Which refurbished iPad mini model is right for me?
Visually, there is not much difference between the refurbished iPad Mini 4 and the refurbished Pad Mini 5, as both models are identical externally. If you are looking for the right refurbished iPad Mini to suit you, it all comes down to the technical specs of the device itself.
Both options have a 7.9” display, and when the screen is off, the only clue to differentiate the two is the location of the microphones on the back. Whether this design similarity was because the iPad Mini 4 was so good – or whether nothing visually needed to change – is something that only Apple know. You can find out more about what makes an iPad Mini so special in our guide to buying a refurbished iPad Mini.
When it comes to buying either a refurbished Apple iPad Mini 4, or choosing an Apple iPad Mini 5 that is refurbished, you’ll need to consider all the specs, including the price.
Shop our refurbished iPad mini series
Refurbished iPad mini 4 specifications
Some of the highlights of the refurbished iPad mini 4 include:
- Capacity options of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB
- Available in Silver, Space Grey, and Gold
- Size: 203.2mm x 134.8mm x 6.1mm
- Weight of 298.8g for the Wi-Fi model and 304g for the 4G model.
- Inside the iPad 4 is an A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, as well as an M8 motion coprocessor
- The 8MP rear camera is capable of 1080p HD recording
- f/2.4 aperture, 5 element lens
- Slo-mo recording at 120fps
- 3 x video zoom
- 1.2MP front camera
- The display is 2046 x 1536 resolution at 326ppi
- 450nits of screen brightness
- 10-hour battery life (on wi-fi – using data it is 9 hours)
- Lightning connector, with USB cable and charging plug
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Original operating system – iOS 12
Refurbished iPad mini 5 specifications
The refurbished iPad Mini 5 has some specific differences, involving updated camera technology and processing. Some of the specifications include:
- Capacity – either 64GB or 256GB
- Available in Silver, Space Grey, or Gold
- Size: 203.2mm x 134.8mm x 6.1mm
- 300.5g weight for the wi-fi only model, 308.2g for the 4G model
- Updated A12 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture and featuring the neural engine
- 8MP rear camera, 1080p HD recording
- 7MP front camera
- f/2.4 aperture, 5 element lens, hybrid IR filter
- Slo-mo recording at 240fps
- 3 x video zoom
- Display – 2046 x 1536 resolution at 326ppi
- P3 Wide Colour and True Tone technology
- 500nits brightness
- 10-hour battery life on wi-fi, 9 hours on 4G
- Lightning connector, USB cable and charging plug
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Original operating system iPadOS 14 – designed to make the best use of iPad technology
When was the Apple iPad mini 4 released?
The iPad Mini 4 was released in 2015, and was discontinued when the iPad Mini 5 was released.
When was the Apple iPad mini 5 released?
The iPad Mini 5 was released in 2019.
How much does a refurbished iPad mini 4 cost?
Online, you will find prices for a used or refurbished iPad Mini 4 from £150 up to about £300. The cost will depend on the capacity and the condition, of course.
Buying a refurbished device can help to reduce the initial purchase cost, but you want to be sure that it works perfectly – which is why it’s worth finding a reputable reseller. Every device that We Sell Tek sell is completely refurbished, and subject to our extensive in-house testing programme.
This includes a 70-point diagnostic check that examines each device for everything from battery performance to full removal of previous data, and an extensive cleaning process.
At We Sell Tek, we grade our devices based on their condition, too. This means that if you are looking for a refurbished iPad Mini 4 in factory fresh condition, you can choose the ‘Pristine’ option to see what we have available.
Typically, you can expect a 4G model to cost slightly more than the Wi-fi only option, and the more capacity it has, the more it will cost.
How much does an iPad mini 5 refurbished cost?
Through online retailers, you can sometimes find new iPad Mini 5 models available new – but if you are looking to save money, then a used one will cost anywhere from £250 - £350, depending on condition.
Again, buying used is not always the best option – it is always better to get a refurbished device from a reliable source. Our refurbished iPad Mini 5s cost from about £269, and for that you will receive a device that has been tested thoroughly, returned to factory settings, and in carefully graded condition.
Here at We Sell Tek we regularly have both wi-fi only and 4G refurbished apple iPad Mini 5 models available. Every single device is subject to thorough diagnostics, and we are so confident in our abilities to restore an iPad to its former glory that we offer a comprehensive, no-nonsense 12-month warranty on every refurbished device we sell.
With our condition grading system, you can decide how you want to receive your refurbished iPad mini. We have a four-point rating system, from Grade A which is pristine, to Grade D, which is a device in fair condition, which has been used and shows heavy signs of wear. Choosing a lower grade will make the device much less costly – perfect if you want the technology and are happy to use a case or cover.
Refurbished iPad mini 4 vs refurbished iPad mini 5
Battery life
In normal usage, both the refurbished iPad Mini 4 and the refurbished iPad Mini 5 have the same battery performance – 10 hours using wi-fi, and 9 hours on 4G.
Our refurbished devices are all assessed thoroughly to make sure that they reach our high-performance targets of at least 80% of original battery capacity. If they do not, then we replace the battery, so you can be sure of the best performance from your device.
Size
Size-wise, the only difference is a slight difference in weight. The iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Mini 5 are the same size.
Camera quality
Both options have an 8MP rear camera, but the iPad Mini 5 refurbished has a much better front camera – which makes it better for FaceTime but also for selfies! The options for video recording are also improved in the iPad Mini 5, which might be a deciding factor in your purchase.
Memory
The refurbished iPad Mini 4 offers four different memory options, but the largest is only 128GB. For most people, the smaller capacity might become a problem, especially if you are using the iPad Mini as a work tablet or want to download a lot of apps.
The refurbished iPad Mini 5 only has two options, but the largest is double the size of the available space in the iPad Mini 4.
Software
It is the internal software that is the biggest difference between these two generations of iPad.
The iPad 4 has an A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, working with an M8 motion coprocessor. This might be considered slightly outdated and may not support some more modern applications that you might want to use on your newly refurbished device.
The A12 chip with 64-bit architecture in the iPad Mini 5 is supported by a neural engine, making it faster and more energy-efficient. There are a lot of interesting improvements that are being made in Apple’s neural engine – and this is one of the first devices to feature the technology.
Headphone jack
Much has been said about Apple’s decision to remove headphone jacks from later models in their iPhone and iPad range, but both the iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Mini 5 have 3.5mm jack inputs so you can use your favourite headphones.
Ports
The lightning connector in the iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Mini 5 allows for super-fast charging – and both are connected to a standard USB, making them easy to plug into a normal USB plug, or into a laptop, MacBook, or a PC.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi-only and 4G models?
The wi-fi only model has no SIM card in it, which means that it can only connect to the internet via wi-fi.
The 4G model can be used with a SIM card to get the internet via 4G signals, which can be more useful if you want to use the iPad when you are not at home – or somewhere without a dependable wi-fi network.
Do iPad mini 4G models still support Wi-Fi?
The 4G refurbished devices that we offer here at We Sell Tek have been unlocked, which means that you can use any network – if it is a Nano-SIM (that is the right size for both the iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Mini 5.
The 4G models can be used with a wi-fi network too.
Shop our refurbished iPad mini collection here.