Buy Mini 4 as a Spare

[abredt]

I have the original iPad mini and love it. I am concerned that future iOS versions may not support it.

I am considering buying a Mini 4 and keeping it as a spare for use in future iOS versions.

Does that make any sense? Cost of $399 is not a factor.
Thanks, cb

 

[speedlever]

If you're still on a mini 1, and cost is not a factor, then I say wait until you need a new one before buying another. No point in having brand new old tech in storage.

 

[Jupiter7]

Technology moves fast nowadays and new operating systems are introduced. If you put aside a Mini 4 for future use, you may find it struggles to run the latest IOS and at some point may not be able to download a new software update.

 

[abredt]

The problem is that Apple is discontinuing the Mini. So I am concerned that future iOS upgrades may not work on my original Mini.
For example - you cannot upgrade an iPhone 4 to iOS 10.
I like the size of the mini, as opposed to iPad Air 2.
Thanks, cb

 

[giradman]

The problem is that Apple is discontinuing the Mini. So I am concerned that future iOS upgrades may not work on my original Mini.
For example - you cannot upgrade an iPhone 4 to iOS 10.
I like the size of the mini, as opposed to iPad Air 2.

Well, my first comment was going to be about Apple's D/C the Mini model, so if you like the smaller footprint of that iPad, then maybe a reason to simply upgrade to a Mini 4 while still available? Also the original Mini is nearly 5 years of age and has been declared 'obsolete' by Apple (see first pic below); in addition, the CPU chip is the old A5 (vs. the A8 in the Mini 4) and RAM is only 512 MB (vs. 2 GB in the current Mini model). Finally, I'm assuming that your are on iOS 9.x since your device cannot run the 10.x version (2nd pic below) - keep in mind that the next iOS (i.e. 11.x) will run only 64-bit apps.

The Mini 4 was released at the end of 2015 and I suspect will have iOS compatibility for the next couple or more versions of the operating system (just my guess) - my wife has a Mini 4 and also likes the size (fits in her purse easily), so I do not believe that she will need a replacement soon. My feeling is that you should consider upgrading to the Mini 4 if you want to take full advantage of the newest iOS, newer apps, fingerprint ID, more RAM, and better security. Good luck in your decision - not an easy one and comments will certainly vary. Dave
.

 

[abredt]

Many thanks. I hadn't quite thought about it as an upgrade now.
I will take your advice and treat myself to a new mini. Now to decide on a case for it
cb

How do I register an official Thanks?

 

[scifan57]

Many thanks. I hadn't quite thought about it as an upgrade now.
I will take your advice and treat myself to a new mini. Now to decide on a case for it
cb

How do I register an official Thanks?

If you tap the thumbs up icon at the bottom of a post, it will post a thanks to the profile page of the member making the post.