output. Their DSD Remastering Engine converts PCM audio into an 11.2MHz DSD stream. The updated implementation also works with music streamed over Wi-Fi, allowing listeners to use the feature without downloading their tracks.

Larger displays and longer battery life

The NW-WM1ZM3 and NW-WM1AM3 feature 5.5-inch displays, while the NW-ZX900 has a 5-inch screen. Sony says the larger displays improve navigation and make album artwork easier to view. Users can also customize the Walkman home screen.

Battery life reaches up to 35 hours of 128kbps MP3 playback on the WM1 models, with up to 31 hours of streaming playback. The NW-ZX900 offers up to 40 hours of MP3 playback or 35 hours when using streaming service apps.

Sony has also eliminated plastic from the packaging of all three models as part of its sustainability efforts.

Sony Walkman pricing and availability

The new Sony Walkman lineup will arrive in Singapore from November 2026. Suggested retail prices are as follows:

• NW-WM1ZM3: SGD 6,999
• NW-WM1AM3: SGD 3,599
• NW-ZX900: SGD 2,399

Sony will also offer preorder promotions while stocks last. Buyers can get S$1,000 off the NW-WM1ZM3, S$400 off the NW-WM1AM3, or S$200 off the NW-ZX900. Each purchase also comes with a free IER-M500 worth S$139.

Customers can purchase the players through Sony Store online or visit Sony Stores and authorized dealers.

Sony has teamed up with Hello Kitty for a limited-edition collaboration that combines selected Sony products with exclusive merchandise featuring Sanrio’s beloved character.

Available exclusively through Sony Store channels, the collection marks Sony’s first collaboration with Hello Kitty. It covers the Xperia 10 VIII smartphone and three wireless headphone models: the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N, and WH-CH530.

Each collaboration model comes with exclusive Hello Kitty merchandise designed specifically for Sony Store customers.

Sony x Hello Kitty collection

The Xperia 10 VIII collaboration model is priced at SGD 919. It comes with an exclusive Hello Kitty sacoche-style shoulder bag designed to carry the smartphone and other small essentials, along with a Hello Kitty tote bag.

Meanwhile, the WH-1000XM6 collaboration model costs SGD 609. The WH-CH730N is priced at SGD 249, while the WH-CH530 costs SGD 149.

Each headphone collaboration package includes a Sony Store-exclusive Hello Kitty pouch for carrying the headphones and personal belongings, as well as a Hello Kitty tote bag.

The products retain Sony’s existing designs while adding Hello Kitty-themed accessories. The collection aims to bring the character’s signature charm into everyday use without changing the core design of the Sony devices.

Available now in Singapore

Pre-orders for the Sony x Hello Kitty collaboration models are now available through Sony Store channels in Singapore.

Sony is also showcasing the collection at the Sony Store at 313@somerset. Visitors can try the products firsthand and take photos at a dedicated Hello Kitty photo wall.

The collaboration models are available in limited quantities.

For more information, visit the official Sony Store Singapore website.

UPDATE: Sony x Hello Kitty arrives in the Philippines

The Sony x Hello Kitty collaboration will also be available in the Philippines starting October 16, 2026, at select Sony Centres.

Customers who purchase the WH-1000XM6 can add the exclusive Hello Kitty Collaboration package for PHP 4,999. The WH-1000XM6 is available in Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, and Sandstone.

The collaboration will be available at the following Sony Centres:

• SM Mall of Asia
• SM Megamall
• Glorietta by Ayala Malls
• The Sony Centre-exclusive collaboration goods are designed to complement Sony products with Hello Kitty’s signature charm, adding a playful touch to everyday music experiences.