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iPad Mini 4 still worth it?

profets said:
I’ve been using a mini 4 for almost a year, along with a 12.9” iPad.

I primarily use the mini for reading books, and really really enjoy its size and weight for that purpose. I do use it as an iPad in usual ways as well - messaging, browsing, etc. But compared to my 12.9” iPad and iPhone X it feels relatively slow. Painful at times even.

I don’t think the mini will ever get updated or redesigned (if/when it comes to other iPads). Hope I’m wrong but I think it’s going to slowly get phased out by Apple. I’ll be really disappointed as no other iPad feels as natural for reading books.
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My Mini 4 running on iOS 10.x feels just as snappy as my 12.9 Pro running on 11.x. Based on my experiences with iPads and iOS, the Mini 4 will remain on 10.x for the remainder of it's life.

I agree, that the Mini probably won't get a redesign, but I think it is possible that it will get a processor upgrade in the Fall. It might be like the iPod Touch... doesn't get an update like in forever, and just when everyone collectively concludes it is dead, Apple slips out a minor spec bump. It might come as a surprise to some folk, but they still sell the iPod Touch. :)
 
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sracer said:
My Mini 4 running on iOS 10.x feels just as snappy as my 12.9 Pro running on 11.x. Based on my experiences with iPads and iOS, the Mini 4 will remain on 10.x for the remainder of it's life.

I agree, that the Mini probably won't get a redesign, but I think it is possible that it will get a processor upgrade in the Fall. It might be like the iPod Touch... doesn't get an update like in forever, and just when everyone collectively concludes it is dead, Apple slips out a minor spec bump. It might come as a surprise to some folk, but they still sell the iPod Touch. :)
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Good points. Thankfully the mini 4 does have 2GB of RAM I think right? Unlike the iPhone 6 and iPod touch that have the A8?

We’re coming up on 3 years since the mini 4 and iPod touch received the A8. Maybe we’ll see just a simple cpu update this fall.

My mini 4 is on 11.x, it does run ok, and probably feels quick if you don’t use other devices. But compared to a current iPad Pro or iPhone X it feels so sluggish, lol. For how I use it though it’s definitely ok.
 
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Still considering buying a Mini 4 but just can't quite pull the trigger. An Apple refurb might be a good option, it's $80 cheaper than a new cellular 128gb model but of course you can't use the 0% financing that carriers like AT&T offer for new ones: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/FK762LL/A/refurbished-ipad-mini-4-wi-fi-cellular-128gb-space-gray

Noticed this in the iOS 12 coverage... maybe it's good news for older devices like the Mini 4? https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/05/hands-on-with-ios-12-update/

"Apple has also focused heavily on performance, working from top to bottom to make iPhones faster and more responsive, including older iPhones. Apple has introduced optimizations for all devices, and iOS 12 will work on all iPhones and iPads that are able to run iOS 11."
 
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I'm still on iOS 10.3.3 on on my Mini 4. When it was on beta I tried iOS 11 but there was some stuttering that kept me away from upgrading after beta (IE when returning home, or on multitasking screen). On your experience should I upgrade now? Are those stutters still present? I really want smoothness from my devices (that's why I got a Sony as a phone).
 
grininja said:
I'm still on iOS 10.3.3 on on my Mini 4. When it was on beta I tried iOS 11 but there was some stuttering that kept me away from upgrading after beta (IE when returning home, or on multitasking screen). On your experience should I upgrade now? Are those stutters still present? I really want smoothness from my devices (that's why I got a Sony as a phone).
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I've upgraded to the iOS 12 beta, it actually feels very smooth. It's still a beta so there are bugs and things could change in future releases, but it runs well for a nearly 3 year old device.
 
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profets said:
My mini 4 suddenly feels like a new device on iOS 12 beta. Truly happy to see that it’ll have some enjoyable life left in it.
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What version did you previously have on it? iOS 11? My Mini 4 is still on 10.3 and it is as snappy as the day I first bought it. I'd be quite surprised if the iOS 12 would perform better than that (which is why I'm asking what version you were coming from). :)

grininja said:
I'm still on iOS 10.3.3 on on my Mini 4. When it was on beta I tried iOS 11 but there was some stuttering that kept me away from upgrading after beta (IE when returning home, or on multitasking screen). On your experience should I upgrade now? Are those stutters still present? I really want smoothness from my devices (that's why I got a Sony as a phone).
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If you are running on 10.3.x on your Mini 4 and are content with that, I don't see any reason to install the 12 beta...not unless you want to explore what 12 offers. But keep in mind that if you want to go "back" from the iOS 12 beta you probably will have to go to 11 rather than 10.3. (I'm not sure about that, Apple sometimes changes what older version of iOS is permissible to revert to)
 
sracer said:
What version did you previously have on it? iOS 11? My Mini 4 is still on 10.3 and it is as snappy as the day I first bought it. I'd be quite surprised if the iOS 12 would perform better than that (which is why I'm asking what version you were coming from). :)


If you are running on 10.3.x on your Mini 4 and are content with that, I don't see any reason to install the 12 beta...not unless you want to explore what 12 offers. But keep in mind that if you want to go "back" from the iOS 12 beta you probably will have to go to 11 rather than 10.3. (I'm not sure about that, Apple sometimes changes what older version of iOS is permissible to revert to)
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Yup, was on iOS 11.4. We were chatting in another thread (or maybe it was this one?) where I was talking about the mini 4 feeling sluggish. On iOS 11 it definitely does, waiting a few seconds for certain things to open. I use it quite a bit along with my 2017 Pro, so definite difference in feel to how quick actions and movements around the OS are.

A lot of these actions on iOS 12 really feel fast now. Kind of can't believe it.
 
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I still have iOS 10 on my iPhone 6s+ and it has always felt speedy to me. Played around with a Mini in the Apple Store on iOS 11 and it felt about the same (which surprised me since the 6s+ has newer processor). But if I buy a Mini from Apple today, I assume it will have iOS 11 and I don't think it's possible to downgrade... is it?
 
Boyd01 said:
I still have iOS 10 on my iPhone 6s+ and it has always felt speedy to me. Played around with a Mini in the Apple Store on iOS 11 and it felt about the same (which surprised me since the 6s+ has newer processor). But if I buy a Mini from Apple today, I assume it will have iOS 11 and I don't think it's possible to downgrade... is it?
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Yeah, most likely it'll have 11 installed on it.

The A9 based devices have aged pretty well. I have a 6s I keep around as a backup phone, and my wife has my previous 9.7" Pro. Both run relatively well on iOS 11. I imagine they'll get a few years more worth of updates and do quite good on iOS 12.
 
I've had my Mini 4 for about 2 1/2 years now ( I assume it's not even older than that?) and it still works great, but i dunno about buying one right now. Maybe wait until new iPad line up is announced, as it may get a full update, or slight spec bump, or price reduction.
 
Boyd01 said:
I still have iOS 10 on my iPhone 6s+ and it has always felt speedy to me. Played around with a Mini in the Apple Store on iOS 11 and it felt about the same (which surprised me since the 6s+ has newer processor). But if I buy a Mini from Apple today, I assume it will have iOS 11 and I don't think it's possible to downgrade... is it?
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Yes, if one buys a Mini 4 today it definitely has iOS 11 on it; bought one about a week ago and it had 11.3 on it; I just had to update to the latest, 11.4. I don't believe it is possible to downgrade, as it would be like the Macs, which cannot be loaded with a version of the OS older than whatever it originally came with.
 
profets said:
Yup, was on iOS 11.4. We were chatting in another thread (or maybe it was this one?) where I was talking about the mini 4 feeling sluggish. On iOS 11 it definitely does, waiting a few seconds for certain things to open. I use it quite a bit along with my 2017 Pro, so definite difference in feel to how quick actions and movements around the OS are.

A lot of these actions on iOS 12 really feel fast now. Kind of can't believe it.
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Thanks for the feedback. I think this is the first data point to indicate that iPads with 2GB RAM will continue to be viable for quite some time. (I already knew that when Apple released the 2018 iPad w/2GB but there are some skeptics out there) :)
 
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This gives me hope that even if it doesn’t receive a spec bump it’ll still be a viable device for the next few years
 
I sure hope it has a long life.

My daughter is in a college program that requires a 128 gig mini (nursing) so if it goes away I'm not sure what they will do about that requirement.
 
I currently have a mini 2 I have had it for a year now and it’s still a great device. I am at the latest ios 11.4 and slow downs really don’t bother me. I’m guessing if the 2 got the last update the 4 will be around for a while yet since the 2 is still sorta supported. All thought the 2 was discontinued.
 
I did it, too. Bought an iPad mini 4 last week...
Always waited and hoped like so many of us for a mini 5 or even better a mini pro but whatever.

Was worried about its age but am quite happy and even impressed so far. Really enjoying it.

It also had 11.3 on it and I just updated it to 11.4. Looking forward to the release of iOS 12.

Returned an iPad 2018 to the Apple Store yesterday. It definitely is much snappier and would def. enjoy the pencil but I just love the form factor of the mini so much. Also love how thin and light it is.

Definitely keeping the mini.

...just struggling a tiny bit regarding the LTE version. Right know I have the wifi only one. Thinking about really splurging and getting the LTE esp. after reading the first positive ios12 beta reviews.

Will see. Still have a few days to decide.

Cheers,
Dan
 
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Actually, I already have the 12.9 (second-generation) and 10.5 iPad Pros.....but a couple of specific occasions are coming up where I need the smaller size dimensions and lighter weight of the iPad Mini 4 and so I bought it -- and am enjoying it so much, as the last iPad Mini I had was the Mini 2 some years ago.....this one is faster and snappier. Hadn't realized how much I actually missed that smaller size....

I did go ahead and buy the LTE version, as I figure that if it is something I'll be toting around with me a lot, there are going to be times when I need to get online and there is no WiFi wireless available. Think summertime outdoors and beach activities, for example. I haven't yet gotten around to going over to the AT&T corporate store to add this to my current existing account which has the iPhone and iPad 10.5 already on it, but I need to do that pretty soon. The three devices will then share the GB in my data plan. Also, in the past I have found LTE to come in very handy when we've had a power outage at home. I can still get online if need be.....
 
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Updated my iPad Mini 4 to 11.3.1 in anticipation of the possible jailbreak and regret it since it used to be so smooth on 11.2.x. Im getting random reboots, especially in YouTube but have seen it in other apps. Might update just to try to get rid of the reboot problem.
 
dangeng said:
I did it, too. Bought an iPad mini 4 last week...
Always waited and hoped like so many of us for a mini 5 or even better a mini pro but whatever.

Was worried about its age but am quite happy and even impressed so far. Really enjoying it.

It also had 11.3 on it and I just updated it to 11.4. Looking forward to the release of iOS 12.

Returned an iPad 2018 to the Apple Store yesterday. It definitely is much snappier and would def. enjoy the pencil but I just love the form factor of the mini so much. Also love how thin and light it is.

Definitely keeping the mini.

...just struggling a tiny bit regarding the LTE version. Right know I have the wifi only one. Thinking about really splurging and getting the LTE esp. after reading the first positive ios12 beta reviews.

Will see. Still have a few days to decide.

Cheers,
Dan
Click to expand...


exchange it for LTE version ASAP !
 
Wife pretty much uses my iPad mini 4, miss it like crazy. It’s probably not worth paying the price that retail outlets are trying to sell them for (will just sit in inventory for ever) but it was worth it when purchased and still being used today.
 
I just bought a Mini 4, even knowing the new iPad Pros are coming, I had a 10.5 Pro and I sold it to "downgrade". I never used the bigger one, but I find the Mini the perfect size for what I use an iPad for - media consumption, like Kindle books. I have it on iOS 11 and it runs fine. Not quite as snappy as the Pro, obviously, but more than adequate speed. If an app takes 2 seconds to open on the Pro, it might take 3 to 3.5 on the Mini, the difference is negligible.

As long as you don't plan on video editing or something heavy like that, the Mini is fine.
 
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I am hoping against hope that Apple updates the ipad mini this fall alongside the new ipad pros. I’d love to see an 8.5” ipad mini pro...but i’d take a regular ipad mini with pencil support at this point. Currently using an ipad mini 2 with a cracked screen and broken home button. Still works, but is kinda slow running ios 11. Personally, i wouldn’t get the ipad 4 cause it’s already 3 yrs old, and as much as i prefer the form factor of the ipad mini, it’s just not a smart purchase in my opinion. Yes, i could get by with an ipad mini 4, but i want to do more than just surf the web and watch movies. I really want a significant power bump from my current ipad to edit photos and videos...and 3 yr old tech is not where i want to go. Will wait until the fall ipad event. If no new ipad mini is announced, I will nab the 10.5” ipad pro.
 
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