Let's be honest. Buying tech is usually about the "newest" and "fastest." But then there’s the iPad mini 4. It’s this weird, thin sliver of aluminum that feels like it shouldn't still be relevant in 2026.
Yet, here we are.
If you go on eBay or look through your junk drawer, you’ll find them. They’re everywhere. It’s the tablet that refused to die, mostly because Apple built it during a peak "over-engineering" phase. It was the first mini to actually feel like a real computer in your pocket, unlike the mini 3 which was basically just a mini 2 with a fingerprint sensor.
The Reality of the iPad mini 4 in 2026
You’ve probably heard it’s "obsolete."
Technically? Yeah, kinda. Apple officially cut off the major iPadOS updates for the iPad mini 4 back at version 15.8.5. If you’re looking for the fancy new windowing systems or the AI-driven "Liquid Glass" effects of iPadOS 26, you aren't going to find them here. This tablet is stuck in a time capsule.
But does that actually matter for what most people do?
Not really. If you want to read a Kindle book, the 326 ppi Retina display is still sharper than almost any mid-range Android tablet you can buy today. Text looks like printed ink. It’s 2048-by-1536 resolution packed into a 7.9-inch screen. That math still checks out. It's beautiful.
Why the hardware still feels premium
Holding one is a trip. It’s 6.1mm thin. That’s thinner than some modern iPhones. At about 299 grams, you can hold it with two fingers for an hour without your wrist screaming at you.
The lamination is the real hero here.
Older tablets had an air gap between the glass and the LCD. It felt like you were touching a window to look at a screen. The iPad mini 4 was the first small Apple tablet to fuse them. When you tap an icon, it feels like you're touching the actual pixels. Even in 2026, that makes a difference in how "expensive" a device feels.
What actually breaks (and what doesn't)
Hardware is rarely the problem with these things.
The A8 chip is the bottleneck. It’s a dual-core processor from the iPhone 6 era. It’s old. Like, "remember when Vine was a thing?" old. If you try to open 20 tabs in Safari, the 2GB of RAM will start sweating. You’ll see the keyboard lag. You’ll see apps reload.
The Battery Situation:
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- Most of these units have been through hundreds of charge cycles.
- Expect maybe 4–5 hours of actual use, not the 10 hours Apple promised in 2015.
- If it’s been sitting in a drawer, the lithium-ion might have degraded to the point of "service recommended."
But the build? The aluminum doesn't creak. The Touch ID sensor is still faster than typing a passcode. It’s a tank in a tuxedo.
The App Store "Wall"
This is the part nobody talks about until they buy one.
As of 2026, many major apps—YouTube, Netflix, Disney+—require at least iPadOS 16 or 17 to download the latest version. If you have an iPad mini 4, you’ll often get a pop-up saying: "Download an older version of this app?"
Usually, you click yes and it works fine.
But some apps just won't run. Banking apps are the biggest culprit. They want the latest security patches. If you’re planning to use this for high-security stuff or the latest Genshin Impact update, just stop. Don't do it. You'll be miserable.
iPad mini 4 vs. The Newer Kids
Apple just released the latest mini with the A17 Pro (or maybe even the rumored OLED 2026 model depending on which leak you believe).
Is the iPad mini 4 a "pro" machine? No.
But it’s the perfect "sacrificial" tablet. It’s the one you give to a kid so they don't break your $800 iPad Pro. It’s the one you Velcro to the wall to control your smart home lights. It’s the dedicated distraction-free writing tool.
| Feature | iPad mini 4 (2015) | iPad mini (Latest) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 299g | ~293g |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Screen | 7.9" (Laminated) | 8.3" (Liquid Retina) |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (Home Button) | Touch ID (Top Button) |
| Software | Maxed at iPadOS 15 | iPadOS 26+ |
Should you actually buy one now?
Honestly, only if it's dirt cheap.
We’re talking under $60. Anything more than that and you should probably look for a used iPad mini 5, which has the A12 chip and supports the newer software. The iPad mini 4 is a legacy device. It's for people who want a digital notepad, a comic book reader, or a way to watch downloaded movies on a plane.
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It’s great for those things.
It’s terrible for "multitasking." If you try to use Split View with two heavy apps, the frame rate will drop through the floor. It’s a single-task device now. One thing at a time. Slow down. Breath.
Actionable Steps for Owners
If you’ve got one sitting around, don't throw it away. Here is how to make it feel "new" again:
- Factory Reset: Wipe it clean. Don't restore from a backup; it brings too much junk.
- Disable Background Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn it OFF. It saves the A8 chip from choking.
- Reduce Motion: Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion. It makes the UI feel snappier because it skips the animations.
- Dedicated Use Case: Pick one job for it. Make it your "Cooking Tablet" or your "Bedtime Reader."
The iPad mini 4 is a classic. It’s not a powerhouse anymore, but in a world of giant, heavy slabs, its portability is still unmatched. Just don't expect it to run the world.