Apple iPad Mini 3 – Specs, Features and Pricing

One special thing about Apple’s products is their innovation and longevity. That’s why even its old products are still in use for a large number of users. One of these products is the Apple iPad Mini 3. This tablet offers several useful features and specifications for users that are good enough to make it their primary tablet device.

In this article, I aim to describe its main specifications in detail along with current pricing as well. So, let’s get into it. 

Apple iPad Mini 3 is one of the most popular and functional products in the Mini lineup. It comes with features that make it not only work better but also portable. With its A7 chipset, this tablet offers processing power that is enough to run several applications and games without any worries.

iPad Mini 3 release date is October 22, 2014. It followed the footsteps of its predecessor, the iPad Mini 2, but added some notable improvements, including the much-loved Touch ID feature.

Although it’s unsuitable for modern heavy games and programs, the tablet can still be a great personal device. With its 7.9-inch screen display, you get enough space to enjoy movies and videos. Before I start describing this tablet in detail, take a look at its specifications table below:

The iPad Mini 3 looks similar to its predecessor at first glance, but it brought some game-changing features to the table. These upgrades set it apart for better functionality and user experience.

The Design

In many ways, the design of this tablet isn’t any different from the Apple iPad Mini 2. It has the same dimensions 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm as well as the weight (331g) as its predecessor. It means the iPad Mini 3 has a very decent design and feels comfortable to hold.

On its front slide, you can see the large screen that has thick bezels around it. You’re also getting the home button with a built-in Touch ID option. 

As for the power button and volume rockers, Apple has placed them on the right side. The same goes for the silencer button making it easier to reach and use. The tablet’s body is very sturdy and you’re getting the Oleophobic coating on the display screen for better protection. The company was generous enough to add a few color options for this iPad that are:

• Space Grey/Black
• Silver/White
• Gold

The Display

The display quality of the iPad Mini 3 is stunning as well. It has a large screen with a resolution of 1536 x 2048. You might be surprised to know that it is the same resolution Apple added to the iPad 5th generation three years later.

On Mini 3, the overall display is good enough to have a great multimedia experience. Its IPS LCD makes the text look crispy and sharper. Besides that, the tablet has a pixel density of around 324 ppi which makes the display even better.

It’s a great device for people who usually work outside or in a general environment with high lighting. That is because the device’s peak is 450 nits brightness. Put simply, this tablet has a very good display which is enough for entertainment purposes as well as general usage.

The Performance

This tablet offers decent performance due to the installed software and hardware. It runs iOS 8.1, which is capable of offering useful features and options. Not only that. The OS is upgradable and goes up to iPadOS 12.5.6. So, technically, after a full upgrade, you can use the same OS as the iPad 6th Generation.

Besides the operating system, the tablet’s power comes from its A7 chipset as well. This chipset has a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone CPU. These specifications make the tab powerful enough to handle some basic apps and games without causing trouble. As for the RAM, it’s 1GB and you’re getting three different storage options here that are:

• 16GB
• 64GB
• 128GB

Now, you might not be able to run modern games and apps on the tablet but it’s got enough space for storing your valuable data. 

Cameras:

As for the camera quality, the iPad Mini 3 has some decent specifications to offer. It has a 5MP front camera that features HDR. It captures very sharp pictures with great color quality. You can record 1080p videos @30fps on it.

The front camera, on the other hand, is a 1.2MP with face detection capability. You can easily capture good-looking selfies with it and record videos at 720p (also @30fps). The iPad 7th also gives you the megapixels in the front camera but it has a lot better main lens (8MP). 

Battery Life:

The Mini 3 packs a 6470 mAh battery which is enough for offering a long screen time. With standard usage, the tab can go on for around 10 to 13 hours. It’s not a very bad battery specification compared to a far more advanced version, the iPad 9th, and 10th Generation (that has an 8557 mAh battery).

Pros and Cons of iPad 3 Generation

Pricing of iPad Mini 3

In the USA, the price of the Apple iPad Mini 3 varies depending on the retailer and condition (new or refurbished).

If you’re looking for a refurbished model, prices range from $99.99 to $349.99 on the basis of storage capacity and condition. Prices may also vary based on promotions and trade-in offers available at different retailers. You can find it on platforms like eBay, Walmart, or refurbished electronics stores.

The Apple iPad Mini 3 is a great tablet that comes packed with all the necessary features and specifications. Although it’s not a lot upgraded compared to its predecessor, it still offers some great functionalities.

It can be used as a perfect multimedia device and you can handle your basic office work on it as well. It’s not capable of running modern games and apps. Still, some programs work on it flawlessly.