iPad Mini 3 [Official] iPad mini 3 Announced

[geeteam]

Apple has just taken the wraps off the iPad mini 3, and whilst the smaller of Apple’s tablets hasn’t been given all that much attention during the build-up to today’s events, we can now sit back and assess some of the many new features that have been bundled into this refresh. There is, as also suspected, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and with a number of other quirks to be enjoyed, we’ve got the full run-down after the leap.

Touch ID

Following the successful roll-out of Touch ID sensor with last year’s iPhone 5s and the follow-up iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple has decided to broaden the fingerprint sensor’s reach to the tablet side of the iOS family. Users will not only be able to use Touch ID for lock screen security, but with Apple having allowed third parties to integrate the still-fledgling hardware into their apps, iPad mini 3 users will enjoy largely the same functionality as those on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Apple Pay online payments authentication via Touch ID are also supported.

Profile

There will come a time when the iPad mini cannot physically get any thinner, but as you might imagine, that time is not now. And in true Apple fashion, the new iPad mini is slightly thinner than before and weighs slightly less, too.

Processor

This time last year, Apple’s iPad mini with Retina Display launched with a variant of the A7 processor and M7 motion coprocessor found in the iPhone 5s the month earlier, and while the Cupertino company has deviated from tradition on more than one occasion over the past couple of months, the third-gen iPad mini delivers little by way of surprise in this regard. As suggested umpteen times, owners of the iPad mini 3 will be getting an Apple A8X flanked by the new M8 coprocessor.

Display

Although Apple made a justified song and dance about the so-called Retina HD displays of its new iPhones last month, the iPad mini 3 misses out on such grandiose improvements. With that said, the 2048 x 1536 resolution of the new smaller slate – identical to the original Retina iPad mini – is not to be baulked at, and you’ll still be able to enjoy your favorite games, apps, and general iOS 8 experience in crisp, clear quality.

Camera

The iPad mini 3 includes an 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, while the front facing FaceTime HD camera also gets several new benefits such as a lens with a wider aperture.

Storage

The iPad mini 3 will launch with 16, 64 and 128GB storage options.

Price

The pricing structure of the new iPad mini 3 is as follows:

iPad mini 3 – 16GB Wi-Fi: $399
iPad mini 3 – 64GB Wi-Fi: $499
iPad mini 3 – 128GB Wi-Fi: $599
iPad mini 3 – 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $529
iPad mini 3 – 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $629
iPad mini 3 – 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $729

Release Date

Pre-orders begin on October 17. The iPad mini 3 will launch next week on Friday, October 24th in the United States, United Kingdom, and several other nations before gradually rolling out to other markets thereafter.

Source