The Apple iPad mini 3 is Apple's latest attempt to grab your attention, and after going through the spec sheet, there is a fair bit here worth talking about. Announced in 2014, October. Released 2014, October, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm 2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. The build feels well put together, and Apple has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Space Gray/Black.
Performance & Software
Powering the Apple iPad mini 3 is the Apple A7 (28 nm), paired with 1GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs iOS 8.1, upgradable to iPadOS 12.5.8 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
The camera setup is one of the talking points here, with a 5 MP sensor doing the heavy lifting. Expect solid detail in good light, with the usual softness creeping in once the sun goes down.
Battery
There is a Li-Po 6470 mAh, non-removable (24.3 Wh) battery inside, which should comfortably see most people through a full day on a single charge.
Our Opinion
Coming to the important bit, our opinion on the Apple iPad mini 3. Apple has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering strong battery life, a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. Even so, the Apple iPad mini 3 holds its own and represents a solid, no-nonsense buy. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
