iPad Mini 4 - Worth getting this day in age?

[icymountain]

If the next iOS is not supported, that does not mean that you can´t use suddenly many apps. Sure, slowly some apps will demand the new iOS version, but in most cases you can just stay on the older, even download the old app version, for a long time. Our iPad mini 1 is on 9.3.5 and still supports all apps that are on it. Our iPad 2 is on 7.1.2 and there are only a few apps I wanted to install that demanded Ios 8 or higher. So, you can use the device quite a few years after the last possible iOS update. iPad mini 4 will be fully usable until 2020, I expect, an be mostly usable much longer.

Sure, I never said you will not be able to use it. This is why I said "it may become frustrating", and not "it will become impossible". All I meant is that, as a prospective buyer, you have to think about this a bit in advance. If your use does not require many Apps, or the research you have done makes you feel confident you will not be hit too hard by a lack of iOS support, then fine. Otherwise, then better to figure it out early, before purchasing, than later.

 

[AMTYVLE]

Looks like Best Buy today has the Mini 4 128GB for 274.99 !

 

[Channan]

I still absolutely love my mini 4. I take it with me almost everywhere I go. Battery isn’t as great as it used to be but still good enough. I really wish Apple would update the mini, even if it was just a newer processor. I’d love a new iPad mini.

 

[rui no onna]

Sure, I never said you will not be able to use it. This is why I said "it may become frustrating", and not "it will become impossible". All I meant is that, as a prospective buyer, you have to think about this a bit in advance. If your use does not require many Apps, or the research you have done makes you feel confident you will not be hit too hard by a lack of iOS support, then fine. Otherwise, then better to figure it out early, before purchasing, than later.

In general though, it takes at least 1-2 years before app developers stop providing app updates for older iOS versions. Usually, one can also download the last supported version for older iOS firmware. It'll likely be years before app support (or lack thereof) becomes an issue. Heck, they may be lacking newer features but the legacy YouTube and Netflix apps still work on my iPod Touch running iOS 4 last time I used them.

 

[sracer]

Looks like Best Buy today has the Mini 4 128GB for 274.99 !

That's a great price! I paid that for my 32GB mini 4 last December.