All iPads iPad form factors completely off

[plusacht]

I honestly don't understand the iPad form factors out there, not even touching on similar features. Why we are having an 8.3" (mini) and almost 2 identical iPads (Air and Pro) in form factor (10.9" and 11") but nothing in between? Why is there no 9.5" or 10". I just sold my mini 8.3" which is too small and bought an Air 10.9" which I realized is too heavy and big?

Maybe someone can shine some light on the decisions on the form factor to me that I can understand this mess.

 

[rui no onna]

I honestly don't understand the iPad form factors out there, not even touching on similar features. Why we are having an 8.3" (mini) and almost 2 identical iPads (Air and Pro) in form factor (10.9" and 11") but nothing in between? Why is there no 9.5" or 10". I just sold my mini 8.3" which is too small and bought an Air 10.9" which I realized is too heavy and big?

Maybe someone can shine some light on the decisions on the form factor to me that I can understand this mess.

There's the 10.2" iPad ($329). Granted, chassis is around the same size as 10.9" Air and 11" Pro.

Iirc, Apple went from 9.7" to 10.5" so the Smart Keyboard would be easier to type on. They've kept that same landscape width in succeeding generations. I expect the upcoming iPad 10th gen will have a very similar chassis to the Air 5/Pro 11. This would make it compatible with existing accessories such as the Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard.

I expect the 10-11" size class is their most popular size, hence they have more options for it to cover good ($329 iPad), better ($599 Air) and best ($799 Pro 11).

 

[chabig]

Too many choices leads buyers to paralysis, an inability to make any choice at all. The choices Apple offers fit the bill for most buyers. Offering four sizes at 8.3", 9.5", 10", and 11" would be difficult logistically to produce, ship, and sell. Do you really think there is much difference between 9.5" and 10"?

 

[plusacht]

Too many choices leads buyers to paralysis, an inability to make any choice at all. The choices Apple offers fit the bill for most buyers. Offering four sizes at 8.3", 9.5", 10", and 11" would be difficult logistically to produce, ship, and sell. Do you really think there is much difference between 9.5" and 10"?

No there isn't - I think 9.5" or 10" would be great. Full line up: 8.3", 10", 11"

 

[plusacht]

There's the 10.2" iPad ($329). Granted, chassis is around the same size as 10.9" Air and 11" Pro.

Iirc, Apple went from 9.7" to 10.5" so the Smart Keyboard would be easier to type on. They've kept that same landscape width in succeeding generations. I expect the upcoming iPad 10th gen will have a very similar chassis to the Air 5/Pro 11. This would make it compatible with existing accessories such as the Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard.

I expect the 10-11" size class is their most popular size, hence they have more options for it to cover good ($329 iPad), better ($599 Air) and best ($799 Pro 11).

Sadly u might be right...

 

[rui no onna]

Too many choices leads buyers to paralysis, an inability to make any choice at all. The choices Apple offers fit the bill for most buyers. Offering four sizes at 8.3", 9.5", 10", and 11" would be difficult logistically to produce, ship, and sell. Do you really think there is much difference between 9.5" and 10"?

I've had the 9.7" iPads and the difference between that and the 10.2"/10.5" is actually quite noticeable.

The 9.7" can be made significantly smaller if you ditch the larger bezels with home button. As you've noted though, I don't think Apple's interested in introducing yet another iPad in-between the mini and existing 10-11" models. There are folks who are already complaining about the iPad line-up being too complicated already.

 

[plusacht]

I've had the 9.7" iPads and the difference between that and the 10.2"/10.5" is actually quite noticeable.

The 9.7" can be made significantly smaller if you ditch the larger bezels with home button. As you've noted though, I don't think Apple's interested in introducing yet another iPad in-between the mini and existing 10-11" models. There are folks who are already complaining about the iPad line-up being too complicated already.

I mean only going for 10"+ sizes to sell more accessories might be the right thing to do in terms of shareholder value but certainly not what customers want. My point to be clear is we don't need a 10.9 and 11" at the same time, I would rather go for a 10" or even a 9.7" as you stated

 

[cupcakes2000]

Well I think they should go even bigger, I wish they would offer a 17”.

 

[rui no onna]

I mean only going for 10"+ sizes to sell more accessories might be the right thing to do in terms of shareholder value but certainly not what customers want. My point to be clear is we don't need a 10.9 and 11" at the same time, I would rather go for a 10" or even a 9.7" as you stated

The 10.9 and 11 isn't really to create a different size. It's just to differentiate slightly lower end from higher end products. For all practical purposes, they're pretty much the same.

As for what customers want, I expect those wanting an in-between are the minority. Most of Apple's iPad customers are likely fine with the current options.

What one sees in MR doesn't usually translate to the real world. If you go by MR forums, you would think there's huge, huge demand for small premium iPhones. Alas, iPhone mini sales don't really support that.

 

[sparksd]

The 10.9 and 11 isn't really to create a different size. It's just to differentiate slightly lower end from higher end products. For all practical purposes, they're pretty much the same.

As for what customers want, I expect those wanting an in-between are the minority. Most of Apple's iPad customers are likely fine with the current options.

What one sees in MR doesn't usually translate to the real world. If you go by MR forums, you would think there's huge, huge demand for small premium iPhones. Alas, iPhone mini sales don't really support that.

Forums for products tend to overrepresent niche elements of markets - "enthusiasts" with deep and specialized interests as opposed to the general marketplace.

 

[Digitalguy]

The basic complaint here is about size and weight. The OP would like something like a modern version of the 9.7 iPad. It's a bit like me finding the iPhone mini too small but the standard iPhone a tad too big, my ideal size being 5.8in. Unfortunately it's no longer an option and I am guess most people are happier with 6.1 (especially in a world where even that is considered small). I think Apple has moved on from 9.7 or from 5.8 phones for that matter.
And while some of us found those sizes our Goldilocks, most people don't agree with us, and that's like, so it's up to us to get the closed thing to that ideal size (and weight).
PS by the way I don't use an iPhone, but Samsung has the exact same situation, no longer makes my current 5.8in device and only makes a 6.1in one in the S22

 

[rui no onna]

The basic complaint here is about size and weight. The OP would like something like a modern version of the 9.7 iPad. It's a bit like me finding the iPhone mini too small but the standard iPhone a tad too big, my ideal size being 5.8in. Unfortunately it's no longer an option and I am guess most people are happier with 6.1 (especially in a world where even that is considered small). I think Apple has moved on from 9.7 or from 5.8 phones for that matter.
And while some of us found those sizes our Goldilocks, most people don't agree with us, and that's like, so it's up to us to get the closed thing to that ideal size (and weight).

Yeah, would’ve preferred 5.8” iPhone X size as well. That’s almost the same size as the 4.7” iPhone which I’m very comfortable with. The iPhone mini is just too narrow for my taste while the 6.1” is too big for my comfort.

I was considering getting the iPhone 11 Pro but OLED PWM is a no go for me.

 

[plusacht]

Rumors are that the next iPad will be a 10.5". So we will have 3 iPad's ranging from 10.5" to 10.9" to 11" - why not one which can be just 10"

 

[rui no onna]

Rumors are that the next iPad will be a 10.5". So we will have 3 iPad's ranging from 10.5" to 10.9" to 11" - why not one which can be just 10"

Existing line up is already 10.2, 10.9 and 11. The 10.5 just replaces the 10.2.

As mentioned, Apple likely wants to keep overall chassis similar for accessories compatibility.

 

[turbineseaplane]

9.7” iPad Pro remains my personal favorite iPad of all time.

Fantastic form factor with very grippable bezels and all the best/flagship features when it was new.

If it had more RAM, I’d possibly still be using it.

 

[thv]

At some point you have to realize not every product is tailor made for you. They already have five sizes.

You're comparing 10.9 and 11 as if they're the same product, Apple isn't going to cut down its Pro market so tiny amount of people can have another smaller size

 

[Tagbert]

I honestly don't understand the iPad form factors out there, not even touching on similar features. Why we are having an 8.3" (mini) and almost 2 identical iPads (Air and Pro) in form factor (10.9" and 11") but nothing in between? Why is there no 9.5" or 10". I just sold my mini 8.3" which is too small and bought an Air 10.9" which I realized is too heavy and big?

Maybe someone can shine some light on the decisions on the form factor to me that I can understand this mess.

The iPad line looks like a product line undergoing transition. They are shifting devices to be larger but not all devices are moving at the same time so you get some weird overlaps.

There was a reasonable power difference between the 11” iPP with M1 and the 11” Air with A-series chip. But when they put the M1 in the Air, that got messed up again.

 

[spiderman0616]

I still think the iPad Air and MacBook Air need to be rebranded to neaten up the product line. Apple has had some great opportunities to do so, and just haven't in my opinion. For example, the MacBook "Air" branding could have gone away when the wedge went away, but they kept it. I would have just called it "MacBook" and retired the "Air" part. Maybe create a MacBook SE or something later, if you want to make something more affordable for schools.

I think Apple is skittish on dropping the Air moniker because it's such a beloved brand. People just know that "Air" somehow means "the middle one". It makes zero sense to me, but I'm not in marketing, so......

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Apple's iPad form factors are actually quite shrewd.

While the 12.9" was my choice given that it is my primary device and I'm willing to pay Mac prices for it, I find that the 10.9" Air is the sweet spot.

It is all-day hand hold-able, M1 power, USB-C, TouchID, a basic rear camera, a decent screen, and excellent overall dimensions. It is the MBA of iPads.

And Apple is not doing the same as with Macs; the MBA is the BASE Mac laptop where with the iPads Apple has been able to target different user types better, depending on what they shop for: portability, power, price, features, etc.

There's an iPad for everyone, each sharing a certain capability base with features added based on the above shopping criteria.