Disappointed in "new" iPad mini optionD

[profets]

There are reports that point to a mini Pro iPad coming, and I definitely don't think the mini 4 is the end of the line for the form factor.

Especially if the 10.5" pro is to the mini what the 12.9" pro is to the 9.7" iPad Pro (i.e. a resolution and poi that makes split screen apps exactly 2x an iPad mini screen) then there is every reason to have the iPad mini Pro around as well.

After owning all sizes and models of iPad I have always returned to the mini form factor. I just love using it more and thus, despite the arguments otherwise, end up using it for more things, both productive and consumptive, than I have with any other iPad.

For me personally, and I think for a lot of people, a 7.9" Pro would be an instabuy. That said, the A8 (and A8X for that matter) have sown themselves to be one of the generations of SoC with real longevity and staying power. Besides the occasional safari tab reload when using the browser heavily, I haven't noticed any real slow downs, and I use a lot of diverse stuff on this thing.

Anyway, I do think a 7.9" Pro will happen alongside the next round of iPP updates. Be interesting to see how they do it though. I think they will leave the 9.7" the way it is, introduce its clone in the 7.9" screen size and then give the new 10.5" and 12.9" the A10X.

You know what, the more I think about it the more I think there's a good chance of a Pro 7.9". And I think the mini 4 being placed above the 'iPad' in the lineup is kind of positioning it in that position.

The rumours kept pointing to a 10.5" and an iPad mini with Pro features. I feel like all of this could very well point to a refreshed iPad Pro lineup with 3 sizes.

Even when you look at the current line up:
$799 iPad Pro 12.9" (last updated fall 2015)
$599 iPad Pro 9.7" (last updated spring 2016)
$399 iPad mini 4 (last updated fall 2015)
$329 iPad

I kept trying to figure out why they would place the mini 4 as a premium compared to the iPad when they've always used size to differentiate the lineup.

We could very well see the Pros all get updated together this fall:

$799 iPad Pro 12.9"
$599 iPad Pro 10.5"
$399 iPad Pro 7.9" (or some new slightly increased screen size that fits in the same body?)

$299 iPad 9.7"
$199 iPad 7.9" (being hopeful)

 

[JPack]

You know what, the more I think about it the more I think there's a good chance of a Pro 7.9". And I think the mini 4 being placed above the 'iPad' in the lineup is kind of positioning it in that position.

I'm not sure what marketing material you're reading, but it's clear Apple has placed the mini 4 below the iPad in their current product stack.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

 

[profets]

I'm not sure what marketing material you're reading, but it's clear Apple has placed the mini 4 below the iPad in their current product stack.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

I know, I'm just being optimistic. I'm basing it on pricing at the moment like mentioned in my post.

Just saw the article with the iPad7,1->7,4 model numbers that have been seen in some logs. I think that's the most clear sign that in terms of updated Pros we're likely getting just 2x 12.9 and 2x 9.7.

Anyway, still quite peculiar that they decided to price the mini above the iPad 9.7. Maybe it's just simply down to the margin they want on it and the build still being the thinner with laminated display.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

It's pretty clear the iPad mini is the biggest victim from the iPhone 6 Plus launch. I would not expect the mini to get any updates. The chance of the mini receiving a "Pro" treatment is zero. The Pro line is marketed as a "super computer" tablet with a keyboard that fights the Surface.

Removing the 32GB storage option from the mini and leaving just once choice - 128GB - says it all. Apple is trying to maintain a high margin on the stragglers and niche business users who still need to buy a mini for whatever reason. If consumers were interested in mini size tablets, Apple would keep the 32GB size as a gateway product.

Interpreting Apple's future moves with a product launch or update is a crap shoot at best. I interpret the same exact thing the opposite way. If they were just going to leave it the way it was, they would have given it the "New iPad" treatment, with an A9 and just called it "iPad mini".

As it is I think it is pretty obvious they are going to do something with the 7.9" form factor. I would also like to know how it is so clear that the mini is the biggest victim in the iPhone Plus launch??? What evidence even remotely suggests this? The mini sells very well, better than other larger models of iPad according to market analysts, and using an iPad mini is exactly the same experience as using a 9.7" iPad, just with a better PPI. Have you used a Plus iPhone side by side with an iPad mini? Not the same experience at all UI wise...not even close. Where is the split screen multi-tasking for instance??

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks to everyone for posting your thoughts about the future of the mini. I have also read that the mini is a good seller. Maybe there are others in the mini-buying group who like it for its form factor, not because it is cheaper than pro models. I would gladly pay a higher price for an upgraded mini. Based on postings in this thread, I will hold out hope that an updated mini is still not impossible. A girl can hope.

 

[dsr2]

I would definitely have jumped on a new mini with cellular service and traded in my 9.7 pro. With cellular service I could have used it as a secondary communication device where there was no wifi available. I love my 9.7 but I have an iphone 7 and would have loved a bigger option to carry in my purse (the 9.7 is just a tad too big). I'll wait a bit to see if they come up with a pro mini.

 

[Starfia]

Yeah – I'd say be patient until the fall. The first iPad mini originated what is still the current engineering scheme of all iPads, and with all the rumours of another fundamental engineering scheme for the main iPad, I'd think they'd at least want to save a more dramatically different new iPad mini until that moment.

(Either that or they're just killing it, but… I don't know.)

And meanwhile, it's a good time to buy a sub-128GB iPad mini 4 at a good price. Beautiful thing.

 

[MacDarcy]

I'm just upset there hasn't been an iPad mini Pro yet! I'm an artist, and would love to be able to use the Apple Pencil with it. It's my favorite size iPad for portability, and Would make the perfect travel sketchbook.

 

[JPack]

Interpreting Apple's future moves with a product launch or update is a crap shoot at best. I interpret the same exact thing the opposite way. If they were just going to leave it the way it was, they would have given it the "New iPad" treatment, with an A9 and just called it "iPad mini".

As it is I think it is pretty obvious they are going to do something with the 7.9" form factor. I would also like to know how it is so clear that the mini is the biggest victim in the iPhone Plus launch??? What evidence even remotely suggests this? The mini sells very well, better than other larger models of iPad according to market analysts, and using an iPad mini is exactly the same experience as using a 9.7" iPad, just with a better PPI. Have you used a Plus iPhone side by side with an iPad mini? Not the same experience at all UI wise...not even close. Where is the split screen multi-tasking for instance??

The iPad mini is selling so well, Apple cut the 32GB model. How do you interpret that?

Anyone who's familiar with business recognizes this move as the harvesting strategy. Apple doesn't want to slash the price of the 32GB model down to $299 or $249. They're relying on goodwill and brand recognition to carry the high margin 128GB model until they sunset it. Apple is encouraging consumers to move to the iPad (2017). Customers adamant on buying the mini are forced to pay $399 for old hardware.

The iPhone Plus family clearly cannibalized iPad mini sales. The two devices don't have the exact same functions but the Plus performs close enough to substitute the mini. The evidence is the tablet industry shift to 9.7" and larger devices in the past few years which matches the growth in 5.5" smartphones. Or did you think it was a coincidence there are virtually no new 7" or 8" tablets from Apple, Microsoft, or Android manufacturers within the past year?