Apple iPad mini 3 vs iPad mini (2021): A Detailed Comparison

The iPad mini has always been a beloved compact tablet, offering a powerful experience in a pocketable form factor. But with the release of the iPad mini (2021), the question arises: is the upgrade worth it, or is the older iPad mini 3 still a viable option? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster A15 Bionic chip, a brighter and higher contrast display, and improved battery life. While the iPad mini 3 remains a functional device, the 2021 model offers a vastly superior user experience and future-proofing.

PHONES
Phone Names	Apple iPad mini 3	Apple iPad mini (2021)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 - A1600	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps - cellular model only	HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1601	-

Launch
Announced	2014, October. Released 2014, October	2021, September 14
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2021, September 24

Body
Build	-	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm (7.87 x 5.30 x 0.30 in)	195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)	Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight	331 g (Wi-Fi) / 341 g (3G/LTE) (11.68 oz)	293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz)
	-	Stylus support (2nd gen only)

Display
Protection	Oleophobic coating	Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution	1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density)	1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density)
Size	7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio)	8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based)	Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz)
Chipset	Apple A7 (28 nm)	Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPU	PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics)	Apple GPU (5-core)
OS	iOS 8.1, upgradable to iPadOS 12.5.7	iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	HDR	Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP, f/2.4, 32mm (standard), AF	12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular	HDR
Single	1.2 MP	12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP, EDR	5.0, A2DP
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
Radio	No	No
USB	Lightning, USB 2.0	USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer

Battery
Talk time	Up to 10 h (multimedia)	-
Type	Li-Po 6470 mAh, non-removable (24.3 Wh)	Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Space Gray/Black, Silver/White, Gold	Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight
Models	A1599, A1600, iPad4,7, iPad4,8, iPad4,9	A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2
Price	About 400 EUR	About 550 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 812 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 70dB	-29.7 LUFS (Average)
Performance	Basemark X: 14781	-

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 812 (nominal)	1325:1 contrast ratio, 518 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker	Voice 65dB / Noise 63dB / Ring 70dB	-29.7 LUFS (Average)
Performance	Basemark X: 14781	-

Apple iPad mini 3

Compact and portable
Affordable (used)
Functional for basic tasks

Outdated processor
Dim display
Limited app compatibility
No Apple Pencil support

Apple iPad mini (2021)

Powerful A15 Bionic chip
Bright and vibrant display
Improved battery life
Supports Apple Pencil 2
Modern design

Higher price point
Can be difficult to find new

Display Comparison

The iPad mini (2021) features a significantly improved display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and 518 nits of brightness, compared to the iPad mini 3's 812:1 contrast ratio. This translates to richer colors, deeper blacks, and better visibility in bright environments. The 2021 model also supports Apple Pencil 2, adding to its versatility.

Camera Comparison

While both devices offer photo and video capabilities, the iPad mini (2021) generally provides better image quality due to advancements in Apple's image processing. Specific camera specs are not readily available for the iPad mini 3, but the 2021 model benefits from newer sensor technology.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini (2021) is a generational leap over the A7 in the iPad mini 3. Expect dramatically faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly improved gaming performance. The 2021 model's hexa-core CPU provides a substantial performance boost.

Battery Life

The iPad mini (2021) offers improved battery life compared to the iPad mini 3, thanks to the efficiency of the A15 Bionic chip. While both offer all-day battery life under moderate usage, the 2021 model provides a more consistent experience.

Buying Guide

Who should buy Apple iPad mini 3? Those on a very tight budget who primarily need basic tablet functionality like web browsing and light media consumption. Who should buy Apple iPad mini (2021)? Anyone seeking a powerful, modern, and compact tablet for gaming, creative tasks, or general productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPad mini 3 still worth buying?

Only if you're on a very tight budget and primarily need basic tablet functionality. Otherwise, the iPad mini (2021) offers a much better experience.

❓ Does the iPad mini (2021) support Apple Pencil?

Yes, the iPad mini (2021) supports Apple Pencil 2, offering a seamless and responsive writing and drawing experience.

❓ What is the biggest difference between the two models?

The biggest difference is the processor. The iPad mini (2021) has the A15 Bionic, which is significantly faster and more efficient than the A7 in the iPad mini 3.