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GaryNoine

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 28, 2015
82
37
Atlanta
When it comes to updating the iPad mini 1st generation, would the Mini 3 be a good replacement at this time? Locally I've seen multiple places offering the Mini 3 at a low price. I'm wondering in your opinion if it is worth buying the 4 right now, especially when I can pick up a 3 for about $150 less. Yes I'm aware of how it works, faster chip, etc; however of course eventually the 3 will become outdated as will the 4 and so on, heck Apple already discontinued the 3 anyway. But do you think the 4 is worth paying the $150 more than the 3 to have it now and replace the Mini 1? Thank you
 

Apples n' Stone

macrumors 65816
Apr 13, 2015
1,422
939
Maidstone, U.K
Mini 3 vs Mini 2, the difference is Touch iD, Gold and an inactive NFC chip. So if you want to buy an older generation I would suggest looking at Mini 2 Options?
 

willentrekin

macrumors regular
Jun 12, 2013
236
170
US
When it comes to updating the iPad mini 1st generation, would the Mini 3 be a good replacement at this time? Locally I've seen multiple places offering the Mini 3 at a low price. I'm wondering in your opinion if it is worth buying the 4 right now, especially when I can pick up a 3 for about $150 less. Yes I'm aware of how it works, faster chip, etc; however of course eventually the 3 will become outdated as will the 4 and so on, heck Apple already discontinued the 3 anyway. But do you think the 4 is worth paying the $150 more than the 3 to have it now and replace the Mini 1? Thank you

The updated display alone is worth the price difference for the 4.
 
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journeyy

macrumors regular
Sep 11, 2013
127
52
The iPad Mini 2/3 is not so great if you do just a bit of multitasking. It really needed 2GB RAM. Also the weight reduction and display upgrade on the 4 is really worth it. If you just use it for reading the 2 is still a solid device.
 

Apples n' Stone

macrumors 65816
Apr 13, 2015
1,422
939
Maidstone, U.K
Adding on to my earlier post, a Mini 4 would be a better device for longevity which I gather is a priority if you wish to keep it as you have your First Generation. It has 2GB of RAM, so it can handle the additional features to be offered that are software related. As 2GB is a lot to us now due to how much more RAM efficient iOS is over Android. Plus that amazing display panel, it is the one to buy my friend. I would recommend a 64GB WiFi model (iPad Mini 4)!
 
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newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,146
3,043
East of Eden
No contest. The savings are not worth it. Mini 4 FTW.

I agree with this. Buying a 1GB RAM iPad at this time really doesn't make sense unless you know that you're going to be happy with a minimal device for quite a few years, and even then it could turn out worse than you could guess right now.

BTW, if you were trying to save money, buy a Mini 2, not a Mini 3, unless you can get a crazy deal on the Mini 3.
 
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DcGamer05

macrumors 6502
Mar 27, 2011
389
226
Litchfield CT
Adding on to my earlier post, a Mini 4 would be a better device for longevity which I gather is a priority if you wish to keep it as you have your First Generation. It has 2GB of RAM, so like the 4S (first to have 1GB) will support the latest iOS much longer than the 4 did as it can handle the additional features to be offered. As 2GB is a lot to us now due to how much more RAM efficient iOS is over Android. Plus that amazing display panel, it is the one to buy my friend. I would recommend a 64GB WiFi model (iPad Mini 4)!

The 4s had 512mb of memory the difference between the 4 and 4s isn't memory it's processing power. The 4 was single core and the 4s was a dual core A5
 

Cool Pup

macrumors 6502a
Jun 18, 2010
724
115
Dallas, TX
Absolutely. It'll be much more futureproof than the 3 and the screen is much better. Unless you can get the 3 for a surreal discount, then I say get the 4 by all means.
 

elmarjazz

macrumors regular
May 26, 2010
212
114
Much better display and now with 100% RGB gamut, 2 GB RAM, smaller mini form factor, an option 128GB storage, better cameras and wireless connection, faster processor.

Its a bit of cash (saving money if you need to is the only reason to think of another version), but its the first mini - which I like the smaller iPad form factor of - that I really wanted, few compromises, and I have a new mini 4. Sure there will be a better mini in the future, but this version hits all the buttons and should still be a fine tool for a few years
at least.
 

iSheep5S

macrumors 6502a
Jun 4, 2013
581
288
Scotland
From the iPad mini 1 which is basically an iPad 2 to the iPad mini 2/3 which is basically an iPad Air. That's a big jump.

I think the 64bit chips will be supported for longer. Look at how old the mini/iPad 2 is and they are supported.

Just a little to add to the already good advice.
 

Apples n' Stone

macrumors 65816
Apr 13, 2015
1,422
939
Maidstone, U.K
From the iPad mini 1 which is basically an iPad 2 to the iPad mini 2/3 which is basically an iPad Air. That's a big jump.

I think the 64bit chips will be supported for longer. Look at how old the mini/iPad 2 is and they are supported.

Just a little to add to the already good advice.
There is that element to it, but I would personally choose the 4 if I wanted to keep it for a long time (RAM mainly). Different people with different opinions though!
 
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rkuo

macrumors 65816
Sep 25, 2010
1,306
950
Your best value would be an iPad Air 2 on sale. The Mini 4 is overpriced and should drop dramatically in a few months on the resale market. It would have been a nice upgrade last year. I like the Mini form factor but there isn't a substantial difference between the Mini 4 and Mini 2 in practice at this very moment. About the most you'll notice is less web page reloading and app reloading if you switch around a lot.
 

davygee

macrumors member
Oct 9, 2015
74
30
Saltcoats, UK
First up, the Mini 4 is obviously the best iPad Mini Apple have made. Is it worth $150 more than a Mini 3...thats debateable. I'm sure you could pick up the Air 2 for the same price as the Mini 4, and the Air 2 is a better all round iPad.

If you have the money for a Mini 4 and really want a smaller form factor iPad, then get the Mini 4, but if you want to save some cash or aren't dead set on the smaller screen, look into the Air 2 or just settle for the Mini 3.

The Mini 4 is only using an A8 processor, not the A8X that is in the Air 2, so although it's faster than the A7 in the Mini 3, it's not as fast as the A8X in the Air 2.
 
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newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,146
3,043
East of Eden
Much better sound as well.

Absolutely. It'll be much more futureproof than the 3 and the screen is much better. Unless you can get the 3 for a surreal discount, then I say get the 4 by all means.

Much better display and now with 100% RGB gamut, 2 GB RAM, smaller mini form factor, an option 128GB storage, better cameras and wireless connection, faster processor.

Its a bit of cash (saving money if you need to is the only reason to think of another version), but its the first mini - which I like the smaller iPad form factor of - that I really wanted, few compromises, and I have a new mini 4. Sure there will be a better mini in the future, but this version hits all the buttons and should still be a fine tool for a few years
at least.
 

pika2000

Suspended
Jun 22, 2007
5,587
4,903
Although Mini 4 will be the fastest and support side-by-side apps, if you don't need that functionality, the refurbished Mini 2 is going to be the best deal. Forget about the mini 3.
 

magbarn

macrumors 68030
Oct 25, 2008
2,987
2,338
If you can get the mini 2/3 still running iOS 8 than they're decent. My mini 2 has been SLOooW since going to iOS 9. The keyboard even lags. I'm still kicking myself for not downgrading while Apple was still signing 8.4.1!
 

Apples n' Stone

macrumors 65816
Apr 13, 2015
1,422
939
Maidstone, U.K
If you can get the mini 2/3 still running iOS 8 than they're decent. My mini 2 has been SLOooW since going to iOS 9. The keyboard even lags. I'm still kicking myself for not downgrading while Apple was still signing 8.4.1!
Odd, I did not have this! My Mini 2 ran as fast as it were new, I went through most Beta OS versions they offered for development! Although I stopped using it as much last year and sold it earlier this month :/ Have you tried a clean restore? And then restore again via iCloud perhaps? I read that helped some people
 

Donka

macrumors 68030
May 3, 2011
2,842
1,439
Scotland
I would never encourage anyone in the market to look at anything other than the mini 4. The only other one to consider would be the mini 2 and that is purely out of the need to get the best value purchase today with that being the only deciding factor. The jump from 3 to 4 is huge when you consider all the improvements combined.
 
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