iPad mini A8 2015

Described informally by Apple as a compact iPad Air 2, the iPad mini 4 models contain similar, but not identical, hardware in a smaller package.

Both versions of the iPad mini 4, this Cellular-equipped model and its Wi-Fi only counterpart, include a 7.9-inch 2048x1536 (326 ppi) LED-backlit IPS touch-sensitive display with an antireflective coating. They are driven by a dual-core 1.5 GHz Apple A8 processor, have 2 GB of RAM, and were offered with 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB of storage. Color choices include silver with a white front, gold with a white front, and "space" gray with a black front.

Other significant features are the dual cameras—a rear 8-megapixel "iSight" camera for stills and 1080p video, and a front 1.2-megapixel "FaceTime HD" camera for stills and 720p video. Connectivity options include dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with HT80 with MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2, plus dual microphones and speakers. The Lightning port is used for computer connection and charging.

This iPad mini 4 model's battery is rated for up to 10 hours of "surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music," or nine hours of web surfing via cellular data.

This Wi-Fi/Cellular iPad mini 4 (A1550) supports A-GPS, GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, CDMA EV-DO, and most importantly, LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41. In the U.S., it is designed for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks and includes an "Apple SIM" for easy switching between AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. However, AT&T's policy of locking the Apple SIM upon activation undermines its purpose, and Verizon does not participate in the program. In the UK, Apple also includes an Apple SIM. In other regions, a standard carrier nano SIM is required.

The cellular version of the iPad mini 4 received acclaim for packing all the significant improvements of the Wi-Fi model into a device with go-anywhere connectivity. It was praised for its thinner, lighter design and, most notably, its fully laminated, anti-reflective display, which was a vast improvement over the previous generation, offering better color and clarity, especially outdoors. The performance leap, thanks to the A8 chip and 2GB of RAM, was significant, enabling smoother multitasking and a more fluid user experience that rivaled the larger iPad Air 2. The upgraded 8-megapixel rear camera was a welcome addition, producing sharper and more vibrant images. For users who required a constant internet connection, the A1550 model's support for a wide array of LTE bands, including the convenient Apple SIM in certain regions, made it a highly versatile and powerful compact tablet. While it didn't have all the pro-level features of its larger siblings, it was hailed as the definitive small tablet of its time, perfectly balancing a premium experience with ultimate portability. It successfully addressed the shortcomings of the iPad mini 3, making it a worthy upgrade for anyone needing a compact yet capable cellular tablet.