iPad Mini Drops Back to $499 Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Apple's iPad Mini is cheaper again. Just ahead of Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days, the seventh-generation tablet is $100 off across several configurations, and it's the best price since late June.

The 128GB Wi-Fi model is down to $499 from $599. The 256GB Wi-Fi version is $599, down from $699, and the 512GB Wi-Fi model drops from $899 to $799. The 128GB cellular model is listed at $649.

The discount matters because Apple raised prices on a number of its devices in June, and the iPad Mini has not seen a worthwhile markdown since. Throughout 2025, the base configuration regularly sold for around $400. Shoppers who remember those prices may still find $499 steep for a tablet that launched in late 2024.

There is a timing argument for buying now, though. If Apple releases a new iPad Mini later this year, the replacement could well carry a higher price than the current model. Locking in a discounted older unit could be the cheaper route if that happens.

The 2024 iPad Mini runs on Apple's A17 Pro chip and supports Apple Intelligence. It works with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C transfer speeds than its predecessor.

When The Verge reviewed the tablet at launch, it praised the processor upgrade and the AI features. The reviewer also felt it lacked some of the quality-of-life improvements that arrived on the larger iPads released around the same time.

For anyone who wants a compact tablet and has been waiting for the price to come down, this is the most appealing offer in months. Those who need the lowest possible price may want to wait to see whether Prime Big Deal Days brings further cuts, or whether a new model changes the picture.