You have to wonder where the iPad mini stands in Apple's long-term plans. With tablet sales waning, Apple put all of its upgrade chips into the iPad Air pot this year, as the iPad mini 3 is barely changed from last year's model. Let's see how it compares to its biggest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4.
Size
![Dimensions](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/36142af/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-5.jpg)
This is the first of many (actually most) categories where the iPad mini 3 is exactly same as its predecessor, the iPad mini 2 (formerly known as the iPad mini with Retina Display).
The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 comes out at 7 percent taller and 7 percent narrower than the iPad mini 3. The Tab S is very thin, measuring 12 percent thinner than the Mini.
Weight
![Weight](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/aeec087/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-19.jpg)
The Tab S is also incredibly light, tipping the scales at 11 percent lighter than the iPad mini 3.
Build
![Build](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/288baf7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-1.jpg)
The iPad mini 3 has the same unibody aluminum build that we saw in the last two iPad minis. The Tab S has a plastic construction, with a dimpled back that's similar to what we saw on the Galaxy S5.
Colors
![Color options](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/2343e01/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-3.jpg)
The Tab S ships in "Titanium Bronze" and "Dazzling White," while the iPad sells in the same three color options as the current crop of iPhones.
Display (size)
![Display (size)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/fb35ec1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-7.jpg)
The iPad mini gives you 95 percent as much screen as the Tab S does.
You'll also want to note the iPad's more boxy 4:3 aspect ratio vs. the Tab S' more oblong 16:10. I think 4:3 works a little better for portrait mode content, while 16:10 tablets have less letterboxing when you're watching video.
Display (resolution)
![Display resolution (and pixel density)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/cd97fd2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-6.jpg)
Both tablets have sharp screens, but the Tab S comes out ahead with its Quad HD resolution.
Display (type)
![Display (type)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/fe7c908/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-8.jpg)
The Tab's AMOLED screen has deep blacks, high contrast and rich colors.
Palm rejection
![The iPad mini has palm rejection around the edges, a great fit a tablet with narrow bezels](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/c18c91d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-13.jpg)
The iPad mini has a terrific little detail: when gripping the tablet, your hand can touch the edge of the screen without registering accidental touches. I miss this when I use other narrow-bezeled tablets – like the Tab S – that don't have this.
Fingerprint sensor
![Fingerprint sensors](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/88514cd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-9.jpg)
Apart from the gold color option, this is the only difference between the iPad mini 3 and its predecessor. That's a pretty weak update, but at least you get the best fingerprint sensor in the business: Apple's Touch ID is effortless to use, while the solid Samsung sensor requires a swipe from a specific angle.
Storage
![Storage](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/960c7ce/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-18.jpg)
The iPad mini gives you one more storage tier – and double the space of the Tab S in that second tier.
MicroSD card
![MicroSD card](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/36f5300/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-12.jpg)
The Tab S does let you augment its internal storage, though, by popping in a microSD.
Camera
![Cameras (megapixels)](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/119e698/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-2.jpg)
The Tab S' cameras have higher resolution, though neither tablet is going to give you flagship-smartphone-esque camera quality.
Battery
![Battery](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/ba1c423/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-0.jpg)
Both tablets have terrific battery life, and are among the longest-lasting tablets we've tested (we're assuming the iPad mini 3's uptimes are identical to those of the iPad mini 2, as Touch ID shouldn't affect battery life).
Phone calls
![Call forwarding](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/5a10466/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-10.jpg)
If you own a Galaxy S5, you can receive forwarded phone calls on your Galaxy Tab S 8.4, via a feature called SideSync 3.0. With iOS 8, the iPad has a similar call forwarding feature for iPhone owners.
Call forwarding on a tablet might not sound like much, but one nice bonus is that it can potentially let you leave your phone sitting on a charger while you're at home.
Processor
![Processors](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/c6331da/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-4.jpg)
Being almost identical to the iPad mini 2 means the iPad mini 3 has a year-old chip. The Apple A7 is a beast, so it's hard to complain too much on this front ... but it still would have been nice to see the faster A8 (or A8X) in the new model.
RAM
![RAM](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/76af68e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-15.jpg)
The iPad Air 2 got a RAM upgrade, but the iPad mini 3 is stuck on 1 GB.
Software
![Software](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/e0df682/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-17.jpg)
The iPad mini runs iOS 8.1, which brings goodies like third-party keyboards, better synchronization with other Apple devices and Touch ID integration in third-party apps.
The Tab S runs Android 4.4 KitKat, with Samsung's TouchWiz UI layered on top.
Release
![Release dates](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/17ffad6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-16.jpg)
Technically the iPad mini 3 is launching this week. But, in case we didn't already hammer this point into the ground, it's basically a year-old tablet with one new sensor.
Starting price
![Starting price](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/d5876b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2048x1152+0+0/resize/1440x810!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fgalaxy-tab-s-vs-ipad-mini-14.jpg)
Both slates start at the same US$400, though you might be able to find the three-month-old Galaxy Tab on sale.
We'll have an iPad mini 3 review before long, but if you're eyeing the Mini, you might be better off saving some money and buying the year-old iPad mini 2. It comes down to whether you think a Touch ID sensor (or gold color) is worth $100.
For more, you can hit up our full reviews of the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and iPad mini 3.