iPad mini A7 2014

This specific iPad mini 3 model (A1601) was exclusively sold in mainland China for use on the China Mobile network. It differs from the global cellular iPad mini 3 (A1600) by supporting TD-SCDMA (1900 (F), 2000 (A)) and TD-LTE (bands 38, 39, and 40), while lacking support for CDMA Rev. B and the broader range of LTE bands available on the global version.

Like other models in the series, this China-only iPad mini 3 (A1601) is very similar to the earlier iPad mini 2, but adds a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor and a new white and gold housing option alongside the standard white/silver and black/space gray. It also has its own set of identifiers.

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

Key features include dual cameras—a rear-mounted 5-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p video, and a front-mounted 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. It also has dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi with MIMO, Bluetooth 4.0, dual microphones, and speakers. The Lightning port handles charging and computer connectivity.

Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours for "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music," or nine hours when using cellular data.

This China-specific variant of the iPad mini 3, model A1601, was assessed primarily on its tailored cellular capabilities for the Chinese market, particularly for China Mobile. In most respects, its evaluation mirrored that of the global cellular model. It featured the same 7.9-inch Retina display, the capable A7 chip, and 1GB of RAM, ensuring identical performance for apps and media consumption. The addition of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor was the key differentiator from the iPad mini 2, offering enhanced security. The camera system, with a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front camera, remained unchanged and was considered adequate for a tablet. The primary distinction was its support for TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE bands, crucial for China Mobile's network, while omitting support for some LTE bands used by global carriers. Like its global counterparts, it was criticized for being a minor iteration. The core hardware was largely identical to the previous year's model, making it a difficult recommendation over the more affordable iPad mini 2 unless Touch ID or the specific cellular bands were a necessity for the user.