iPad mini mini 4 purchase

[sjleworthy]

just a quickie......

looking to purchase a mini4 for the wife. what's it like running the latest ios and software these days, as it is getting on a bit ?

 

[LibbyLA]

Did you see this thread?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-mini-4-or-ipad-9-7-model.2127208/#post-26242154

 

[bodonnell202]

My mini 4 still runs great with iOS 11.4. I haven’t really noticed any slowdowns over the years and I’ve had it since shortly after it was released in 2015 and by all accounts iOS 12 should be fine too... hard to say after that.

 

[Greenmeenie]

My ipad mini 2 runs ios 11 okay, but it’s 5 yrs old and is definitely slow and annoying. The mini 4 is only 3 yrs old, so i think it should be decent enough. Apple says ios 12 will make older devices run smoother as well as improve battery life.

Having said that, if your wife can wait a few months, there is a slim chance Apple may announce an update to the ipad mini alongside the new pros. It’s a long shot, but possible. At least thats what i am holding out for. Wether its worth it for you to wait is another matter.

 

[iOSpecialist]

The current 6th ten ipad is a much better choice right now if your wife is alright with the larger form factor. The A10 is 2 years newer than the A8 and will likely get more software updates in the future. Also in Canada where I live the price difference is only about $20 which is only about $15 USD. I would say the mini 4 is a bad buy right now unless you find a really good sale. Definitely don’t buy at MSRP.

And as Greenmeenie said, you could hope for a spec bump or something this fall if you can wait.

 

[estabya]

The current 6th ten ipad is a much better choice right now if your wife is alright with the larger form factor. The A10 is 2 years newer than the A8 and will likely get more software updates in the future. Also in Canada where I live the price difference is only about $20 which is only about $15 USD. I would say the mini 4 is a bad buy right now unless you find a really good sale. Definitely don’t buy at MSRP.

And as Greenmeenie said, you could hope for a spec bump or something this fall if you can wait.

iOSpecialist is 100% correct. The iPad mini 4 is a 3 year old product with a 4 year old CPU. The 2018 iPad has over twice the CPU power. I don't think the mini 4 is worth purchasing in 2018.

I don't see Apple updating the mini, but you never know.

EDIT: I previously stated that the iPad mini 4 had half the memory of the iPad 2018 when in fact they both have 2GB.

 

[Greenmeenie]

MIf t

iOSpecialist is 100% correct. The iPad mini 4 is a 3 year old product with a 4 year old CPU. The 2018 iPad has double the memory and over twice the CPU power. I don't think the mini 4 is worth purchasing in 2018.

I don't see Apple updating the mini, but you never know.

If the ipad mini isn’t updated this fall, i think it’ll be discontinued for sure. However, as an ipad mini user, I do hope, and do think there is a slight chance Apple may update it one last time this fall. Of course i’d love an ipad mini pro that removes the bezels & increases the screen size from 7.9” to 8.5”...but i wouldn’t bet on that happening. More likely, i see Apple updating the specs to equal the 2018 ipad with pencil support.