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Apple iPad Mini 3 review

7.1/10 AVG.
RATING
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Apple iPad Mini 3
Apple iPad Mini 3
Apple iPad Mini 3
Apple iPad Mini 3
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7.1/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad Mini 3 currently has an Informr score of 7.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 17 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Touch ID support
  • Great battery life
  • Peppy performance
  • Apple SIM

What's bad

  • Little difference from iPad Mini 2
  • No NFC
  • Price

With the Apple iPad Mini 3, Apple once again splits the specs between the larger iPad and its smaller sibling. How does the Mini 3 compare to the rest of the small tablet offerings on the market? Let’s see how the reviews look!

The Mini 3 includes the same display as the original iPad Mini with Retina--now called the iPad Mini 2. The 2048-by-1536 7.9-inch IPS display offers bright colors, plenty of sharpness and viewing angles that only IPS can offer. While it might be the display from a previous model, TechCrunch says that it is still “one of the best tablet displays in the business.”

In fact, this trend continues to most everything about the Mini 3. Essentially it is the iPad Mini 2 with TouchID support, Apple SIM support and new gold color option. CNet reiterated this stating, “take one look at the specs and you'll see it's déjà vu all over again for Apple's little guy.”

With a 1.27GHz 64-bit A7 processor and 1GB of RAM, the tablet is capable of most anything you want it to do. Reviews note that it multitasks with ease and plays even the latest games with no problems. A variety of storage options, from 16GB to 128GB offer plenty room for your movies, music, apps and more.

Apple’s Touch ID offers easy unlocking of the device, while support for Apple Pay will make online purchases quick and secure as well. Unfortunately, lack of NFC support means you won’t be able to use it at retail locations.

The other addition, Apple SIM, allows you to swap between various data providers without needing to change SIM cards. Currently there are a number of providers in the US and UK working with Apple. If you prefer a different carrier, there is no physical difference in SIM cards, so swap in your preferred card and you’ll be on your way.

The Mini 3 includes an estimated 10-hour mixed use battery time which was confirmed by many reviewers. Streaming HD video, Engadget achieved 14-hours of playback on a single charge.

With a 5MP rear camera and 1.2MP front camera, the tablet won’t be replacing your point-and-shoot camera anytime soon. However, reviews find that the cameras offer respectable quality for video chat and social media.

Despite positive reviews, many reviewers struggled to endorse the Mini 3 in comparison to the previous model. The Verge stated that it “feels competitive with the other small tablets on the market” but also posed the question, “How much is Touch ID worth?” PC Magazine declared “existing mini 2 owners have very little reason to upgrade.” In the end, Engadget summed up thoughts best, stating “The mini 3 got so little love this time around that the best news about it is the fact that last year's version is now $100 cheaper.”


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
1.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.3 GHz
7.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
7.9"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
23 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Reviewed
Reviewed

It's easy to get a little steamed when a company sees fit to just sit on their laurels and push out a product without doing much to justify its expanded pricetag. And you'd be right to feel like looking elsewhere is the logical response. However, the iPad mini 3 is still a good tablet—it's jus...

- Chris Thomas, Reviewed
Geek Squad
Geek Squad

I have no doubt that that iPad mini 3 is one of, if not the, best small tablet on the market and I would highly recommend it to anyone. There is, however, one issue and that is the iPad mini 2. While the mini 3 is available in larger storage sizes, the base 16 GB model iPad mini 3 is EXACTLY the sam...

- Agent Hall, Geek Squad
PC Pro
PC Pro

It seems ungrateful to gripe about the iPad mini 3: Apple has added Touch ID without bumping the price upwards, and the £399 and £479 models now deliver twice the storage of the previous generation.The glaring issue is that Apple has shot itself in the foot by reducing the price of the i...

- Sasha Muller, PC Pro
Recombu
Recombu

We're in a quandary of sorts here.The Apple iPad Mini 3 is a fantastic tablet. and we'd happily use it every day. It's great for watching movies, getting creative, playing games, staying connected with your mates and everything else you'd possibly want a tablet for.But for £80 less you can buy...

- Chris Barraclough, Recombu
iMore
iMore

The iPad mini 3 is nothing more than an iPad mini 2 with Touch ID and Apple Pay, a gold option, and cheaper 64GB and 128GB models. Whether you're looking to buy your first iPad or upgrading from a previous model, the iPad mini 3’s enticement factor will depend entirely on how much you value To...

- Rene Ritchie, iMore


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Quick view

Screen Size
7.9"

The Apple iPad Mini 3's screen size is 7.9 inches with 1536 x 2048 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.3 GHz

There is a Apple A7 Dual core 1.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 8 (Update Available: 12) operating system (OS).

Camera
5+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/64/128 GB

Internal memory is 16/64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
23mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 23 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad Mini 3 Specs

Overview
Release Date October 24, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 8 (Update Available: 12)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A7 Dual core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage 16/64/128 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.18 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Self-timer, HDR, Exposure
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection, Geotagging, Panorama
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1536 x 2048 pixels
Pixel density 326 pixels
Size 7.9 inches
Sensors Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 23 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 30 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Gold, Space Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 20 x 13.5 x 0.7 cm (7.9 x 5.3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 331
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Fingerprint identity sensor built into the Home button

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Apple iPad Mini 3 Reviews
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