iPad Mini 4

iPad Mini 4
Name	iPad Mini 4
Caption	Space Gray iPad Mini 4
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Family	iPad Mini
Type	Tablet computer
Generation	4th
Releasedate	September 9, 2015
Price	Starting at $399
Os	iOS 9, upgradable to iPadOS 15
Power	Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Soc	Apple A8 with Apple M8 motion coprocessor
Cpu	1.5 GHz dual-core 64-bit ARMv8-A "Typhoon"
Memory	2 GB LPDDR3
Storage	16, 64, or 128 GB flash memory
Display	7.9-inch (diagonal) Retina Display with IPS panel
Graphics	PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core)
Sound	Stereo speakers
Input	Multi-touch screen, Touch ID, Three-axis gyroscope, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor
Camera	Front: 1.2 MP, 720p HD; Rear: 8 MP, 1080p HD
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.2, Lightning
Dimensions	203.2 mm × 134.8 mm × 6.1 mm
Weight	Wi-Fi: 298.8 g; Wi-Fi + Cellular: 304 g
Predecessor	iPad Mini 3
Successor	iPad Mini (5th generation)
Related	iPad Air 2, iPhone 6
Website	https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini-4/

iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 is a tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on September 9, 2015, alongside the iPhone 6s, and served as a significant refinement of the iPad Mini line. The device featured a thinner, lighter design and incorporated several hardware improvements from the previous year's iPad Air 2, positioning it as a premium compact tablet.

Overview

The iPad Mini 4 was introduced during a September 2015 event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. It effectively replaced the iPad Mini 3, which had a brief and minor update cycle. Marketed as "the ultimate iPad Mini," it brought the smaller form factor much closer in capability to its larger contemporary, the iPad Air 2. This model was sold for several years, remaining in Apple's lineup until the launch of the iPad Mini (5th generation) in 2019, making it one of the longest-serving iPad models.

Specifications

At its core, the iPad Mini 4 utilized the Apple A8 system-on-a-chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 6. This 64-bit chip was paired with 2 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, a first for the iPad Mini series, which improved multitasking performance. Storage options included 16, 64, and 128 GB of flash memory, with no expansion via SD card. The device featured an 8-megapixel iSight rear camera capable of recording 1080p HD video and a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD front camera. Wireless connectivity was provided by dual-band Wi-Fi supporting IEEE 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2.

Design and features

The design was a major departure from the iPad Mini 3, with Apple achieving a thickness of just 6.1 millimeters, making it 18% thinner than its predecessor. It incorporated a fully laminated display, an anti-reflective coating, and eliminated the air gap, technologies inherited from the iPad Air 2. The device included a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the Home button for secure authentication and Apple Pay authorizations. It also featured stereo speakers tuned by Beats Electronics and was available in finishes of Space Gray, Silver, and Gold.

Software

The iPad Mini 4 shipped with iOS 9, which introduced features like Slide Over and Picture in Picture for improved multitasking. It received multiple major software updates, culminating with support for iPadOS 15, released in 2021. This final update brought features such as Home Screen widgets, the App Library, and enhanced Notes functionality. Its software support lifespan was notable, providing over six years of updates from Apple.

Reception

Reviewers from publications like The Verge and TechCrunch praised the iPad Mini 4 for its refined design, excellent screen, and performance bump, calling it the iPad Mini that should have followed the iPad Mini 2. Critics noted its premium price compared to the still-available iPad Mini 2 and the fact that its Apple A8 chip was already a year old at launch. The device was generally seen as a compelling option for users seeking a high-quality, portable tablet, earning positive reviews from CNET and Engadget.

Comparison with other models

Compared to the iPad Mini 3, the fourth-generation model was a comprehensive upgrade in design, display, and performance, making the predecessor obsolete. It shared many specifications with the iPad Air 2, including the laminated display and 2 GB of RAM, but in a smaller form factor with a slightly underclocked processor. When the iPad Pro (9.7-inch) launched, the iPad Mini 4 lacked features like True Tone display and a wider DCI-P3 color gamut. Its eventual successor, the iPad Mini (5th generation)],] retained a similar design but featured a much more powerful Apple A12 Bionic chip.

Category:iPad Mini Category:Tablet computers Category:Products introduced in 2015 Category:Apple Inc. hardware