what are the differences among the different versions of ipad mini in the market? I´ve got to buy one. a few years, i remebered that i bought ipad mini 2 instead of ipad mini 3 because the price was high and the characteristics were quite similar.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad mini Differences
- Thread starter borjam1981
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
rui no onna
Contributor
Performance, pretty significant. The mini 4 and mini 5 have a 4-generation CPU/GPU gap (A8 to A12) and the latter has more RAM (3GB vs 2GB).
I expect firmware updates for the mini 4 will be dropped sooner rather than later and it's started to show its age. Meanwhile, mini 5 should continue to be supported for a long while. Mind, the mini 4 has already been discontinued (manufacturing-wise). Whatever's available right now is likely just clearance stock.
I expect firmware updates for the mini 4 will be dropped sooner rather than later and it's started to show its age. Meanwhile, mini 5 should continue to be supported for a long while. Mind, the mini 4 has already been discontinued (manufacturing-wise). Whatever's available right now is likely just clearance stock.
The Mini 4 is likely to stop on the first version of iPad OS (which it is already confirmed to be getting.) It has the A8 chip, the same as the iPod Touch 6 and the iPhone 6/6+ which are getting dropped. The Mini 4’s 2GB RAM as compared to 1GB in the other devices appears to have saved it.
The Mini 2 and Mini 3 were the most similar specs wise (only the addition of Touch ID and a gold colour option.) The Mini 1 and 4 were arguably underspecced upon release (1st Gen lacked Retina display despite the older iPad 3 and the iPad 4 released at around the same time having it.) 1st Gen had less RAM and the A5 processor vs the A6X in the iPad 4, while the Mini 4 was a year newer than the iPad Air 2 and had the A8 vs the Air 2’s A8X.
The Mini 5 is current specs for the mid range line - A12 and 3GB just like the Air 3 and the only thing it lacks is the smart connector.
The Mini 2 and Mini 3 were the most similar specs wise (only the addition of Touch ID and a gold colour option.) The Mini 1 and 4 were arguably underspecced upon release (1st Gen lacked Retina display despite the older iPad 3 and the iPad 4 released at around the same time having it.) 1st Gen had less RAM and the A5 processor vs the A6X in the iPad 4, while the Mini 4 was a year newer than the iPad Air 2 and had the A8 vs the Air 2’s A8X.
The Mini 5 is current specs for the mid range line - A12 and 3GB just like the Air 3 and the only thing it lacks is the smart connector.
rui no onna
Contributor
I don't think thermals would have allowed for X version chipsets on the minis. That said, A6/1GB on mini 1 and A9/2GB on mini 4 would've been nice.
In fairness, the mini 1 was a "budget" iPad and was pretty much a shrunken down iPad 2.
The mini 4, however, had the same MSRP as the Air 2 upon its release ($399) and there were sales bringing the Air 2 below mini 4 pricing so this one was less "forgivable".
In fairness, the mini 1 was a "budget" iPad and was pretty much a shrunken down iPad 2.
The mini 4, however, had the same MSRP as the Air 2 upon its release ($399) and there were sales bringing the Air 2 below mini 4 pricing so this one was less "forgivable".
AutomaticApple
Suspended
The Mini? Now, as it was updated in March after 3 and a half years. No one knows when or if there will be a new Mini (or Mini Pro) but it’s highly unlikely it would come soon, given the recent update.
No to the Mini 4 though, as it’s a GB of RAM and 4 processor generations behind the 5.
I bought mini 5 64gb brand new at a local store for $276 after tax past Friday, they were having a sale. I think right now is a good time to buy since mini 5 was just released in March and has A12 chip, very capable device.