Apple iPad Mini 4 lives on

The littlest iPad hasn't seen a major update since the Mini 4 launched in 2015, and things are looking grim.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice

Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.

Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

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Joshua Goldman

March 27, 2018 11:00 a.m. PT

The 7.9-inch iPad Mini 4 vs. the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2
Sarah Tew/CNET

In March 2017, Apple limited its thinnest and lightest iPad, the Mini 4, to a single configuration with 128GB of storage, costing $399 for the Wi-Fi model and $529 for the Wi-Fi and cellular edition. (See international pricing below.)

Today, Apple announced its newest 9.7-inch iPad with support for Apple's Pencil stylus and powered by a fast A10 Fusion chip for $329 (£319 in the UK, AU$469 in Australia) with 32GB of storage. By comparison, the Mini 4, announced originally in September 2015, is woefully outdated and expensive. And yet, Apple is keeping it in the iPad lineup -- for now.

Comparative specs

	Starts at	Display	Processors	Memory	Back camera	FaceTime camera
iPad (2018) 9.7 in	$329, £319, AU$469	265 ppi	A10 Fusion	32GB, 128GB	8MP, 1080p video	1.2MP, 720p video
iPad Mini 4 (7.9 in)	$399, £419, AU$579	326 ppi	A8, M8	128GB	8MP, 1080p video	1.2MP, 720p video
iPad Pro 10.5 in	$649, £619, AU$979	264 ppi, P3 gamut	A10X, M10	64GB, 256GB, 512GB	12MP, 4K video	7MP, 1080p video
iPad Pro 12.9 in	$799, £769, AU$1,199	264 ppi, P3 gamut	A10X, M10	64GB, 256GB, 512GB	12MP, 4K video	7MP, 1080p video

The relevance of 7.9-inch iPad Mini -- at any price -- appeared to be waning by 2016 and definitely by 2017. Unlike the 9.7-inch iPads or larger Pro models, the Mini was never great for getting work done. It's best as an e-reader or for entertainment, especially the current Mini 4 and its large 128GB capacity. But Apple's own 5.5-inch iPhone Plus along with other big-screen phones and cheaper iPad alternatives with expandable storage make more sense at this point.