Apple iPad Mini 3 Unveiled Featuring Touch ID and Retina Display

Following a flurry of rumors and speculations, Apple on Thursday launched the third-generation iPad Mini, alongside the iPad Air 2. The iPad Mini 3 is visually similar to its predecessor, offering minimal new features over its predecessor.

CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple has sold 225 million iPads since the first tablet launched back in 2010. The new iPads, meanwhile, are cheaper than their predecessor, and comes in new color options.

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Well the iPad Air 2 has been considerably improved over its predecessor, but the same cannot be said about the iPad Mini 3. Users, however, would find minor changes between the iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 3. Apart from the TouchID scanner, there aren't many changes made to make the iPad Mini 3 even better.

Apple didn't spend much time discussing the iPad Mini 3. That's because of the iPad Air 2, which got the star treatment at the launch event.

Talking about the iPad Mini 3's specifications, you get to see a standard looking 7.9-inch Retina display, an aluminum shell, A7 chipset, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, alongside HD quality FaceTime camera. The tablet runs on iOS 8.1 mobile operating system.

The most obvious improvements made in the form of a fingerprint scanner integrated into home button, just like new iPhones. Moreover, the iPad Mini 3 will support Apple Pay.

Like the iPad Air 2, the mini version will be made available in Gold color, apart from Silver and Grey. Apple iPad Mini 3 starts at $399 (Rs. 24,440) for 16GB in Wi-Fi only and runs up to $729 (Rs. 45,530) for a 128GB + LTE model. Pre-orders begin tomorrow in the U.S and other select countries, and ships by the end of next month.

At the same launch event, Apple also announced the arrival of the latest iMac 27-inch All-in-One computer with Retina 5K display and a new Mac Mini.

As of now, Apple hasn't shared its plans to launch the much-awaited iPad lineup for Indian consumers. Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!