Apple to Obsolete All iPad Mini 3 Cellular and Wi-Fi Models in Coming Weeks

Apple will label Wi-Fi-only and cellular models of the third-generation iPad mini as obsolete products in a few weeks, according to a memo sent out earlier today obtained by MacRumors.

ipad mini trademark specimen
Currently, only a specific cellular variant of the ‌iPad mini‌ 3 is marked as obsolete, but this will soon change. The third-generation ‌iPad mini‌ kept the same design as its predecessor but included improved performance thanks to the A7 chip and a Touch ID home button.

Apple designates products as obsolete seven years after they were last on sale. All hardware service is discontinued for obsolete products, and service providers are not able to order parts for obsolete devices.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...

Top Rated Comments

szw-mapple fan Avatar
36 months ago
I wonder why the article is using an image of the 1st gen iPad mini.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wokis Avatar
36 months ago

The third-generation iPad mini kept the same design as its predecessor but included improved performance thanks to the A7 chip and a Touch ID home button.
Nah, the only change was the addition of Touch ID. A weird generation.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matthew12 Avatar
36 months ago
We use some as room scheduling displays for the conference rooms at our office. They work pretty well being essentially dumb terminals.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nymphe Avatar
36 months ago

Is this the one I bought that was replaced in the lineup super fast? I forget.
I think you are referring to iPad 3, which was the first retina ipad but with very slow processor. It was replaced by ipad 4 within 8 months I believe. I've been burned couple of times by Apple with 1st revisions, but this was one very annoying because damn thing was very slow.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tardman91 Avatar
36 months ago
My kid is still using an iPad mini 2 with no issues. Not so obsolete I guess.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
36 months ago

A total piece of junk. It scored dead last on both Single and Multi core Geekbench. It even scored lower than the iPad 2 and 1st Gen Mini.

Single





Multi


91Tech on youtube literally rates iPad mini 3 as F (aka trash tier) because it is such a pointless update, not justifying the name change at all. iPad 10 at least brings some changes to the table to make it somewhat new. iPad mini 3 has almost none of that. No, just adding touch ID is not "some changes".
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)