iPad · Retina & Beyond · 2014
iPad mini 3
The most minor iPad update ever: it bolted Touch ID and a gold option onto the mini 2 and called it new.
Added Touch ID to the mini, and little else.
iPad mini 4 (2015)
iPad mini 3: key facts
When was the iPad mini 3 released?
The iPad mini 3 arrived on October 22, 2014. Apple discontinued it in September 2015.
How much did the iPad mini 3 cost?
The iPad mini 3 launched at $399 in 2014, about $540 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A7 at 1.30 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, 7.9" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 display.
Why does the iPad mini 3 matter?
Added Touch ID to the mini, and little else.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A7 · 1.30 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 1 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB |
| Display | 7.9" Retina IPS, 2048×1536 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 331 g |
| Dimensions | 200×134.7×7.5 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 8.1 |
| Released | October 22, 2014 |
| Discontinued | September 2015 |
| Launch price | $399 |
How the iPad mini 3 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 16× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.30 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.5× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 4,100 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $399 in 2014, about $540 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Reviewers openly told buyers to get the cheaper mini 2 instead.
Related iPad models
Open the iPad mini 3 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11