What are the "pros and cons" of the older Lightning-equipped iPad mini models? Is one for me?

Apple has discontinued all of these Lightning-equipped iPad mini models (the original iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and iPad mini 5). This Q&A has been updated with the latest on iOS compatibility and more and is quite useful for anyone buying one of these models on the used market.

Whether or not any of these older Lightning-equipped iPad mini models -- an original iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, or iPad mini 5 -- is the right tablet for you is a decision that only you can make. However, objective pros and cons can be quite helpful in the decision making process.

EveryiPad.com also provides detailed comparisons of the original iPad mini and iPad mini 2 (Retina), iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 and iPad mini 4, and iPad mini 4 and iPad mini 5 that can be useful should you be interested in a more in-depth evaluation.

Nevertheless, for those who prefer the just the "highlights" rather than complete details, this quick-to-read summary can be ideal:

Original iPad mini

Unique Pros:

• Least expensive iPad mini model.
• Respectable 4G/LTE support on the iPad mini (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) and iPad mini (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) configurations.
• Dual stream 802.11n Wi-Fi.
  

iPad mini 2

Unique Pros:

• Small, but high-resolution for its time (7.9-inch 2048x1536 at 326 ppi).
• Quite fast.
• The iPad Wi-Fi/Cellular (2nd Gen) provides practically global 4G/LTE coverage in a single device.
• Dual stream 802.11n Wi-Fi with MIMO support.
• 1 GB of RAM.
• 128 GB storage option for those who need significant local storage.
• Dual microphones for improved noise cancellation.

iPad mini 3

The iPad mini 3 has all the same pros of the iPad mini 2 but also adds the following.

Unique Pros:

• Touch ID.
• Gold color option.
• 64 GB and 128 GB storage options for those who need significant local storage.

iPad mini 4

The iPad mini 4 has all the same pros of its predecessors but also adds the following.

Unique Pros:

• Higher quality display with a 99% sRGB color gamut and a helpful antireflective coating.
• 2 GB of RAM.
• Much better rear camera.
• Faster Wi-Fi and more global cellular connectivity for the cellular-equipped model.

iPad mini 5

The iPad mini 5 -- or iPad mini 5th Generation -- has all of the same pros of its predecessors but also adds the following.

Unique Pros:

• Processor provides equal performance to a higher-end iPad model for the first time.
• Highest quality display yet with support for "wide color" (DCI-P3) "True Tone" to dynamically adjust color temperature and brightness.
• 3 GB of RAM.
• As much as 256 GB of storage.
• Even faster and more global cellular connectivity for the cellular-equipped model.
• Support for first generation Apple Pencil (A1603).

Pros (All iPad mini Models):

• Very small and portable with particularly attractive, high quality industrial design.
• Solid battery life.
• Dual cameras make video conferencing and video capture fairly easy.
• Stereo speakers.
• System-wide mirroring support.
• Mostly usable onscreen keyboard -- some users may find it better than a larger iPad because typing can be quick with two thumbs -- as well as support for an external keyboard.
• Originally sold unlocked and without a contract in the US, and most other countries, with multiple wireless carrier options.
• Smaller and lighter than larger iPad models.
• Inexpensive compared to notebook computers and many larger iPad models.

Original iPad mini

Unique Cons:

• Display is noticeably lower quality and lower resolution than any other iPad mini models. It is highly reflective, too.
• Significantly slower than the iPad mini 2 and subsequent models.
• Applicable models have limited 4G/LTE connectivity.
• No MIMO Wi-Fi support.
• 512 GB of RAM.
• Cannot run a recent version of the iPadOS; quite slow running iOS 9 and no support for iOS 10 or later versions.

iPad mini 2

Unique Cons:

• Although high-resolution, the display is lower quality than the iPad Air models and the iPad mini 4. It has a glossy finish, also.
• Slower than the iPad Air models and iPad mini 4.
• Cannot run a recent version of the iPadOS; maximum of iOS 12.x.

iPad mini 3

The iPad mini 3 has the same disadvantages of the iPad mini 2 (most notably, no support for the current version of the iPadOS), but also was a poor value at the time of its introduction. As a used model, it may be a better deal.

iPad mini 4

The most notable con unique to the iPad mini 4 is that it was slower than the discontinued original iPad Air and iPad Air 2 as well as the iPad 5th Gen. It also cannot run the current version of the iPadOS; maximum of iPadOS 15. It shares the general cons below, though.

iPad mini 5

When it was introduced, the only significant cons unique to the iPad mini 5 is that its industrial design seemed rather dated compared to the much more expensive iPad Pro line, it only supports the original Apple Pencil instead of the much better Apple Pencil 2, and it supports Lightning instead of the more current USB-C. It shares the general cons below, as well.

 

Cons (All iPad mini Models):

• Storage capacity cannot be upgraded and can be inadequate, particularly on lower capacity models, given increasingly large file sizes to display images and other content optimized for high-resolution displays.
• Onscreen keyboard can be cramped for two handed typing and many users -- those who do not use two thumbs, in particular -- may find it slower to type on than larger iPad devices, accordingly.
• No SD card slot.
• Lightning connector is not backwards compatible with the earlier Dock Connector nor forwards compatible with USB-C.
• No bundled headphones (a particularly miserly omission given the price of these devices).
• The battery is not intended to be replaced and self-replacement is quite difficult.
• Relatively expensive compared to other small tablets as well as some notebooks and the iPod touch.

So, which of these older iPad mini models is right for me?

Ultimately, all of these tablets provide compact size and attractive designs.

At this point, they are all showing their age and most users would be better off with a newer model, but the iPad mini 5, in particular, still has plenty of life left.

Just comparing these models, and ignoring later ones, the iPad mini 5 is the best choice for most users. It has (1) the best quality display, (2) is fastest, (3) has more RAM which means not only higher performance now but almost certainly longer iOS support, as well (this has proven correct at this point), (4) has the most global 4G/LTE connectivity, and (5) supports the original Apple Pencil.

For those interested in saving some money, the iPad mini 4 remains a decent choice on the used market. These models also have high quality displays, just not as high quality as the iPad mini 5, as well as respectable performance, solid connectivity options, and operating system support up to iPadOS 15 (but not the current iPadOS). The iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3 still are worth considering if you are on the tightest of budgets and have minimal usage requirements, but because they no longer support a recent version of the iOS, not all modern apps will work and support will continue to wane from here.

The original iPad mini only would work for someone with very modest performance and app needs. Because the original iPad mini is quite slow running iOS 9 and cannot run iOS 10 and later versions of the iOS at all, almost everyone would be better off with a newer model.

iPad mini Purchase & Sale Options

There are many sites to buy a new or used iPad mini. However, buying your iPad from a good company with solid knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad mini models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad mini models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad mini models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.