On Dec. 1, 2025, retailers Amazon and Best Buy cut the price of Apple’s seventh‑generation iPad Mini, bringing the base Wi‑Fi model to $349 — a $150 reduction and the lowest price since the model’s 2024 launch. The 256GB Wi‑Fi version is also discounted to $449, matching its deepest discount to date. The sale appears timed for Cyber Monday and affects both major US retailers, offering a notable entry price for a tablet that packs Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. A related discount brings the 256GB 11‑inch M5 iPad Pro to $899, down $100 from its usual price.
Key Takeaways
- Price: The 7th‑gen iPad Mini (base Wi‑Fi) is priced at $349, a $150 markdown from list price.
- Higher capacity: The 256GB Wi‑Fi iPad Mini is on sale for $449, also $150 off.
- Hardware: The Mini uses Apple’s A17 Pro chip and supports Apple Intelligence and iPadOS 26 multitasking features.
- Display and design: The 2024 Mini has an 8.3‑inch 60Hz LCD, portrait webcam and the same external design as its predecessor.
- Accessories: It is the first Mini model compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which pairs and charges magnetically and supports an assignable squeeze action.
- Companion deal: Best Buy and Amazon also list the 256GB 11‑inch M5 iPad Pro at $899, a $100 discount.
- Timing: Discounts were advertised on Dec. 1, 2025, aligned with Cyber Monday promotions at major US retailers.
Background
Apple introduced the seventh‑generation iPad Mini in 2024 as a compact tablet positioned between phones and larger iPads. The model upgraded internal performance with the A17 Pro chip while preserving the Mini’s pocketable footprint and an 8.3‑inch display. Apple’s incremental improvements have focused on performance features — notably compatibility with Apple Intelligence and enhanced multitasking in iPadOS 26 — rather than large design shifts.
Retailers regularly use holiday shopping events like Cyber Monday to clear inventory and attract impulse buyers, and Apple devices are frequent targets of those seasonal discounts. Historically, iPad Mini price drops during major sales have been modest and brief; a $150 cut for a current‑generation model represents one of the deeper, widely available reductions for this product line since launch. Major US retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy typically coordinate online promotions to capture high traffic on the Monday following Thanksgiving.
Main Event
On Dec. 1, 2025, both Amazon and Best Buy listed the 7th‑generation iPad Mini base Wi‑Fi configuration at $349, reflecting a $150 discount from Apple’s standard asking price. The same retailers offered the 256GB Wi‑Fi variant at $449, also $150 below normal. These price points were visible on product pages and in site search results during Cyber Monday promotion periods, and appeared available while stocks lasted at the time of reporting.
The seventh‑gen Mini retains the small form factor consumers expect but packs the A17 Pro processor, which enables smoother multitasking and compatibility with features marketed under Apple Intelligence. The tablet’s hardware supports the Apple Pencil Pro for the first time in the Mini line; the accessory magnetically attaches, charges, and includes a pressure‑sensitive squeeze action that can be assigned to shortcuts.
Alongside the Mini discounts, retailers listed the 256GB 11‑inch M5 iPad Pro at $899, a $100 reduction that represents a notable but smaller relative cut than the Mini’s. Retail listings highlighted availability for immediate shipping or in‑store pickup for many users, though inventory levels varied across regions and colors at the time the sale was observed.
Analysis & Implications
From a consumer standpoint, the $349 price lowers the entry barrier to Apple’s current Mini, making the model more competitive against Android tablets and older iPad generations. The A17 Pro chip combined with Apple Intelligence support means purchasers gain performance headroom for multitasking and future software features, increasing the Mini’s utility beyond a simple media or reading device.
For Apple, steep seasonal discounts on current‑generation hardware can signal a push to broaden the installed base ahead of major software or ecosystem rollouts. While Apple rarely matches retailer‑led markdowns directly, the effect is to accelerate device turnover and could increase accessory sales — notably for the Apple Pencil Pro, which unlocks additional value for education and creative segments.
Retailers benefit from a Cyber Monday promotion that draws high traffic and higher‑margin add‑on sales. Lowering the Mini’s price by $150 widens the pool of buyers likely to purchase accessories or trade up to larger iPad models. For competitors, the discount tightens pricing pressure in the compact tablet segment, potentially prompting rival retailers or brands to introduce counteroffers.
Comparison & Data
| Model | Configuration | Regular Price | Sale Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Mini (7th‑gen) | Wi‑Fi 64GB | $499 | $349 | $150 |
| iPad Mini (7th‑gen) | Wi‑Fi 256GB | $599 | $449 | $150 |
| iPad Pro (11″ M5) | Wi‑Fi 256GB | $999 | $899 | $100 |
The table shows the advertised reductions observed on Dec. 1, 2025. Compared with typical Apple promotional behavior, the Mini’s $150 reduction is large for a current model and aligns with historically deeper markdowns reserved for older inventory or bundled promotions. Shoppers should check regional availability and shipping timelines — discounts were visible online at multiple US retailer pages but stock varied by color and carrier configuration.
Reactions & Quotes
“The iPad Mini is a compact tablet with enough power to run Apple Intelligence,”
The Verge (report summary)
“Compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro gives the Mini new utility for creators and note‑takers who need a truly portable device,”
Product coverage and technical summaries
These brief statements summarize coverage and product descriptions published around the promotion; they reflect reporting and product messaging available from media coverage and official specifications at the time of the sale.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the discounts will be restocked or extended beyond early Dec. 1, 2025 is not confirmed and likely depends on retailer inventory and promotional strategies.
- There is no official Apple statement linking these specific retailer price cuts to a broader corporate pricing strategy; any inference about Apple’s intentions is speculative.
Bottom Line
The Cyber Monday discounts make the 7th‑generation iPad Mini a particularly attractive buy for users seeking a highly portable tablet with modern performance. At $349 for the base Wi‑Fi model, the Mini becomes a stronger alternative to budget tablets and a sensible companion for users already inside Apple’s ecosystem who value size and speed.
Buyers should verify stock and retailer return policies before purchasing; while the price represents a meaningful savings, availability differed across configurations during the promotion window. For users weighing longevity versus value, the Mini’s A17 Pro and Apple Intelligence compatibility mean the device should remain useful as software features evolve.