The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple's markets.

The iPad Mini 2, with an A7 processor and a Retina display, was announced on October 22, 2013, and released on November 12, 2013.

The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014, alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.

Matching the new design language of the current Pro and Air iPads, features included a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port (instead of Lightning), top button with Touch ID (with home button removed), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.

[11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple's iCloud online service.

[14] The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.

The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[a][22]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.

Apple sells a "camera connection kit" with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos.

[25][26] Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector.

Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[38][39][40][41][42][43] with reviewers praising the device's size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini.

[44][46] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price.

[43] The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.