The iPad Mini 4, released back in September 2015, was a compact powerhouse when it first hit the market. With a thin profile, Retina display, and support for iOS updates over the years, it became a fan-favorite among students, travelers, and digital minimalists.
But in 2025, with the tech world constantly evolving, you might wonder: Is the iPad Mini 4 still a viable choice?
In this detailed review, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the iPad Mini 4, its features, current relevance, and whether it’s a good investment today—whether for reading, browsing, education, or light entertainment.
🔍 iPad Mini 4 Overview: A Look Back
The iPad Mini 4 was a notable leap from its predecessor, featuring:
- A 7.9-inch Retina display (2048 x 1536 resolution)
- Apple A8 chip with 64-bit architecture
- 2GB RAM and up to 128GB storage
- iOS 9 at launch (upgradable to iPadOS 15.7.6)
- 8MP rear camera and 1.2MP front camera
- Touch ID for secure authentication
🔗 View Apple’s original iPad Mini 4 specs
Even after almost a decade, it still holds its own as a compact media and browsing device.
💡 Key Features That Still Make iPad Mini 4 Useful
Despite its age, the iPad Mini 4 still offers several advantages:
1. Perfect Portability
At just 6.1 mm thick and weighing only 298.8 grams, it’s ideal for travel, note-taking, or reading on the go.
2. Beautiful Display
Its Retina screen delivers crisp text and sharp images—great for eBooks, Netflix, or light photo editing.
3. Smooth Performance for Basic Tasks
While it won’t run the latest 3D games, it handles everyday apps like Safari, Kindle, YouTube, and email with ease.
4. Still Supported by Many Apps
Thanks to iPadOS 15 support, the iPad Mini 4 still runs thousands of popular apps from the App Store.
🔗 Check compatible apps for iPad 15
📉 Limitations of the iPad Mini 4 in 2025
If you’re considering using the iPad Mini 4 as your primary device, it’s important to be aware of its constraints:
- No Longer Receiving iPadOS Updates (Latest: 15.7.6)
- Not Compatible with Apple Pencil
- Slower Performance compared to modern A14+ chip iPads
- Limited Multitasking support (Split View is basic)
⚙️ What Can You Still Use the iPad Mini 4 For?
Many users are repurposing their older iPads rather than discarding them. Here’s what you can still do effectively:
✅ Read eBooks and PDFs (Apple Books, Kindle, Adobe Reader)
✅ Watch Videos (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video)
✅ Stream Music (Spotify, Apple Music)
✅ Use Productivity Apps (Notion, Evernote, Google Docs)
✅ Home Automation (Use as a smart home controller with HomeKit)
🔗 Best iPad apps for productivity
🔧 How to Optimize iPad Mini 4 in 2025
If you already own one, here’s how you can get the most out of it:
🔄 Perform a Fresh Reset
Restore and set up as new to clean out old data.
🚫 Disable Background App Refresh
Improve battery and speed by disabling it under Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
🌙 Use Low Power Mode
Enable under Settings > Battery for better battery health.
📦 Declutter Storage
Remove unused apps and clear Safari cache regularly.
🔗 Apple guide to optimize storage
🆚 iPad Mini 4 vs Newer iPads in 2025
Here’s a quick comparison between iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Mini 6 (2021) which is still available on Apple’s official store.
Feature iPad Mini 4 iPad Mini 6
Display 7.9″ Retina 8.3″ Liquid Retina
Chip A8 A15 Bionic
Apple Pencil Not Supported Supports Pencil 2nd Gen
USB Port Lightning USB-C
Price (Used vs New) ₹10,000–₹16,000 ₹48,900+
🔗 Buy iPad Mini 6 on Apple India
If budget allows, upgrading is worth it for those needing more performance or Pencil support.
🛒 Should You Buy iPad Mini 4 in 2025?
✅ Buy It If You Want:
- A secondary device for travel or eBooks
- A budget-friendly tablet under ₹15,000
- A simple media and reading machine
- Lightweight browsing and productivity
❌ Avoid It If You Need:
- Latest iPadOS features
- Pro-level multitasking
- Gaming or creative workflows
- Apple Pencil compatibility
🔁 Best Use-Cases for a Refurbished iPad Mini 4
Looking to give your iPad Mini 4 a second life?
- Smart Home Controller
- Use it with Apple HomeKit or Alexa dashboard.
- Kitchen iPad
- Display recipes or stream cooking tutorials.
- Kid’s Learning Tablet
- Load it with parental controls and educational apps.
- E-Reader
- A great alternative to Kindle with added features.
💸 Where to Buy or Sell iPad Mini 4 in 2025?
Buy (Refurbished):
Sell or Trade-in:
👀 Real-User Review Roundup
“I use mine for reading and occasional YouTube. Still works perfectly fine!”
– Arjun, Student, Mumbai
“Great for controlling music in the house. Not good for gaming, though.”
– Tanya, Freelancer, Bangalore
“Bought one for my kids. No regrets—it does everything they need.”
– Rohit, Parent, Pune
✅ Final Verdict: Is iPad Mini 4 Worth It in 2025?
If your expectations are realistic and you need a secondary device, the iPad Mini 4 is still surprisingly useful in 2025. It won’t win any performance races, but for reading, watching, and basic productivity, it’s a compact champ.
However, if you’re buying new and can spend a bit more, the iPad Mini 6 or even the iPad 9th Gen offer significantly better long-term value and app compatibility.
