iPad mini A7 2014

The iPad mini 3 series, including this Wi-Fi-only A1599 model, shares many characteristics with the preceding iPad mini 2. However, it introduces a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor and offers a white and gold housing option in addition to the classic white and silver, and black and space gray finishes. These models also carry a variety of distinct identifiers.

The iPad mini 3 models are built with a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 (326 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive display. They are powered by a dual-core 1.3 GHz Apple A7 processor, feature 1 GB of RAM, and come with flash storage options of 16 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB.

Other significant specifications include a dual-camera system: a rear-mounted 5-megapixel "iSight" camera that records stills and 1080p video, and a front-mounted 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. The device also supports dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi with MIMO and Bluetooth 4.0, complemented by dual microphones and speakers. The Lightning port serves for both computer connectivity, if needed, and charging.

The battery for this iPad mini 3 model is rated for up to 10 hours of use, such as "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music."

This specific Wi-Fi Only model (A1599) does not include support for 4G LTE connectivity or A-GPS.

The iPad mini 3 was viewed as a minor update to its predecessor. While it retained the same powerful A7 chip and the stunning Retina display that users had come to appreciate, the main new feature was the inclusion of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. This addition offered an enhanced level of security and convenience for unlocking the device and making purchases. The design remained thin, light, and easy to hold, making it a portable option for a variety of tasks. However, many reviewers felt that the addition of Touch ID and a new gold color option were not significant enough upgrades to justify the price difference compared to the still-available iPad mini 2, which offered nearly identical internal specifications. The performance was solid for everyday use, and the dual cameras, while not top-of-the-line, were capable for photos and video calls. The battery life was consistently reported to provide up to 10 hours of use on Wi-Fi, which was a strong point for the device. Ultimately, it was considered a beautiful and capable tablet, but one that was overshadowed by the better value proposition of its direct predecessor.