iPad mini Is the Mini 3 a waste?

[Alex225]

Ok, I'm finding my iPad Mini 2 more and more useful, it's plenty quick enough but so handy for chucking in my work bag. Plus I will be using it for some work purposes as well.

Now I'm in a position to afford to upgrade my Mini as it's ideal other than the fact that I'd really love more storage (it's a 32gb!)

My main question is, is the Mini 3 a waste of money? I'd love to have 128gb of storage on the move and could easily use half of that for movies/music and have a tonne of space left for apps.

I know I could sell my Mini 2 for a decent amount so the overall cost of the 3 wouldn't be a bad thing but just after some ideas.

I guess the 64gb Mini 2 is the best value but I'm in two minds.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Sell the current Mini 2 for about $225-$350.
Go into the refurb store and buy a 64GB or 128GB Mini 2 at a discount:

WIFI only: NA & $439
Cellular: $449 & $539

If you sell what you have for about $275, you can get your upgrade for about $150-$300 more.

The "3" mostly brings Touch ID. If that would be very important to you, consider paying for the difference. Else, the refurb store might be the way to go.

 

[Vandam500]

Honestly if you need the more store then go for it. If not, and you don't care about Touch ID then yes, IMO I believe that it would be a waste of money.

 

[Cobster]

By the end of this summer I was in the market for a mini - but I wantet the touch login - so I waited for the new Mini... and got the 128 GB... I'm happy...

If I had the Mini 2 prior to the launch of the Mini 3... I would not have updated just to update... - the only reason to update I guess - would be if I could not live without the extra GB...

 

[newellj]

It's a personal decision but for me the cost increment of the Mini 3 is a waste, yes. I find TouchID extremely useful on my phones, but I routinely use the one-handed. For iPads, even the smaller Mini, two hands are generally the rule. Even flipping the cover open is a two-handed exercise, so keying in the passcode rather than using the TouchID sensor isn't a big deal - for me. YMMV.

 

[Alex225]

The capacity of the device is the biggest concern as I'm finding 32gb frustrating. I like to dump a tonne of music and movies on my devices which I can do with 128gb of storage and still have plenty of space for magazines/books and apps.

The Touch ID is a nice option on my iPhone 6, not essential but nice.

Also I'm in the process of trading in my iPhone 5 64gb so will be getting about £120 for that. If I sell the Mini 2 for around £200 then I've only got a cost of £169 to update to a 128gb Mini 3. That makes a little more sense.

 

[Wbutchart]

There is a lot of focus on the specs of the air 2 - fair enough, they are immense.

However, realistically, going by previous patterns, the air 2 is not massively relevant to this, nor us it likely to be benefiting from those specs in everyday usage.

The reality is that iOS 9 will be written with the mini 1 still gaining the os. The mini 1 has a geek bench of ground 490. So this is the baseline, where apps will target to mass market, where Apple will be forced to code with in mind. The iPad mini 2&3 both have geek bench scores of around 2400, this is more than powerful for short term and longerm use.

So if you need the extra storage go for it! The device is almost 5 times more powerful than it needs to be to run.

Before others screech speed and lag, is said 'needs to run' sure greater specs may create more speed, however the reality is that this is a luxury not a nessesity.

 

[matraco]

Im in the same position as you. I was expecting a new mini with the latest stuff but was looking to upgrade mainly for the storage (i have a 16gb mini 2). Now im forced to buy the Air 2 if i dont want to have the feeling of wasting a decent amount on relatively old technology. Im undecided, but if i upgrade i think im edging for the Air 2.

 

[Septembersrain]

Honestly, I'm in the position where I really liked the finger print scanner. So since I was moving from the original Mini, that was the upgrade I'd chosen. Is the finger print scanner or gold color worth the extra money? If no, go with a larger storage refurbished Mini 2. That's what I think anyways.

 

[AppleRobert]

Im in the same position as you. I was expecting a new mini with the latest stuff but was looking to upgrade mainly for the storage (i have a 16gb mini 2). Now im forced to buy the Air 2 if i dont want to have the feeling of wasting a decent amount on relatively old technology. Im undecided, but if i upgrade i think im edging for the Air 2.

Air 2 will be $399 on BF at Best Buy. The Minis might go on sale but I doubt $100 lower.

Air 2 for the win.

 

[Alex225]

Thing is I have the Air 2 on its way for Xmas but I'll stick with the full size iPad for home use.

The Mini is perfect for commuting and on the move. It would be nice to carry the same amount of stuff on it as I do on my iPhone 6. I wouldn't watch movies on my iPhone.

 

[aznguyen316]

Air 2 will be $399 on BF at Best Buy. The Minis might go on sale but I doubt $100 lower.

Air 2 for the win.

Mini 3 is currently $75 off for elite/elite plus members at Best Buy until Nov. 20. Not sure if it will be this price another time, but it's labeled as "early preview" so maybe on BF it's $75 off.

 

[Plutonius]

If you are getting a LTE iPad to go on the Verizon network, get the Mini 3 or get a Verizon Mini 2.

 

[bevsb2]

I'm not updating my 16 GB LTE rMini because storage is not an issue for me. I mainly use it for outside the home and can't justify getting the mini 3 just for touch ID. If I needed (or wanted) more storage I would get the new mini 3 for the Touch ID as well. Just one more opinion.

 

[AppleRobert]

Mini 3 is currently $75 off for elite/elite plus members at Best Buy until Nov. 20. Not sure if it will be this price another time, but it's labeled as "early preview" so maybe on BF it's $75 off.

I did not know that and checked the website and could not find that specifically. Do you have a link?

 

[aznguyen316]

I did not know that and checked the website and could not find that specifically. Do you have a link?

Sure. Here's the early deals page:

Best Buy BF early sale

And then the direct link which shows all the mini 3's at $75 off.

iPad Mini 3

As mentioned it's currently available for the rewards members elite/elite plus.

It is available on Black Friday as well.

Check this ad: http://blackfriday.bestbuy.com/?category=apple

 

[impaler]

I think it depends what you're upgrading from, or to. Coming from an iPad 3, the mini 3 was a nice upgrade for me. Much more portable and easier to use daily. Plus I wanted 128GB storage.

 

[AppleRobert]

Thanks for the info above on the Mini 3 sale, much appreciated.

 

[Alex225]

Well I've put my order in for a 128gb Mini 3 in space grey.

I have a potential buyer of my iPad Mini 2 and a definite trade in for my iPhone 5, so an outlay of £170 to from from a 32gb Mini 2 to a 128gb Mini 3.

Can't wait for the storage space and I'll enjoy the Touch ID as I only set it up on my iPhone 6 a few days ago and it's won me over haha.