iPad mini As a Mini 4 diehard, why do I need a Mini 5?

[dcpmark]

I’m a committed 2-device guy, a small phone (SE) and a Mini 4 cellular that goes everywhere with me. Like many Mini fanboys I have been clamouring for a Mini 5 with upgraded specs. Now that it looks like we are getting one, I started thinking about why I actually need one. My Mini 4 doesn’t seem slow, and runs every app and plays every game I have. The Mini 4 still is supported by Apple, and runs the latest iOS.

So, other than longer Apple support, what features or benefits will the new Mini 5 bring that will make me want to upgrade? Put the possible Apple Pencil support aside or camera upgrades, as I couldn’t care less about those. If it’s just a processor bump with a lesser quality screen, what benefits will I get on a daily basis over the Mini 4?

TIA!

 

[xraydoc]

I’m a committed 2-device guy, a small phone (SE) and a Mini 4 cellular that goes everywhere with me. Like many Mini fanboys I have been clamouring for a Mini 5 with upgraded specs. Now that it looks like we are getting one, I started thinking about why I actually need one. My Mini 4 doesn’t seem slow, and runs every app and plays every game I have. The Mini 4 still is supported by Apple, and runs the latest iOS.

So, other than longer Apple support, what features or benefits will the new Mini 5 bring that will make me want to upgrade? Put the possible Apple Pencil support aside or camera upgrades, as I couldn’t care less about those. If it’s just a processor bump with a lesser quality screen, what benefits will I get on a daily basis over the Mini 4?

TIA!

Won't know until it actually comes out, but in your case it may not have any benefit.

 

[Falhófnir]

Well, eventually your mini 4 will reach the end of the line, when that happens you will be able to purchase a mini 5 or 6 if Apple now continues to invest in maintaining the line. If you don't buy one now you'll probably end up buying it or it's direct successor in a couple of years when the mini 4 gets iOS support cut and begins to fall out of compatibility with apps and updates, and/or is suffering from old age related fatigue (battery etc).

 

[pika2000]

I’m a committed 2-device guy, a small phone (SE) and a Mini 4 cellular that goes everywhere with me. Like many Mini fanboys I have been clamouring for a Mini 5 with upgraded specs. Now that it looks like we are getting one, I started thinking about why I actually need one. My Mini 4 doesn’t seem slow, and runs every app and plays every game I have. The Mini 4 still is supported by Apple, and runs the latest iOS.

So, other than longer Apple support, what features or benefits will the new Mini 5 bring that will make me want to upgrade? Put the possible Apple Pencil support aside or camera upgrades, as I couldn’t care less about those. If it’s just a processor bump with a lesser quality screen, what benefits will I get on a daily basis over the Mini 4?

TIA!

You don't feel the need for a mini 5 because you have a mini 4.
I have a mini 2, and I am dying for a mini 5. The mini 4 wasn't such a huge upgrade for me, especially today considering how old the mini 4 hardware is, and how the 2018 iPad has a much better chip inside.

 

[dcpmark]

You don't feel the need for a mini 5 because you have a mini 4.
I have a mini 2, and I am dying for a mini 5. The mini 4 wasn't such a huge upgrade for me, especially today considering how old the mini 4 hardware is, and how the 2018 iPad has a much better chip inside.

Yeah, totally would get how a Mini 2 owner would want to upgrade to a Mini 5.

 

[Greenmeenie]

As an ipad mini 2 owner myself, i am definitely upgrading no matter what! But considering the mini 4 is over 3 yrs old already itself... “longevity” alone is a pretty darn good reason to upgrade. As far as other reasons, we are all just guessing here since nobody knows what new features the next ipad mini will have! Sure, it will be faster. Thats a given. But we don’t know what else. Will it have pencil support or an updated design with flat edges and face ID like the new pros? Or will it have the same shell as the ipad mini 4 with updated internals? Until we do know for sure, it’s impossible to say what benefits it will have over the previous gen.

 

[DNichter]

Better everything?

 

[ACG12]

The mini needs a speed bump along with more RAM. My wife loves her mini 4, but compared to her 8 Plus, it’s quite slow. Plus she’s had it for 3 years and wants to upgrade.

 

[dcpmark]

The mini needs a speed bump along with more RAM. My wife loves her mini 4, but compared to her 8 Plus, it’s quite slow. Plus she’s had it for 3 years and wants to upgrade.

See, this interests me.....can you explain what you mean by “quite slow”?

 

[subjonas]

You probably don’t need to upgrade for your uses. I don’t either. It’s a tad slower than my newer ios devices, but it’s not an issue for how I use it (casual consumption). I do have some typing/touch register issues occasionally, but not often enough to make a big fuss.

If someone uses their mini 4 for things like work, for which speed is a factor, they would probably benefit from even a small upgrade in performance. And of course if the update ends up being substantial—big boost in performance, pencil support, better speakers, more storage, etc.—more people will want to upgrade. I’d be tempted by quad speakers and more storage, but those aren’t big issues for me so I’d probably still wait until my mini 4 either gets too slow or starts losing support for my apps.

A device that works well basically has no reason to be upgraded. Only if there is dissatisfaction, or a game-changing new feature.

 

[dacreativeguy]

Apple has been forced to keep up the performance of the Mini 4 because it is the most recent version of the model, despite being 4 years old. As soon as the 5 comes out, they'll stop optimizing for the 4 and it will start getting slower with each update.

 

[danniexi]

we have no idea if/when the Mini 5 will be released and what features/updates it will include.

that being said, if you are completely satisfied with what you have now, then there is no need to upgrade. you should buy a device that you actually need/want, rather than purchase something for its potential future uses or anything that you will not benefit from.

 

[joeblow7777]

How can you or anyone else decide before we even know what the Mini 5 features?

 

[dcpmark]

How can you or anyone else decide before we even know what the Mini 5 features?

I guess I’m presuming a small spec bump, and since my Mini 4 doesn’t SEEM slow, I’m wondering how a spec bump would make a difference in my daily use. Apps open quickly, and not noticing any lag at all except for a small amount of time for pages to load while web surfing.

There are certain new “features” which would even turn me off, like Face ID over Touch ID. Just my preference. But I think it’s unlikely that a new Mini would get new features not already on the Pro line, so we can look at what’s already out there to speculate.

 

[ACG12]

See, this interests me.....can you explain what you mean by “quite slow”?

You’d have to experience it for yourself. There’s a clear noticeable lag when going back and forth between an A8 and A11 device.

I just hope apple doesn’t give it the iPad 9.7” treatment, just give it the A10 and leave everything else alone.

 

[joeblow7777]

I guess I’m presuming a small spec bump, and since my Mini 4 doesn’t SEEM slow, I’m wondering how a spec bump would make a difference in my daily use. Apps open quickly, and not noticing any lag at all except for a small amount of time for pages to load while web surfing.

There are certain new “features” which would even turn me off, like Face ID over Touch ID. Just my preference. But I think it’s unlikely that a new Mini would get new features not already on the Pro line, so we can look at what’s already out there to speculate.

It’s still hard to say. Even if it’s just a Mini 4 with an A9 instead of an A8, which would be the absolute bare minimum they could do, that could give it an extra year or maybe 2 of useful life. I think a lot depends on how well A8 devices run iOS 13, assuming they are supported at all.

 

[jterp7]

My prayer is that the 5 has least promotion vs being a smaller regular ipad; Like perhaps a mini 10.5

Almost positive it will not be a mini 11 pro at this point (please prove me wrong apple lol)

 

[Hym tix]

Pencil?

Compatibility with Apple Pencil 2 might do it for me.

 

[jterp7]

Pencil?

Compatibility with Apple Pencil 2 might do it for me.

Well for this to be true it would have to be a mini pro lol

 

[davideotape]

The new non-pro ipads have pencil compatibility, even if it is Gen1 its not unheard of.

I was considering the latest ipad pro— i have a first gen 12.9 and its just too large and i want something smaller that works with an apple pencil to carry around, take notes, and sit on the couch with. If the new mini has pencil compatibility im probably sold.

 

[jterp7]

Yea but he said pencil 2 specifically

 

[HarryWild]

Better everything?

Not if it is a “budget” Mini! The screen will probably be unlaminated, the amount of RAM will probably stay at 2GB and other components like camera and other components might be a 2 years ahead then the 2015 Mini 4. Yes for marketing hype, Apple may even use an A11! But it will be limited future proof and cheaply made and priced.
[doublepost=1548122235][/doublepost]

It’s still hard to say. Even if it’s just a Mini 4 with an A9 instead of an A8, which would be the absolute bare minimum they could do, that could give it an extra year or maybe 2 of useful life. I think a lot depends on how well A8 devices run iOS 13, assuming they are supported at all.

You do not have to upgrade your iOS! If you continue upgrading your iOS, you just make your hardware obsolete! Apple will not let you go back to an earlier iOS either. Apple has found a way to even stop tech savvy users from go back to earlier versions of their iOS. If you upgrade, you just hurting your mobile devices longevity! You cannot go back....now ever again.

 

[joeblow7777]

Not if it is a “budget” Mini! The screen will probably be unlaminated, the amount of RAM will probably stay at 2GB and other components like camera and other components might be a 2 years ahead then the 2015 Mini 4. Yes for marketing hype, Apple may even use an A11! But it will be limited future proof and cheaply made and priced.
[doublepost=1548122235][/doublepost]

You do not have to upgrade your iOS! If you continue upgrading your iOS, you just make your hardware obsolete! Apple will not let you go back to an earlier iOS either. Apple has found a way tomeven stop tech savvy users from go back to earlier versions of their iOS. If you upgrade, you just hurting your mobile devices longevity!

I always run the latest OS version and have never regretted it.

 

[HarryWild]

You’d have to experience it for yourself. There’s a clear noticeable lag when going back and forth between an A8 and A11 device.

I just hope apple doesn’t give it the iPad 9.7” treatment, just give it the A10 and leave everything else alone.

Current SoC is A12 and we are in 2019 now. In September 2019 will be a new A13! The A10 will in September be 3 years old SoC! The A13 is rumor to be a 5nm SoC compare to the A10, a 16nm SoC and A12 with a 7nm SoC! But most in the know think Apple will stay with the 7nm size for the upcoming A13 however.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A12

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

As a user of a mini 2 for quite a long time, I wanted a new mini a lot.
I was given a mini 4 LTE for Christmas, and am really enjoying it. I like the thinness and lightness over the mini 2. The screen is much better, the performance is a huge improvement, and apps do not have to restart when multitasking.

What would interest me in further upgrading?
Pencil 2 support- I would likely fit on the long side.
A11 or A12 processor for software and operating system longevity.
USB-C as all other Apple products are heading that way.