iteration and inherits a lot of the key features and capabilities that have made the larger iPad Air 2 a formidable all-around tablet solution.

Farewell, iPad mini 3 , we hardly knew ye. Casually announced at the end of Apple's iPad Pro presentation, the iPad mini 4 replaces last year's mini 3 as the company's high-end small-screen tablet .

Excellent build quality; Upgraded hardware from last iteration; Good camera; Reduced screen glare; Unbeatable app experience

Expensive; Occasional minor performance issues in testing

Overall, the iPad mini 4 is a very good device, and a return to form of sorts for the mini line. It still lags behind the iPad Air 2 in a number of ways, but for those who prefer the mini's smaller form factor, it's an appealing tablet.

The thinner, lighter design is even easier to hold than past iPad minis; A more powerful processor boots up the iPad and opens apps faster; Rear iSight camera has been upgraded to 8MP, with slo-mo video recording and burst mode shooting; Colors are sharper and more accurate in updated display.

Still often feels like a step down from iPad Air 2; No 3D Touch display; 16GB capacity will be too small for most users; 1.2 MP iPad FaceTime camera feels outdated; The design has been tweaked enough that old iPad mini cases won't fit.

The most interesting feature of the Apple iPad Mini 4 is the new operating system iOS 9. The ninth version of the Apple OS not only introduces several new and useful features, it also seems to have a positive effect on the overall performance, which is confirmed by some benchmarks during a retest of...

Impeccable build quality; Sophisticated materials; Low weight and thickness; High performance; Excellent GPS sensor; Convenient display with usable "anti-reflective coating; Usable features thanks to iOS 9; Usable cameras ..

..; only under good lighting conditions, Proprietary Lightning connector, Bad maintainability, No NFC, High price

Apple hasn't revolutionised the iPad Mini with this fourth model but it's certainly one of the best sub-10-inch tablets you can buy right now. A desirable combination of slick performance and longevity, combined with some serious media chops, make the Mini 4 a solid choice for almost any user.

Super thin and light; Slick performance; Great battery life

Last year, Apple delivered a dud of an iPad. I'm not talking about the iPad Air 2, which set an incredible new benchmark for the type of speed and performance consumers can expect from tablets. No, I'm referring to the disappointing, mailed-in iPad mini 3 .

Stunning; colorful display; Faster performance and better camera; iOS 9 multitasking

Old cases won't fit; Lackluster speakers; Jony Ive can't let go of chamfered edges

Among the best compact tablets you can buy-if money is no object-the iPad Mini 4 is now a true, almost-no-compromise small alternative to the iPad Air 2.

Screen is as good as you'll find on a compact tablet; Improved rear camera; Closer in performance to full-size iPads than the Mini 3 was

Pricey for a compact tablet; Costly relative to Apple's own previous-gen (and still-available) Air and Mini iPads; Rotation-lock switch relegated to software; As ever; no storage expansion via MicroSD

For shoppers looking for a compact, wallet-friendly tablet with premium features, the $399 iPad mini 4 is a solid choice. This device has not been completely overhauled or upgraded since the previous generation mini 3 and mini 2.

After a yearlong wait, we finally have a properly upgraded iPad Mini. While it adopted the iPad Air 2's super-slim aesthetic and got a similarly great screen, the iPad Mini 4 makes do with Apple's dual-core A8 chipset.

Vibrant screen; iOS 9 is great for multitasking; Solid performance; Respectable battery life

Rotation lock switch is gone; Still less powerful than the iPad Air 2; Base model only has 16GB of storage

The iPad Mini 4 is the King of compact tablets. Impossibly thin, lighter and faster than before, and with outstanding front and rear cameras, the Mini 4 has the power of a full-size tablet in a compact form factor.