iPad mini A8 2015

Informally dubbed by Apple as a smaller iPad Air 2, the iPad mini 4 models pack comparable, though not identical, components into a more compact form factor.

Both the Wi-Fi only model and its Cellular-enabled counterpart in the iPad mini 4 series are equipped with a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 (326 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive display featuring an antireflective coating. They are powered by a dual-core 1.5 GHz Apple A8 processor, have 2 GB of RAM, and offer storage options of 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB. The devices are available in three housing colors: silver with a white front, gold with a white front, and a medium-toned "space" gray with a black front.

Other key features include a dual-camera system: a rear-mounted 8-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p video, and a front-mounted 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. They also support dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2, along with dual microphones and speakers. A Lightning port provides power and computer connectivity.

The battery life for this iPad mini 4 is stated to be up to 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music."

This specific Wi-Fi Only model (A1538) lacks support for 4G LTE connectivity and A-GPS.

The iPad mini 4 was widely regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, essentially a smaller version of the powerful iPad Air 2. Its most praised feature was the redesigned, thinner, and lighter chassis, which made it even more portable and comfortable to hold. The display quality saw a major upgrade; it was now fully laminated, which reduced internal reflections and made content appear closer to the surface, and it featured an anti-reflective coating that significantly improved usability in bright light. The A8 processor and 2GB of RAM provided a noticeable boost in performance, making multitasking smoother and apps more responsive compared to the iPad mini 3. The rear camera was upgraded to 8 megapixels, resulting in more detailed photos. While it lacked some of the advanced features of the larger iPad Pro models, like Apple Pencil support at the time of its release, it was celebrated as the best compact tablet available. Critics agreed that the combination of its beautiful display, powerful performance, and sleek design made it a compelling choice for those who prioritized portability without wanting to compromise too much on capability. It was the substantial update that users had been hoping for after the incremental change of the mini 3.