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iPad mini 4 - the last mini?
- Thread starter chillip
- Start date
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Personally I think so, although I don’t really see why. I switched from an air to a mini 4 last January and I liked the form factor.
On the basis that I’m not expecting a mini 5 I’ve bought a 10.5 pro.
On the basis that I’m not expecting a mini 5 I’ve bought a 10.5 pro.
Apple no longer mentions the mini on the iPad page footer. The 32GB mini was discontinued a few months ago. The writing is on the wall and has been since early this year.
The 128GB model being the only one available is rather an odd strategy, it’s almost like that’s all that was left around in inventory.
People wanting the mini 4 either prioritise price or size, so by having the 128GB model as the only one it pretty much pushes those price sensitive customers to the 2017 iPad. It’s like they want the mini sales to die off.
People wanting the mini 4 either prioritise price or size, so by having the 128GB model as the only one it pretty much pushes those price sensitive customers to the 2017 iPad. It’s like they want the mini sales to die off.
Yup, having an SKU for your supposedly entry level model to be higher priced than your mid range offering is an odd strategy.
I am a fan of the mini. My mini 2 has been my only iPad ever since I bought it. It will be sad seeing Apple not continuing the lineup (and I don't want to only upgrade to an A8 today).
Nown I am thinking of adjusting my device lineup. I am planning to get the 10.5 to replace my MacBook Air, and I have to decide if I want to get a Plus iPhone next when I upgrade to replace my regular sized iPhone and ipad mini 2.
I am a fan of the mini. My mini 2 has been my only iPad ever since I bought it. It will be sad seeing Apple not continuing the lineup (and I don't want to only upgrade to an A8 today).
Nown I am thinking of adjusting my device lineup. I am planning to get the 10.5 to replace my MacBook Air, and I have to decide if I want to get a Plus iPhone next when I upgrade to replace my regular sized iPhone and ipad mini 2.
What I find particularly odd about the single 128GB SKU is that the iPod touch, which is essentially a physically smaller version of the mini, and treated the same in how often it seems to get updates, still exists with 4 storage options. I don’t even think any other iOS devices are available with 4 storage tiers?
Discontinued, probably not.
Zombie mode, probably yes.
The iPod is a gateway product into the App Store and the iPhone for future revenue. Children and parents can afford the $199 price tag.
Unlike the iPad mini, it's a high margin product and there are good reasons for it to exist.
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It's actually quite logical if you understand who the current iPad mini users are. They are educators, commercial, and retail users. The typical consumer has a phablet or will be upgrading to one soon. Those consumers wants a 9.7" tablet.
The educators want 128 GB because the iPad can be partitioned to support a dozen students. A 32 GB device would only support a handful of student profiles.
The commercial and retail users using iPad mini as an inventory recorder, magnetic stripe reader, or point of sale device are forced to buy 128 GB. They have no choice but to pay Apple for the form factor.
If the Mini 4 does end up being the end of the line I'm not sure what my next tablet will be... Maybe I won't buy another.
I guess time will tell. Fortunately I still consider my Mini 4 to be a very good tablet for my needs, so I have no dire need to replace it.
I guess time will tell. Fortunately I still consider my Mini 4 to be a very good tablet for my needs, so I have no dire need to replace it.
I reckon the iPad mini sales have already died off and been cannibalized by phablets. Offering a single 128GB model forces customers who prefer the 7.9" form factor to pay a premium for that size increasing Apple's profit margins.
I don't think anyone knows either way. As long as my mini iPad works for me, I'm going to use it, enjoy it, and not worry too much about the future.
I'm actually still contemplating an iPad mini purchase. Maybe I should grab one soon before they're discontinued. Something I should have done with the iPod Classic before they discontinued that. Still mad about not grabbing one of those.
It's widely believed that the mini has been the main contributing factor behind the sales declines. The 9.7 and 12.9 sizes have been selling well, but the mini market has been taken over by the Plus model iPhones. If Apple really does discontinue it, that will be why. I truly believe the declines are going to level off soon, and the mini will probably stick around for a bit. It will possibly get a couple of price cuts over time, and then when they stop supporting it with software it will be discontinued without much ceremony.
Just my prediction. I always loved the iPad mini form factor and my wife still uses my old mini 3 daily. I'd be sad to see it go. But even my wife, who loves her mini to death, is thinking she might ditch it for a Plus sized iPhone this year when the new ones come out.
Just my prediction. I always loved the iPad mini form factor and my wife still uses my old mini 3 daily. I'd be sad to see it go. But even my wife, who loves her mini to death, is thinking she might ditch it for a Plus sized iPhone this year when the new ones come out.
Grabbed one when Best Buy had the 128GB on sale for $299.
I acknowledge the mini sales have probably been impacted by the plus sized phones, but as someone who has a 7+ and a mini I find the size difference pretty big and the aspect ratio makes a big difference too.
The size difference IS substantial, but at some point the narrative in the tech press became, "The Plus is almost as big as the iPad mini" and now that's the perception. I completely disagree with it, but there it is.
I agree. The Mini and Touch have been ultimately cannibalized by the iPhone.
I have both and I'm getting rid of my mini (it's for my nephew) in favour of the new iPad pro.
I liked having the mini, the form factor, weight and thickness were perfect. But with the 7+ I use it less and less.
But it will be sad seeing the mini go as it has it's own niche AND it's a MUCH better gaming device than the regular iPad form!
It comes down to the "good enough" principle.
I don't think anyone credible is claiming phablets have a display almost as big as iPad mini. The idea is phablets are good enough to replace an iPad mini. Smartphones are good enough to replace a point & shoot camera with optical zoom. iPad Pro is becoming good enough to replace a MacBook for many people.
Rumors are that once they eliminate the bezels from the iPhone, the iPhone Plus model will grow to a screen size of over 6". With that size iPhone available, i don't know if it makes sense for them to have a 7.9" iPad anymore.
Aspect ratio. The 16:9 aspect ratio on iPhones may be better for video but I prefer the 4:3 iPad mini for web browsing, PDF, etc.
Not to mention that the Mini runs tablet versions of apps, and with iOS 11 will have access to many iPad only features that plus sized phones won't be able to take advantage of. All things considered, in my opinion a large phone is still no substitute for a small tablet, but maybe that's just me.