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Take a closer look at the iPad Mini 3 (pictures)

The latest version of the iPad Mini has arrived: let's take a closer look.

Tim Stevens
Tim Stevens got his start writing professionally while still in school in the mid '90s, and since then has covered topics ranging from business process management to video game development to automotive technology.
Tim Stevens
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1 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

The Apple iPad Mini 3

If you think the Apple iPad Mini 3 looks rather familiar, you're not wrong: the updated tablet bears the same size and specifications as its predecessor. The tablet is available now, and starts at $399 / £319 / AU$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model.

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2 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

A familiar face

The iPad Mini 3 offers the same 7.9-inch, 2048 by 1,536-pixel resolution display as its predecessor. They're both 0.29-inch thick, and both run on the same A7 CPU.

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3 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

The iPad Mini 3 also didn't receive any of the new hardware fixings afforded to the new iPad Air 2, including the new A8X CPU and M8 coprocessor.

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4 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

No new camera

The Apple iPad Air 2 also packs a new and improved 8-megapixel camera, while the iPad Air Mini 3 is equipped with the same 5-megapixel shooter as its predecessor.

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5 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Touch ID

In fact, the substantive difference between the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Mini is the Touch ID sensor, which will in part allow you to use Apple Pay to make in-app purchases. The newer tablet is also about $100 more expensive.

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6 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

While both the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3 can now support Apple Pay-based in-app purchases, neither device has the NFC hardware required to pay for purchases at retailers.

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7 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Now in gold

Here's something new: the iPad Mini 3 is now available in a gold color option.

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8 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Who's it for?

The iPad Mini 3 should be a good fit for anyone who really, really wants the Touch ID experience on a smaller iPad. But that's about it: the older iPad Mini 2 does everything this new device does, for $100 less.

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