The 16GB model of the iPad mini 3 is available from Amazon at a reduced price of $298.88 in limited quantities. With the iPad mini 4 available for an extra $100 many tablet customers will be in a fix to decide which iPad model to purchase.
Apple has discontinued the iPad mini 3 and the company is currently not offering the tablet from its official website. However, retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and more are still selling the iPad mini 3.
Here is a comparison of some features of the iPad mini 3 and the iPad mini 4.
Display
Both the iPad mini 3 and the iPad mini 4 have a 7.9-inch IPS LCD screen with 2,048 x 1,536 pixels resolution and 324ppi.
However, Apple claims that the iPad mini 4 has a custom-designed anti-reflective coating, which reduces glare by about 56 percent when compared to previous iPads.
"In virtually any kind of environment - offices, classrooms, the outdoors - everything is clearer and more readable," per Apple.
Processor and RAM
An A7 processor powers the iPad mini 3, while the iPad mini 4 runs on the faster A8 processor. Apple highlights that the A8 processor delivers up to 30 percent faster CPU performance and up to 60 percent faster GPU performance in comparison to the A7 processor.
The iPad mini 3 has 1GB of RAM, while the iPad mini 4 has 2GB of RAM.
Camera
The iPad mini 3 is equipped with a 5MP iSight camera and a 1.2MP front FaceTime camera. The iPad mini 4 has an advanced 8MP iSight camera, but has the same FaceTime camera as found in the iPad mini 3.
Touch ID
Both the iterations of the iPads have Touch ID for enhanced security.
Operating System
The new iPad mini 4 runs on the company's latest mobile operating system - iOS 9.
The iPad mini 3 comes running on iOS 8 out of the box, but is upgradable to iOS 9, which means new iPad mini 3 customers can still take advantage of the latest iOS.
Battery
Apple quotes the battery usage of the iPad mini 4 as 10 hours, the same as the tablet's predecessor.
Storage
Both the models of iPads are available in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB on-board storage without the option to expand the memory with a microSD card.
The launch of iPad mini 4 has undoubtedly over-shadowed iPad mini 3. The new-generation iPad mini 4 may attract customers who want a slightly faster processor and better iSight camera.
However, the iPad mini 3 still packs in impressive specs and users can enjoy iOS 9 and take advantage of Touch ID as found in the iPad mini 4. Moreover, the usage time of the older iPad mini 3 and the new iPad mini 4 remains the same.
Availability of the iPad mini 3 via Amazon for $298.88 may still attract many customers to buy the tablet instead of the iPad mini 4.
