iPad From Ipad Pro to Ipad Mini 6? Feedback please

[Kiki_box]

I finally bought it today as I could not wait any longer And of course I had in mind that I could send it back if I didn't enjoy it. But I have to say that the Ipad Mini is great. All my questions were answered after a day of use. Everything I did with my Pro, I can still do with my mini without finding it hard. It is a great device and much more convenient to use when writing. I can hold it in my hand while scribbling some notes. I could hardly feel any difference even though it is not ProMotion. Otherwise, I find that reading is excellent, like a kindle. Watching video too. The sound is not as the Pro but still a great quality. So I am selling my Ipad Pro as I don't see why I would use it now

 

[preetb]

Replaced my mini 5 with the mini 6 and have decided to keep my Pro 11. The reason is two different use cases: 1) mini for on the go consumption and minor note taking and 2) Pro for serious consumption of science documents with annotations and note taking. The mini screen size isn't suited for that.

The hyping of going from 7.9 to 8.3 inch diagonal screen for the mini is exactly that, hype. Makes no discernible difference in my use cases.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Just got my iPad mini but I did a couple of Geekbench benchmarks to compare with my 2020 A12Z 11” iPad Pro.

	2020 iPad Pro	2021 iPad mini 6
Single core	1121	1594
Multi core	4686	4550
Metal compute	12332	13679

It’s pretty wild that the Mini’s A15 destroys the A12X and A12Z in single core - and also runs them really close in multi core.

 

[calstanford]

Form factor is great but the screen is so awful, you'll likely send it back. Especially when coming from a brighter, more saturated, higher contrast, no screen tearing/jello effect, 120Hz display to the cheap crap they sadly put into the Mini. Pity really. I'd trade performance for a better screen. Not buying this thing to be a render farm, but buying it to look at it for hours.

 

[ascender]

I've changed some of the icon and text sizes as I'm finding parts of the UI really fiddly. I'm finding it brilliant for taking notes and as an e-reader, but am doing an awful lot of zooming-in and rotating when reading web pages to get the text to a suitable size.

Jury is still out for me.

I'm used to the change in screen technology though coming from a Pro now although it was quite jarring at first.

 

[Digitalguy]

It’s pretty wild that the Mini’s A15 destroys the A12X and A12Z in single core - and also runs them really close in multi core.

I would say it's normal, single core in A12X/Z is the same as A12, which is 3 generations older. More like it's surprising that A15 improved so little over A14, but then the reason is that there was no jump in die size, still 5nm.
As for multicore, that's a bigger jump since the X/Z variants have double the performance cores and it's probably due to the bigger contribution from efficiency cores

 

[xraydoc]

I would say it's normal, single core in A12X/Z is the same as A12, which is 3 generations older. More like it's surprising that A15 improved so little over A14, but then the reason is that there was no jump in die size, still 5nm.
As for multicore, that's a bigger jump since the X/Z variants have double the performance cores and it's probably due to the bigger contribution from efficiency cores

The mini 6 is using a downclocked A15 as compared with the phones using the same chip, likely either to improve battery life (which isn’t stellar on the mini 6) or to keep costs down (Apple can re-use the A15s that aren’t up to running at full clock speed instead of discarding them). Or both.

 

[Digitalguy]

The mini 6 is using a downclocked A15 as compared with the phones using the same chip, likely either to improve battery life (which isn’t stellar on the mini 6) or to keep costs down (Apple can re-use the A15s that aren’t up to running at full clock speed instead of discarding them). Or both.

I know but the difference is not big, what's more the mini 5 can hold the performance better than the iPhone, probably because it's clocked lower, so it will underperform in benchmarks like geekbench but may actually outperform the iPhone under sustained load....
In general this kind of performance difference is not something anyone can notice in normal use (vs the gap compared to A12, which can be felt, even though it doesn't change the experience radically, or the much bigger gap between the mini 4 or 5, which makes the difference night and day...)

 

[nepats81]

Just ordered a mini to replace my 10.5 inch pro. Good decision?

 

[Digitalguy]

Just ordered a mini to replace my 10.5 inch pro. Good decision?

It depends on your priorities, if you are ok with (or even prefer) a smaller size and with losing promotion and quad speakers, you are gaining virtually everywhere else (USB C, pencil, CPU/GPU), with RAM staying the same...

 

[Fozziebear40]

Just ordered a mini to replace my 10.5 inch pro. Good decision?

I sold my 10.5 pro to get a Mini 6. A good decision for the form factor, love it, but.... it's going back, the screen is meh! Worse than a Mini 5.

 

[840quadra]

Used it at an event last afternoon and am now 100% sold on it. I don’t see myself using anything else for run-n-gun photo / video work trackside anymore.

it fits in my cargo pants, copies photos down from a camera far faster than my iPhone, processed them quickly, and I was able to airdrop or iMessage photos and lightly edited videos on the fly. For the promoter who’s event I was working, it was a great fit.

I cannot echo the complains on the screen. I understand and see it doesn’t have pro motion, however the only times it is even apparent is when I am deliberately comparing scroll smoothness between this and my pro. None of my other devices have this technology, so it is not a deal breaker for me. The screen is bright, has good viewing angles, great color reproduction, and the width it has over a Max iphone, makes it a far better pocket photo editor as compared to my phone.

Still really happy, now time for me to shop for a case.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not buying this thing to be a render farm, but buying it to look at it for hours.

So true and so frustrating..
The screen is arguably the most important component of any iPad, but particularly a small iPad.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just ordered a mini to replace my 10.5 inch pro. Good decision?

In terms of screen quality - definitely not.
but I assume other factors were involed?

 

[estabya]

Form factor is great but the screen is so awful, you'll likely send it back. Especially when coming from a brighter, more saturated, higher contrast, no screen tearing/jello effect, 120Hz display to the cheap crap they sadly put into the Mini. Pity really. I'd trade performance for a better screen. Not buying this thing to be a render farm, but buying it to look at it for hours.

I just must be a lot less sensitive to this sort of thing than most of you. I’m coming from a 2018 11” pro that I’ve used since release, and the screen on the mini isn’t discernibly worse to me other than the obvious lack of pro-motion. I was worried about the screen but have been pleasantly surprised.

 

[840quadra]

Just ordered a mini to replace my 10.5 inch pro. Good decision?

Yes, it is a solid device with a great screen that only lacks Pro-Motion as compared to the Pro you have.

It depends on your priorities, if you are ok with (or even prefer) a smaller size and with losing promotion and quad speakers, you are gaining virtually everywhere else (USB C, pencil, CPU/GPU), with RAM staying the same...

I haven’t tested in any tangible way, however the speakers on my new Mini do sound better than the quads on my 10.5. Clearly the 11” model does sound significantly better, but the Mini isn’t too shabby.

So true and so frustrating..
The screen is arguably the most important component of any iPad, but particularly a small iPad.

I disagree with your and @calstanford with regards to the screen being “crap” on these new minis. Let’s not forget this isn’t considered a Pro model, more of a mini iPad Air.


As compared to the OG 11” I currently own, the screen quality (minus pro motion) is nearly on par with that generation iPad Pro. Sure the 11” is better in a few key areas, however if you don’t need 120Hz, or more nits (don’t use it in direct sun as much) it is still a great device. Screen tearing has not been witnessed on mine during standard browsing, video editing nor gaming. I use the device for detailed photo edits, and it compares well to the 11” and I’d dare say better than the much older 10.5 iPad I still have around with it’s blotchy display that isn’t aging well. Kinda sad considering the original price I paid for it .

Clearly the pros are better equipped, however the new Mini isn’t exactly trash bin worthy with it’s decent display given the price delta.

iPad spec	10.5 Pro	11” Pro (1st Gen)	iPad Mini 6th Gen
Screen Resolution	2224 x 1668	2388 x 1688	2666 x 1488
Screen PPI	264	264	326
nits (Brightness)	600 (Macworld)	600	500
Reflectivity	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%
True Tone	yes	yes	yes
Display P3	yes	yes	yes
Contrast ratio	1626:1 (Notebookcheck)	1772:1 (anandtech)	1200:1 (macworld)
Hz	120	120	60

I would love for them to upgrade the display tech to match the Pro ipads, hell even make a Mini LED, or AMOLED version, but, we don’t have it, and I personally don’t have an issue with the current screen. After detail editing (not batch) over 300 RAW photos on mine, I find the display quite good, especially cosidering the price delta between the new Pro and the latest Mini, and the fact that the Pro can’t fit in most pockets or sling bags as easily.

 

[Htsi]

This screen thing is totally person dependent. There is no one right answer till you try it. The M1 Air’s screen looked trash vs my 12.9 2018, so i returned it. But not everyone thinks the air has a bad screen.

 

[840quadra]

This screen thing is totally person dependent. There is no one right answer till you try it. The M1 Air’s screen looked trash vs my 12.9 2018, so i returned it. But not everyone thinks the air has a bad screen.

Totally valid point, I think that’s going to be case with anything technology screen or audio related. That said I don’t think there’s as much of a difference between these iPad screens as there was between your iPad and the MacBook Air.

The personal viewpoint is exactly why I suggested the original poster test drive the new mini themselves. Everyone’s mileage may vary.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I disagree with your and @calstanford with regards to the screen being “crap” on these new minis. Let’s not forget this isn’t considered a Pro model, more of a mini iPad Air.

Please quote the post where I called the screen “crap”
I did not say that.

Please edit your post above and don’t put words in my mouth.
thank you

 

[Mobileadam]

Given I don't use my 11" Pro that much these days (12.9 with MK) I've enjoyed the Mini6 for the last couple of days but as always it is about how it fits into my every day. The screen is small, and as someone has said the touch targets seem tiny. It is fast though so that is good to see - I have really enjoyed using scribble for the first time. Wouldn't bother with 12.9 as on keyboard and for 11 again on screen keyboard was always there so why bother. But with the Mini I can scribble away init adds real value. I use a planner software called iDoceo and I can easily scribble lesson plans and notes in the little lesson boxes and everything transcribe very well.

I never had a problem with the bulk of 11" and carrying it around school and it was the device I took on holiday so I'll see how the mini holds up.

I find Google search results terrible on the mini though. It improves with 115% zoom but I was expecting far better rendering and less small text. Also have issues with The Times app in that pages don't scroll but I'm sure they will fix that. On reading magazine it is easier to hold but then it is also more difficult to actually read as it is

 

[840quadra]

Please quote the post where I called the screen “crap”
I did not say that.

Please edit your post above and don’t put words in my mouth.
thank you

Actually if you read my post you will see I @ mentioned the individual you quoted who did say that, I didn’t mean you specifically said that, if you are taking it personally, I apologize.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Actually if you read my post you will see I @ mentioned the individual you quoted who did say that, I didn’t mean you specifically said that, if you are taking it personally, I apologize.

thank you for clarifying ??

 

[wilberforce]

I sold my 10.5 pro to get a Mini 6. A good decision for the form factor, love it, but.... it's going back, the screen is meh! Worse than a Mini 5.

View attachment 1848846

This is a great photo comparison.
I would be interested to see how they compare with True Tone turned off on both. I feel like the True Tone adjustment is more aggressive on the Mini 6 than on my other Apple devices that have true tone.
My old iPad Mini 2 does not have true tone, but comparing without true tone the Mini 6 screen is better than the Mini 2 screen (Mini 6 is slightly brighter and has a more uniform backlight, and sharpness is identical, when at full brightness without true tone or night shift)

 

[H_D]

Coming from Mini4 and IPP 11 2018 to the Mini6, it feels like a solid blend of these devices, like a Mini-iPadPro from 18 ;-). The lack of promotion is not such a factor, the strangely slow USB neither as most file transfers are WiFi, going back to TouchID is a big plus for this device (FaceID sucks while reading in the dark ;-)). As a reader for books, comics and even magazines it’s perfect, Video is okay (better on 11”), taking notes is great but the pen-on-glass-feeling still is terrible (much better on the Remarkable2). For typing and a bit of more serious work the Pro is better with the Keyboard case attached, but frankly, it never came close to what can be done with the MBP (which feels lighter than iPad plus Magic Keyboard) especially now that many iOS Apps work with M1. Most apps aren‘t good enough, not even close to the desktop experience. And as a device for consuming media the smaller form factor is a gamechanger. I would have loved a Mini-Pro with 512 GB, M1, Promotion etc, but considering the price and battery performance the Mini6 is a great, FUN experience.

 

[wilberforce]

Coming from Mini4 and IPP 11 2018... (FaceID sucks while reading in the dark...

Interesting that is your experience. On my IPP 11 2018, Face ID works perfectly in the dark. In fact, I am always amazed how well it works in the dark.

Agree with all your other points!