Contradictory claims have been made about the iPad Mini 4. This tablet is thinner and lighter than the model that precedes it, and yet it is faster and more powerful. Tweaks to the display make it better at viewing content, and although the battery has gone on a substantial diet, Apple claims it'll...

Excellent build quality; Fast computing hardware; Anti-reflective screen; Improved cameras; Touch ID biometric finger scanner

Expensive; Battery drains quick under heavy use

Mashable Choice highlights the best of everything we cover, have experienced first-hand and would recommend to others. Does anyone care about Apple's new iPad mini 4 I don't even think Apple does.

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.

So do Apple's petite tablets make sense any more? I've been running with the iPhone 6s Plus in tandem with the mini 4, just to see how often I'd reach for the mini's extra 2.5 inches of screen.

Subtle display tweaks make it easier on the eyes; Super portable form factor; Longevity in battery life

FaceTime camera is still a measly 1.2MP; No 3D Touch

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

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.

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

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