iPad mini Chances to see iPad mini 5 on Monday

[JPack]

I'll say this though, if they do nothing else for the Mini line, they should at least lower the price of the Mini 4. I know that it has a larger capacity (128 GB vs 32GB) but having it cost more than 9.7" ipad that just came out can't be helping Mini sales. What's the logic in that?

It makes sense because Apple doesn't expect consumers to purchase the iPad mini for $399. Most consumers don't want iPad mini. It's pretty clear Apple expects most buyers to opt for the iPad (2017) at $329. The iPad mini is meant for educators, commercial users, and retail operators who have a special reason to use iPad mini. They have larger budgets and Apple can price it higher.
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Not really - he didn't give any prediction on the iPad mini, not the same as predicting no iPad refresh.

Yes, Ming-Chi Kuo gave a prediction on iPad mini, most people simply didn't read close enough.

When he made his prediction in January about the 10.5" iPad, he made a forecast for 2017:

Worst has passed for Apple’s iPad. This is due to: (1) the YoY shipment decline will narrow in 2017F versus 2016; (2) a better ASP thanks to improved product mix on decreasing exposure to iPad mini will likely offset the shipment decline; and (3) an improved cost structure due to an increasing number of suppliers of touch-module lamination and DDI.​

Apple doesn't experience "decreasing exposure to iPad mini" if there's any kind of mini refresh or new mini expected.

 

[iMacmatician]

And the iPad Mini 4 came out of nowhere, so there's that.

If you want to keep your hopes up... I don't believe there were any rumors for the iPad mini 3 before it launched? It's possible that Apple would do a very minor refresh on the iPad mini similar to the mini 3. It would be nice to have an updated processor and camera at the very least.

Here are the MacRumors roundups before the last two iPad minis were announced, with rumors pointing to mini updates both times:

• The iPad mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014. Roundup from October 10, 2014.
• The iPad mini 4 was announced on September 9, 2015. Roundup from August 10, 2015.
  • There doesn't seem to be a snapshot closer to the event, but here's one afterwards that links to some rumors since August 10.

Since Kuo's predictions are mentioned on this thread, here are some of Kuo's reports with information about the mini 3 and mini 4:

iPad mini may be upgraded with fingerprint recognition, if any.

However, in the above report Kuo predicted a September announcement for the iPads, which ended up incorrect.

He believes a thinner and lighter iPad mini that is essentially a smaller version of the iPad Air 2 could begin shipping at the tail end of the [3rd] quarter, helping boost overall shipments to 11 million units during the third calendar quarter. Apple's iPad launches typically come in October, however, so shipments may not begin until the fourth quarter. In line with a recent report claiming Apple may not introduce a new iPad Air this year, Kuo does not mention any pending updates to that device. He also does not address the even larger "iPad Pro" that has been rumored to launch later this year.

 

[joeblow7777]

It makes sense because Apple doesn't expect consumers to purchase the iPad mini for $399. Most consumers don't want iPad mini. It's pretty clear Apple expects most buyers to opt for the iPad (2017) at $329. The iPad mini is meant for educators, commercial users, and retail operators who have a special reason to use iPad mini. They have larger budgets and Apple can price it higher.

Did you just say that educators have a larger budget?! LOL!

But seriously though, I don't see why you would assume this. Apple specifically said that the 11" Macbook Air is now exclusive to such markets, and they removed it from their regular site and store. If the Mini was in the same category they would do the same. Maybe they will next week, but we don't know that yet.

Also, it so happens that I'm an educator who's shopping around for some devices for my school, and the price issue is still the same. At entry level, the new iPad costs less than the Mini 4, and believe me, schools and businesses always buy entry level, because why do we need 128GB if nothing is ever kept on the devices but apps? So right now, the only significant reason to buy a Mini 4 over the new iPad is personal preference of the form factor, which is definitely not a consideration when buying for a classroom.

 

[44267547]

If you want to keep your hopes up... I don't believe there were any rumors for the iPad mini 3 before it launched? It's possible that Apple would do a very minor refresh on the iPad mini similar to the mini 3. It would be nice to have an updated processor and camera at the very least.

That's mainly my expectation. This Would be a specification update versus new actual hardware. I just think it's a telltale sign of how Apple has not necessary neglected the mini, but certainly has not placed an emphasis on it either. It just seems we live in a world where larger devices are consuming smaller ones.

 

[JPack]

Did you just say that educators have a larger budget?! LOL!

But seriously though, I don't see why you would assume this. Apple specifically said that the 11" Macbook Air is now exclusive to such markets, and they removed it from their regular site and store. If the Mini was in the same category they would do the same. Maybe they will next week, but we don't know that yet.

Also, it so happens that I'm an educator who's shopping around for some devices for my school, and the price issue is still the same. At entry level, the new iPad costs less than the Mini 4, and believe me, schools and businesses always buy entry level, because why do we need 128GB if nothing is ever kept on the devices but apps? So right now, the only significant reason to buy a Mini 4 over the new iPad is personal preference of the form factor, which is definitely not a consideration when buying for a classroom.

In many classrooms, the iPad is a shared device. Using the "Shared iPad" feature, a 128GB iPad mini can be partitioned to support a dozen students. Each will need 5-10GB of local storage for Khan Academy videos or music class. The budget per device is higher, but the cost per user is lower. Most schools don't have a 1:1 ratio of iPads to students.

For commercial and business users, the iPad mini can be paired with Bluetooth scanners and readers for inventory counts and magnetic card readers. Those organizations need the iPad mini for the form factor and will have to pay $399 regardless if they need 128 GB or not.

For the niche situations described above, it makes complete sense for Apple to keep the 128 GB iPad mini 4 and price it at $399. It still offers value to a few customers. For the rest of us who are content consumers, screen size is king. It makes no sense to buy the iPad mini when the 9.7" iPad (2017) is $329. Apple killing the 32GB iPad mini and keeping the 128GB for stragglers is quite logical, especially when you take into account where the mini tablet market is trending.

 

[iOSpecialist]

Not really - he didn't give any prediction on the iPad mini, not the same as predicting no iPad refresh.
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And the iPad Mini 4 came out of nowhere, so there's that.
Lack of rumors does not equal lack of product.

The iPad mini 4 didn't come out of nowhere. There were leaked CAD designs long before the release as well as lots of rumours that ended up being true.

 

[joeblow7777]

In many classrooms, the iPad is a shared device. Using the "Shared iPad" feature, a 128GB iPad mini can be partitioned to support a dozen students. Each will need 5-10GB of local storage for Khan Academy videos or music class. The budget per device is higher, but the cost per user is lower. Most schools don't have a 1:1 ratio of iPads to students.

For commercial and business users, the iPad mini can be paired with Bluetooth scanners and readers for inventory counts and magnetic card readers. Those organizations need the iPad mini for the form factor and will have to pay $399 regardless if they need 128 GB or not.

For the niche situations described above, it makes complete sense for Apple to keep the 128 GB iPad mini 4 and price it at $399. It still offers value to a few customers. For the rest of us who are content consumers, screen size is king. It makes no sense to buy the iPad mini when the 9.7" iPad (2017) is $329. Apple killing the 32GB iPad mini and keeping the 128GB for stragglers is quite logical, especially when you take into account where the mini tablet market is trending.

Those are indeed some valid points.

 

[nutriousmitten]

Yeah I can't see the Mini going away given its domination in the small tablet space, and as mentioned,institutional and some consumer preference for the smaller size. Price drop is possible I guess as mentioned above.

I don't see a Pro Mini because of the requirement of a smaller keyboard and even if there is a new smaller Apple Pencil, not sure the practicality of using a pencil on that size tablet.

Would love to see a bump up in ram,processor,touch Id gen 2 and maybe a better camera, all coming from the IP 6s or later, parts bin.

 

[chilman]

I like the mini overall dimension, it's the perfect size for personal usage and traveling, easy to fit in smaller bags. I used to hv the 9.7 and I switched to the mini 2. I wanted to upgrade to mini 5, but seems that won't happen anymore. I could buy the mini 4 but some since the mini will be discontinued, the m4 is going to be obsolete also. Unless the 9.7 would be intergrated in the mini body, without the bezels, it could fit a 9.7 screen. Could this be happening? Just like the iphone screen are the ipads going to eliminate/reduce the borders?

 

[spac3duck]

Really hoping for an iPad mini 5 or iPad mini Pro but unfortunately resolved to the idea that it is unlikely...<sigh>.

 

[bingeciren]

Apple will kill all minis. Death to Mac Mini and death to iPad Mini. Next breakthrough innovation will be an iPad Maxi Pro with 15" display

 

[masotime]

A 15" iPad Pro would be interesting, but sounds like a nightmare to hold. I'd like to see it, but only if it were designed ergonomically.

Maybe if it could be rolled up like a newspaper or foldable like in Westworld, that would be pretty awesome.

 

[bopajuice]

Wrong thread

 

[spac3duck]

Apple will kill all minis. Death to Mac Mini and death to iPad Mini. Next breakthrough innovation will be an iPad Maxi Pro with 15" display

Nooooooooooooooo haha

 

[boston04and07]

It makes no sense to buy the iPad mini when the 9.7" iPad (2017) is $329.

Oh, I couldn't disagree more with this. There are plenty of us at the regular consumer level who strongly prefer the smaller size for whatever reason. (I prefer its portability and the fact that it's the perfect size for reading books. The mini can fit in my day bag, the 9.7" can't). For us, it makes perfect sense to choose the smaller device, even if it unfortunately has to come at a slight premium. The two devices are so different in size that it seems kind of silly to me to differentiate them solely on price.

 

[profets]

Apple will kill all minis. Death to Mac Mini and death to iPad Mini. Next breakthrough innovation will be an iPad Maxi Pro with 15" display

A 15" iPad Pro would be interesting, but sounds like a nightmare to hold. I'd like to see it, but only if it were designed ergonomically.

Maybe if it could be rolled up like a newspaper or foldable like in Westworld, that would be pretty awesome.

I'd love a 15" or larger iPad for desk/tabletop use to replace my iMac at home. Of course along with some significant iOS for iPad improvements.

 

[spac3duck]

Oh, I couldn't disagree more with this. There are plenty of us at the regular consumer level who strongly prefer the smaller size for whatever reason. (I prefer its portability and the fact that it's the perfect size for reading books. The mini can fit in my day bag, the 9.7" can't). For us, it makes perfect sense to choose the smaller device, even if it unfortunately has to come at a slight premium. The two devices are so different in size that it seems kind of silly to me to differentiate them solely on price.

100% agree on this point. The portability of the iPad mini is phenomenal for those who travel regularly .
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I'd love a 15" or larger iPad for desk/tabletop use to replace my iMac at home. Of course along with some significant iOS for iPad improvements.

If Apple were to include support for mouse input in iOS 11, you could always air display your iPad mini to a computer monitor running an ATV. Best of both worlds

 

[joeblow7777]

For me it's not even that I need the portability of a Mini. A 9.7" ipad will fit in my laptop bag just as easily, and the extra weight wouldn't be noticeable. I just really like having a device that so comfortably fits in my hand, and is about he perfect width (for me) for thumb-typing, while offering all the functionality of a full sized iPad.

 

[AppleRobert]

How would Apple ever be able to fit in a new Mini considering the last iPad released was $329 so I doubt it big time.

 

[masotime]

A lot of people here are obsessed with relative pricing. While I like a good deal, I want the product that best suits my desires, regardless of price, and form factor is an extremely important consideration for me, as well as for many.

If you cannot appreciate the form factor differences, you probably never needed an iPad mini in the first place - you just wanted the cheapest one, and consider the word "mini" as automatically meaning "cheaper". If the 12.9" iPad were cheaper than the 2017 iPad, you'd get that instead, disregarding the decreased portability.

 

[AppleRobert]

A lot of people here are obsessed with relative pricing. While I like a good deal, I want the product that best suits my desires, regardless of price, and form factor is an extremely important consideration for me, as well as for many.

If you cannot appreciate the form factor differences, you probably never needed an iPad mini in the first place - you just wanted the cheapest one, and consider the word "mini" as automatically meaning "cheaper". If the 12.9" iPad were cheaper than the 2017 iPad, you'd get that instead, disregarding the decreased portability.

We are just speculating, tell me if they release a new Mini what the price would be considering the larger latest one is $329.

Apple I do not feel would want to cannibalize so ....

 

[JPack]

Relative pricing is important for iPad because the key selling points are very similar to the iPhone.

The iPad mini is being cannibalized by iPhone and Mac. It's also up against the Amazon Kindle and Fire which are priced less than $100. For people using iPad mini as an e-reader or toy for kids, it's tough to justify $300 vs. $100. In order to maintain margins, Apple has to change iPad from a content consumption device to a content creation device. There's no room for iPad mini in this new world. Content creation and multitasking is painful on a 7.9" display. The phablet owners need a really good reason to be carrying another device on the road.

The comments about the iPad mini form factor are similar to those who prefer the discontinued 11.6-inch MacBook Air. It's been displaced by tablets and 2-in-1 devices. Sure, there are people who prefer the smaller form factor but the market as a whole has spoken.

 

[44267547]

A lot of people here are obsessed with relative pricing. While I like a good deal, I want the product that best suits my desires, regardless of price, and form factor is an extremely important consideration for me, as well as for many.

If you cannot appreciate the form factor differences, you probably never needed an iPad mini in the first place - you just wanted the cheapest one, and consider the word "mini" as automatically meaning "cheaper". If the 12.9" iPad were cheaper than the 2017 iPad, you'd get that instead, disregarding the decreased portability.

Valid points. I don't look at the price point as much as I do what I actually need iPad mini for. I think when I considered iPad mini, I look at it for portability and mobility. I prefer the larger 9.7 iPad for when I want the larger display for media. But for the sake of traveling or one-handed use, that's when iPad mini comes to mind for me And where I leave my larger devices behind.

 

[Karnicopia]

I'll be sad to see it go if they discontinue it. I think my mini is the perfect airplane computer, you have room for your drink and snack on the table with the mini and I do think it is the perfect size for reading. It also just feels the best in my hands out of all of them, the iPhone plus is a bit too big for one handed use and a bit too small for two handed use (why I'm really excited about the potential of the 8) but the size of the iPad mini feels right to me. I get that it's a tough item to justify if you have a iPad and a iPhone plus but it really hits the sweet spot for me. I'd really like to see the mini get the edge to edge and touch ID behind the screen treatment as well I think those would be especially great for this size, maybe it's not in the cards but I'd really like one.

 

[masotime]

Relative pricing is important for iPad because the key selling points are very similar to the iPhone.

The iPad mini is being cannibalized by iPhone and Mac. It's also up against the Amazon Kindle and Fire which are priced less than $100. For people using iPad mini as an e-reader or toy for kids, it's tough to justify $300 vs. $100. In order to maintain margins, Apple has to change iPad from a content consumption device to a content creation device. There's no room for iPad mini in this new world. Content creation and multitasking is painful on a 7.9" display. The phablet owners need a really good reason to be carrying another device on the road.

The comments about the iPad mini form factor are similar to those who prefer the discontinued 11.6-inch MacBook Air. It's been displaced by tablets and 2-in-1 devices. Sure, there are people who prefer the smaller form factor but the market as a whole has spoken.

I don't disagree with this, but read my post again. I'm talking about being able to appreciate the form factor, not trying to argue that cannibalisation is happening.

My point is that if you can't appreciate the form factor, you can't understand why some people don't care about the relative pricing. Repeatedly bringing it up is ignoring the market for it. Not everyone buys the iPad mini expecting "mini" pricing.
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How would Apple ever be able to fit in a new Mini considering the last iPad released was $329 so I doubt it big time.

In particular, this claim is a perfect example of what I'm saying. Not everyone buys the iPad mini because of pricing. They buy it because it's exactly what they want. The iPhone plus for this market is simply inadequate. So is the Kindle, or any android tablet for that matter. There is simply no tablet in the iPad mini's form factor now that rivals it.