Apple iPad mini 3 Review: A Disappointing Upgrade

Design and Display

The Apple iPad mini 3 retains the same design as its predecessor, with no significant changes in size, weight, or thickness. The compact tablet features a premium build with an aluminum body, offering a solid and durable construction.

Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor

The notable addition to the iPad mini 3's design is the incorporation of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor into the home button. This feature provides an alternative and secure method for unlocking the device and also supports Apple Pay.

Display Quality

The iPad mini 3 boasts a 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 Retina display, delivering crisp details with a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. The display offers slightly improved color temperature but retains the same color reproduction characteristics as its predecessor, providing a visually pleasing experience.

• Display Details: The 7.9-inch Retina display offers detailed visuals with a pixel density of 326 PPI.
• Color Reproduction: The display provides delightful visuals, although it exhibits slight saturation and a color temperature of 6656 kelvins.
• Brightness Output: The brightness output has decreased to 312 nits, making it challenging to view the screen in bright outdoor conditions with increased glare.

iOS 8 Experience

The iOS 8 experience on the iPad mini 3 shares similarities with other Apple devices but has certain limitations due to its compact size. While it offers enhanced features, the smaller real estate may pose challenges for certain tasks such as typing and productivity work compared to the iPad Air 2.

Productivity and Real Estate

Due to its compact size, the iPad mini 3 may not be as ideal for productivity tasks compared to the larger iPad Air 2. The limited screen space makes certain activities, such as typing, more challenging.

iOS 8 Features

iOS 8 on the iPad mini 3 incorporates enhanced features that add depth to the user experience, rivaling those found on Android devices. Despite its limitations, the device still offers a range of functionalities and capabilities associated with the iOS 8 platform.

Processor and Performance

Despite lacking an upgrade to its processor, the iPad mini 3 retains the same dual-core Apple A7 chip based on 64-bit architecture and one gigabyte of RAM from its predecessor. While it may seem surprising for Apple not to introduce newer hardware, the device remains responsive and fast, offering a seamless user experience.

Multimedia Capabilities

The iPad mini 3 excels as a multimedia consumption device, delivering a fantastic web browsing experience with fast page loads and smooth navigational controls. Additionally, the music player maintains the same presentation and functionality as the previous model, producing 76.6 decibels of power from its speaker. While the audio quality is neutral in tone, it may lack in bass. Moreover, the compact size of the device offers an intimate video viewing experience.

Camera Performance

Apple has retained the same 5-megapixel iSight camera from the previous model for the iPad mini 3. The camera features a 5-element lens, an f/2.4 aperture, backside-illuminated sensor, and 1080p video recording capabilities. While the camera app offers the option to adjust exposure, there are no significant changes in its overall functionality.

Image Quality

The camera delivers consistent results with sharp details, natural colors, and proper exposure in well-lit environments. However, in low-light conditions, the images may exhibit softer details and washed-out colors. Despite these limitations, the camera produces meaningful shots suitable for everyday use.

Video Recording

The 1080p video recording quality is more than adequate for general usage, but it may suffer from noticeable noise in low-light settings. One drawback is the absence of continuous autofocus, requiring manual adjustment by touching the screen for focus, which can be inconvenient for users.

Battery Life

The battery life of the iPad mini 3 is slightly less enduring compared to its predecessor. In typical daily usage, the device can sustain a full day of operation. However, in standardized battery benchmark tests, it achieves a rating of 6 hours, indicating a moderate performance in terms of battery longevity.

Pricing and Recommendation

Apple's decision to attach a $100 premium to the iPad mini 3 compared to its predecessor is perplexing, especially considering the minimal upgrades. The iPad mini 2 is priced at $300, while the iPad mini 3 demands an additional $100, totaling $400. Given that the only notable addition is the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, it's challenging to justify the price hike for this model.

Recommendation

It's difficult to recommend the iPad mini 3 over its predecessor, especially considering the significant $100 price difference for a single new feature. Unless the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is a crucial factor for your needs, opting for the iPad mini 2 may be a more cost-effective choice for those in the market for a compact tablet.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Apple iPad mini 3.

1. What are the notable features of the iPad mini 3?

The notable addition to the iPad mini 3 is the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, providing secure unlocking and supporting Apple Pay.

2. How is the display quality of the iPad mini 3?

The iPad mini 3 boasts a 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 Retina display with a pixel density of 326 PPI, delivering crisp visuals, although its brightness output may pose challenges in bright outdoor conditions.

3. Is the iPad mini 3 suitable for productivity tasks?

Due to its compact size, the iPad mini 3 may not be as ideal for productivity tasks compared to larger models, such as the iPad Air 2.

4. What is the camera performance of the iPad mini 3?

The iPad mini 3 features a 5-megapixel iSight camera with 1080p video recording capabilities. While it delivers consistent image quality, it may exhibit limitations in low-light conditions.

5. How does the battery life of the iPad mini 3 compare to its predecessor?

The battery life of the iPad mini 3 is slightly less enduring compared to its predecessor, with a rating of 6 hours in standardized battery benchmark tests.