Discussed as a footnote in the iPad Pro announcement, Apple also significantly upgraded the internals of the iPad mini, making the iPad mini 4. The new model not only is thinner and lighter, but it also contains better performing internal components, including a newer processor, and better camera.
The new iPad mini 4 users the A8 processor (not the A8X in the iPad Air 2, as other venues are erroneously reporting) with the M8 motion coprocessor, allowing it to utilize some features of iOS 9 not otherwise available to the mini line. Also along for the ride are a Touch ID sensor, and an 8MP rear camera. Boosting performance in conjunction with the A8 processor is 1GB of RAM.
The new iPad mini is 6.1mm (0.24 inches) thick, the same as the iPad Air 2. It weighs 0.65 pounds. The FaceTime camera remains at 1.2MP. Wi-Fi has been upgraded to 802.11ac.
Pricing begins at $399 for the iPad mini 4 with 16GB of RAM. Models with 64GB are available for $499, with the 128GB version starting at $600. LTE versions are available as well. The iPad mini 3 has been completely removed from the lineup, as has the original iPad mini.
