iPad mini 8 battery listed at 4,900 mAh in EU energy label

Apple has revealed the battery capacity of the iPad mini 8 through an EU energy label. According to the listing, the new tablet ships with a 4,900 mAh battery, a little below the 5,034 mAh cell in the previous iPad mini.

Despite the small drop in capacity, Apple's website shows identical battery life estimates for both models. That suggests the efficiency gains from the new A20 Pro chip are offsetting the smaller cell. On paper the battery has shrunk, but the official battery life figures have not changed.

Watt-hour figures drop as well

For those who prefer watt-hours to milliamp-hours, Apple's technical specifications page also lists the numbers. The new iPad mini has an 18.9 Wh battery, compared with 19.3 Wh on the previous model.

Both measures point in the same direction: the iPad mini 8 is rated at 4,900 mAh and 18.9 Wh, while the iPad mini 7 was rated at 5,034 mAh and 19.3 Wh. The gap is relatively small, so Apple does not appear to have made a deep cut in battery size, only a modest step back.

Where the efficiency comes from

The unchanged battery life estimates appear to owe something to the new-generation chip. Improved power efficiency in the A20 Pro is a plausible explanation for how a smaller battery can deliver the same estimated runtime. In general, a processor that does the same work with less energy is one of the most common ways to make up for lost battery capacity.

The display change may contribute as well. The new iPad mini uses an OLED panel. Because OLED screens have no backlight, pixels showing black are switched off entirely, so dark-heavy content can draw less power than on an LCD. That shift in screen technology may also help explain why the battery life estimates stayed the same.

Other features and release date

The new model features an 8.5-inch OLED display. Instead of speaker holes, it uses a new audio system Apple calls Acoustic Display. The device also supports Wi-Fi 7 and has a design that is 15 percent thinner and lighter than the previous model.

Pre-orders for the iPad mini 8 have begun, with sales starting on Friday, November 6. The starting price in the US is $699. The slightly smaller battery combined with unchanged battery life estimates is a detail worth watching for anyone curious how the tablet will actually perform once it reaches users.