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amazon Apple iPad mini 3 reviews
The Apple iPad Mini 3, released in October 2014, is the third iteration of Apple’s compact tablet series. It arrived with high expectations, building upon the success of its predecessors, the iPad Mini and iPad Mini 2. Despite being released several years ago, the iPad Mini 3 remains an interesting device to look back on, especially for those considering second-hand options or assessing the evolution of Apple’s tablet technology. This review delves into the iPad Mini 3’s design, display, performance, software, camera, battery life, and overall value.
Design
The design of the iPad Mini 3 closely mirrors that of the iPad Mini 2. It features a sleek and premium aluminum unibody, which gives it a solid and high-quality feel. The dimensions are 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm, and it weighs 331 grams for the Wi-Fi model and 341 grams for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. These measurements make it compact and lightweight, ideal for one-handed use and portability.
The front of the device is dominated by the 7.9-inch Retina display, surrounded by relatively thick bezels. The home button at the bottom is integrated with Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a new feature for the iPad Mini line at the time. The back of the tablet houses the Apple logo and a rear camera. The volume buttons and mute switch are located on the right side, while the power button and headphone jack are on the top. The Lightning connector and speaker grilles are found at the bottom.
The iPad Mini 3 comes in three color options: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold, adding a bit of personalization choice for users.
Display
The iPad Mini 3 features a 7.9-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch (PPI). This high-resolution display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it excellent for reading, watching videos, and playing games.
The Retina display technology ensures that individual pixels are virtually indistinguishable at normal viewing distances, providing crisp text and detailed images. The color reproduction is accurate and vivid, which enhances the overall viewing experience. The display also offers good brightness levels and wide viewing angles, ensuring that content remains clear and visible from different perspectives.
One of the notable features of the iPad Mini 3’s display is its anti-reflective coating, which helps reduce glare in bright environments. This makes the tablet more usable outdoors or under direct lighting, although it doesn’t completely eliminate reflections.
Performance
The iPad Mini 3 is powered by the Apple A7 chip with 64-bit architecture and the M7 motion coprocessor, the same hardware found in the iPad Mini 2. While this was a powerful configuration at the time of its release, it began to show its age with the advent of newer, more demanding applications and operating system updates.
For everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, social media, and light gaming, the iPad Mini 3 performs adequately. Apps launch quickly, and the user interface is generally smooth. However, more demanding applications and multitasking can lead to occasional slowdowns and stutters.
The 1GB of RAM, while sufficient for basic tasks, limits the tablet’s multitasking capabilities. Users may experience app reloads when switching between multiple applications, especially with more recent and resource-intensive apps.
In terms of storage, the iPad Mini 3 was available in three capacities: 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The lack of a microSD card slot means that users need to choose their storage option carefully based on their needs, as it cannot be expanded later.
Software
At launch, the iPad Mini 3 ran iOS 8, which brought several new features and improvements over its predecessor. These included Continuity, allowing seamless integration with other Apple devices, and Family Sharing, which enabled shared purchases and content management among family members. It also introduced Apple Pay, leveraging the Touch ID sensor for secure payments.
One of the significant advantages of Apple devices is their long-term software support. The iPad Mini 3 received updates up to iOS 12, ensuring that users had access to the latest features and security improvements for several years.
The user experience on iOS is smooth and intuitive, with a wide range of high-quality apps available through the App Store. The integration of Touch ID provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the device and authenticate purchases.
However, as the iPad Mini 3 aged, it started to struggle with the demands of newer iOS versions and apps. Users might find the performance less satisfactory on iOS 12 compared to earlier versions, particularly with multitasking and more complex applications.
Camera
The iPad Mini 3 features a 5-megapixel iSight rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD front camera. While these cameras are not intended to replace a dedicated camera or smartphone, they are sufficient for casual photography and video calls.
The rear camera can capture decent photos in good lighting conditions, with accurate colors and adequate detail. However, the image quality drops significantly in low-light environments, with increased noise and reduced clarity. The camera app offers basic features such as HDR, panorama, and burst mode, providing some flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
The front-facing camera is suitable for video calls and selfies, though the image quality is limited by its lower resolution. It performs adequately for FaceTime and other video conferencing apps, but the results are generally less sharp and detailed compared to modern front-facing cameras.
The iPad Mini 3 can record 1080p HD video with the rear camera and 720p HD video with the front camera. The video quality is acceptable for casual recording, but it lacks the advanced features and stabilization found in newer devices.
Battery Life
The iPad Mini 3 is equipped with a 23.8-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, which Apple claims provides up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback on a single charge. In real-world usage, the battery life is quite impressive and can easily last a full day of moderate use.
Battery performance is influenced by factors such as screen brightness, app usage, and background processes. With light to moderate usage, including web browsing, reading, and occasional video watching, the iPad Mini 3 can last several days on a single charge.
However, more intensive tasks such as gaming or video streaming can drain the battery more quickly. The absence of fast charging means that recharging the tablet can take a few hours, which might be inconvenient for users who need a quick top-up.
Connectivity
The iPad Mini 3 offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band support, and MIMO technology for improved wireless performance. The tablet also supports Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting to peripherals such as keyboards, headphones, and speakers.
For users who need cellular connectivity, the Wi-Fi + Cellular model supports 4G LTE networks, providing fast internet access on the go. This model also includes GPS and GLONASS for location-based services.
The Lightning connector at the bottom of the device is used for charging and data transfer. While it provides fast and reliable connections, it lacks the versatility and convenience of the newer USB-C standard found in more recent Apple devices.
Audio
The audio experience on the iPad Mini 3 is delivered through a single speaker located at the bottom of the device. The speaker produces clear and reasonably loud sound, but it lacks the depth and richness found in devices with stereo speakers.
For a better audio experience, users can connect headphones or external speakers via the 3.5mm headphone jack. The tablet supports a wide range of audio formats and includes Apple’s Music app, which offers access to a vast library of songs and streaming options.
Value
When it was first released, the iPad Mini 3 was priced higher than many of its competitors in the compact tablet market. Its premium build quality, high-resolution display, and integration with the Apple ecosystem justified the price for many users.
However, the lack of significant hardware upgrades compared to the iPad Mini 2, coupled with the relatively high price, led to mixed reviews. The addition of Touch ID was a welcome feature, but it was not enough to make the iPad Mini 3 a standout upgrade.
For those considering a second-hand iPad Mini 3 today, it remains a functional device for basic tasks. However, its aging hardware and limited future software support make it less appealing compared to newer models or other budget-friendly tablets.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium Build Quality: The aluminum unibody design gives the iPad Mini 3 a sleek and high-quality feel.
- Retina Display: The high-resolution display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals.
- Touch ID: The fingerprint sensor provides convenient and secure authentication.
- Long Battery Life: The tablet can easily last a full day of moderate use.
- Apple Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services enhances the user experience.
Cons:
- Dated Hardware: The A7 chip and 1GB of RAM limit performance with more demanding apps and multitasking.
- Limited Storage Options: The lack of a microSD card slot means users must choose their storage capacity carefully.
- Average Cameras: The 5-megapixel rear camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera offer basic photography and video recording capabilities.
- Single Speaker: The audio experience is limited by the single bottom-firing speaker.
- Relatively High Price at Launch: The iPad Mini 3 was priced higher than many competing tablets with similar or better specifications.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad Mini 3 is a well-rounded compact tablet that offers a combination of premium design, high-resolution display, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. It caters to users looking for a portable device for basic tasks like web browsing, reading, and light media consumption. However, several factors affect its appeal, especially considering the advancements in technology since its release.
where can you get a Apple iPad mini 3 online
Apple MGNV2LL/A iPad mini 3, 7.9-Inch Retina Display 16GB, Wi-Fi, Silver: Buy it now
Apple iPad Mini 3 MGYE2LL/A NEWEST VERSION (16GB, Wi-Fi, Gold) (Certified Refurbished): Buy it now
Apple iPad mini 3 MGYE2LL/A 7.9-Inch Retina Display (16GB, Wi-Fi, Apple iOS 8) Gold: Buy it now
Apple iPad mini 3 MH3G2LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Gold) 2014 Model: Buy it now
Apple iPad Mini 3 MGGQ2LL/A NEWEST VERSION (64GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) (Certified Refurbished): Buy it now
