Apple iPad mini 3

Aside from a gold paintjob, TouchID sensor, and Apple SIM, the $399 mini 3 receives no substantive upgrades over last year's iPad mini 2

It's no longer the thinnest or lightest tablet in town—that honor belongs to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4—but it's still arguably the best looking and best built small tablet.

The iPad Air 2 (left) and the iPad mini 3 (right), both with new TouchID sensors.

The iPad Air 2 (bottom) is slightly thinner than last year's, but the mini 3 (top) is the same thickness as last year.

Apple SIM lets you use a single SIM regardless of which carrier you choose to use for cellular data. Instead of having to go to the store and replace your SIM card, you can go straight into the Cellular Data settings menu and add a new account for your desired carrier.

TouchID worked with the same reliability and ease we've come to expect, but I'm not sure it's quite as useful here as on the iPhone for two main reasons: I don't constantly check for updates on a tablet and my thumb doesn't rest right over the Home button whenever I use the iPad.

The mini 3 (left) and the Galaxy Tab S (right), which has a more impressive display.

The Tab S (bottom) is slightly thinner and lighter than the mini 3 (top).