iPad mini iPad mini 5 specs

[iOSpecialist]

Hey guys, I'm really hoping Apple will make another mini sized iPad sometime soon. I love the portability of my iPad mini 4 and it can handle most apps like a beast.

What do you think the next iPad mini will be like (assuming it will be released in spring 2017)?
This is not for you to tell me about your dream iPad. Please make realistic estimates about what the 2017 iPad mini will be like.

This is my personal prediction:

-Same resolution display, now with true tone and better colour gamut
-2nd gen Touch ID, traditional home button (not like the iPhone 7)
-12mp back camera with flash (capable of Live Photos and 4K video), probably 5mp front facing camera.
-A9 or A9X chip
-Same 6.1 mm thickness, don't really know whether it'll have 2 or 4 speakers.
- 2 to 4 microphones
-Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0

Do you guys have anything to add or even disagree with me on anything? I'd be happy to read what you all have to say! Having a friendly arguement here would be cool too.

 

[Septembersrain]

I'm thinking they might put the quad speakers in them.

That's the only prediction I've really got seeing as the sound quality on all previous Mini models has been lackluster.

In my opinion.

 

[44267547]

Hey guys, I'm really hoping Apple will make another mini sized iPad sometime soon. I love the portability of my iPad mini 4 and it can handle most apps like a beast.

What do you think the next iPad mini will be like (assuming it will be released in spring 2017)?
This is not for you to tell me about your dream iPad. Please make realistic estimates about what the 2017 iPad mini will be like.

This is my personal prediction:

-Same resolution display, now with true tone and better colour gamut
-2nd gen Touch ID, traditional home button (not like the iPhone 7)
-12mp back camera with flash (capable of Live Photos and 4K video), probably 5mp front facing camera.
-A9 or A9X chip
-Same 6.1 mm thickness, don't really know whether it'll have 2 or 4 speakers.
- 2 to 4 microphones
-Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0

Do you guys have anything to add or even disagree with me on anything? I'd be happy to read what you all have to say! Having a friendly arguement here would be cool too.

Truthfully, I don't see the iPad Mini receiving an update or a complete revamp. Mainly because of where the iPad line is currently with the Pro line and the purported 10.5 inch iPad rumored to debut within the next six months or so.

Part of me also believes that the way the iPhone is and how larger displays are becoming more popular, I feel it ultimately is replacing the Mini in some respects. Now it's rumored Apple might release a 5.8 inch OLED iPhone in the future.

I know some may disagree, but ultimately our iPhones have replaced what the Mini is, even though I think there is a strong following that's still really appreciate the iPad Mini, which is still a great device.

More so on topic, I think if the Mini did receive an update, 3D Touch would be a really nice shortcut and convenience factor for a smaller display like the Mini. I would really like to see something like that implemented into the iPad mini.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Either it will be a clone of the current 9.7" iPad Pro in every way (except probably get the A9 and not A9X if we know Apple at all...) and also be called iPad Pro, or we won't get one. Hoping of course for the former

 

[MikeAK]

I think they will, but not until the fall.

 

[JPack]

No iPad mini will be released this year. It would be too cheap and not enough demand.

Think about Apple's strategy. How would they price a refreshed mini? It would have to be less than the $329 iPad, which would be too low for Apple's high margin strategy. Look at the story of the iPad mini 4. Instead of chopping the price of the 32GB mini 4, Apple simply EOL'ed it. They don't want to fight for scraps with Android devices.

The iPhone 6 Plus killed the iPad mini, which is ok because Apple would rather sell high margin phones rather than low margin tablets.

Until bezel-less display technology is cheap enough, you won't see another "mini" iPad. When they can fit a 9" display into a mini chassis at the right price, then they'll bring it back.

 

[Abazigal]

I honestly feel the iPad mini is as good as dead.

 

[oldmacs]

Hopefully it gets another update. A company with the cash Apple has should be spec bumping its entire range every year with new processors/Ram.

I had an iPad mini 2 and loved the size, however could not afford to have a big enough model so used it alongside my iPad 2 and ended up selling the Mini to my dad and going back to the iPad 2 (which is 64GB).

I personally find the iPhone + models too big to be a good phone and too small to be an effective tablet, though everyone's use case is different. I think Apple still sells enough Minis to justify an update.

 

[Rava]

No iPad mini will be released this year. It would be too cheap and not enough demand.

Think about Apple's strategy. How would they price a refreshed mini? It would have to be less than the $329 iPad, which would be too low for Apple's high margin strategy. Look at the story of the iPad mini 4. Instead of chopping the price of the 32GB mini 4, Apple simply EOL'ed it. They don't want to fight for scraps with Android devices.

It doesn't have to be cheap. Load up the Mini with the latest specs and price it the same as the Pro. Smaller doesn't have to mean cheaper, it used to cost a premium to get a smaller laptop over a bigger one because the smaller device would weigh less and be more portable. The cheap Mini 4 will still be there for the crowd that wants a cheap, smaller tablet and the new Mini for those of us who want a premium tablet in the small form factor. This will mirror the 9.7 inch line where there is the cheaper iPad and the iPad Pro.

 

[JPack]

It doesn't have to be cheap. Load up the Mini with the latest specs and price it the same as the Pro. Smaller doesn't have to mean cheaper, it used to cost a premium to get a smaller laptop over a bigger one because the smaller device would weigh less and be more portable. The cheap Mini 4 will still be there for the crowd that wants a cheap, smaller tablet and the new Mini for those of us who want a premium tablet in the small form factor. This will mirror the 9.7 inch line where there is the cheaper iPad and the iPad Pro.

The problem is a 7.9" mini tablet has poor usability as a Pro device. Physical limitations prevent the mini from being a Pro tablet.

The whole idea behind Pro is that consumers can attach a keyboard, multitask, draw, and create content. You can only do half of those things comfortably on a 7.9" display. Business users won't fork out $399 or $499 for a novelty device. It ends up being a consumer device. And we already know consumers are unwilling to pay for a small tablet when they already own a big smartphone.

Small notebook computers used to be more expensive because there was a big advantage in portability. Today, netbooks and Chromebooks are 10" and 12" devices that weigh 2-3 lbs. Between the iPad (2017) and iPad mini 4, the difference is about 0.4 lbs. It's negligible for such a big increase in display area.

 

[Mw0103]

I honestly feel the iPad mini is as good as dead.

So; to answer the thread title, specs will be:

Weight: 0 lbs
Height: 0 mm
width: 0 mm
depth: 0 mm

"It's the thinnest and lightest iPad yet!"

 

[gobikerider]

Either it will be a clone of the current 9.7" iPad Pro in every way (except probably get the A9 and not A9X if we know Apple at all...) and also be called iPad Pro, or we won't get one. Hoping of course for the former

I agree the Mini will never receive a X series A processor. It isn't big enough to dissipate the heat or hold battery capacity needed for it to hit 10 hours

 

[Rava]

The problem is a 7.9" mini tablet has poor usability as a Pro device. Physical limitations prevent the mini from being a Pro tablet.

The whole idea behind Pro is that consumers can attach a keyboard, multitask, draw, and create content. You can only do half of those things comfortably on a 7.9" display. Business users won't fork out $399 or $499 for a novelty device. It ends up being a consumer device. And we already know consumers are unwilling to pay for a small tablet when they already own a big smartphone.

Small notebook computers used to be more expensive because there was a big advantage in portability. Today, netbooks and Chromebooks are 10" and 12" devices that weigh 2-3 lbs. Between the iPad (2017) and iPad mini 4, the difference is about 0.4 lbs. It's negligible for such a big increase in display area.

That's a fair point. I don't think there is no use for a Pro Mini, as I've seen several requests for pencil support to use it as a notepad. But yeah, the type of professionals Apple is trying to target probably would prefer a bigger screen.

I do think there is use for a up-to-spec, premium iPad Mini though, it just might not be aimed at the Pro market. I personally would like a higher powered mini primarily for future proofing. I'd like to update my four year old iPad Mini 2 and would rather not buy a Mini with a three year old processor. Even with the price drop it's hard to justify. I think many of the others who are waiting for a new Mini would say the same. The Mini is in a weird place right now where it's not the cheapest iPad, so it won't appeal to customers who only buy on price, but it's also out of date, so customers who want a premium model won't buy it either.

As for the size, the mini is still a fair bit bigger than an iphone plus. More importantly, there are a lot of regular-sized iphone users who could still have use for a mini tablet. I use my mini mostly for reading, web browsing, games and netflix, but I use it for long periods of time. I would not want to read for hours or watch a movie on my phone, and the 9.7 tablet is a little too heavy and cumbersome to be comfortable for longer periods.

 

[MacDarcy]

I currently use an iPad mini 2 that is barely hanging in there. The home button doesn't work anymore and Apple won't repair it. So I went into settings and created a virtual home button. It's a PITA, but workable. I definitely want to upgrade to a Pro model. Not only for the speed, but to be able to use the Apple Pencil since I am an artist. The iPad mini is still the perfect size for me. So I'm hoping Apple releases an iPad mini Pro when they finally announce new Pro iPads.

Could be a long wait tho.

 

[joeblow7777]

Maybe the Mini will get the same treatment as the 2017 iPad; go back to the thicker, non-laminated form of the Mini 2/3, put in an A9, and price it cheaper. Thus the iPad line becomes Pro models and budget models. Right now the Mini 4 is sort of in between.

 

[gobikerider]

Maybe the Mini will get the same treatment as the 2017 iPad; go back to the thicker, non-laminated form of the Mini 2/3, put in an A9, and price it cheaper. Thus the iPad line becomes Pro models and budget models. Right now the Mini 4 is sort of in between.

My prediction exactly iPad Mini will go budget like the new "iPad" has. Its simply too small to be a Pro device. I feel the majority that buy the Mini are watching movies, listening to music and reading novels. I'd find it very difficult to work on that small screen.

 

[nutriousmitten]

With the name not changing and the storage getting bumped two weeks ago, I am guessing that's it at least for this year.I doubt the Mini gets anything of the IPP is getting one in April.

A Mini Pro at any point would be a surprise. Keyboard and pencil support doesn't jive with the small screen. However, a bezeless Mini that pushes it to a 8.7 inch screen would get very interesting.

Hell I literally picked up a Mini 4 today, a clearance 32gb, as waiting for upgraded IPP. Our kid has a Mini 2 and this is thinner and lighter. Even if it is on its way out the door, it will be useful for a few years yet and really like the form factor.

 

[joeblow7777]

My prediction exactly iPad Mini will go budget like the new "iPad" has. Its simply too small to be a Pro device. I feel the majority that buy the Mini are watching movies, listening to music and reading novels. I'd find it very difficult to work on that small screen.

True, but I also do pretty much everything I would do on a larger iPad on mine. I write emails, post on forums (most of my posts here, including this one, are done on my Mini 4), and sometimes access and edit documents. Nothing extensive, but I hope that Apple continues to see the Mini as more than just a glorified e-reader.

 

[gobikerider]

True, but I also do pretty much everything I would do on a larger iPad on mine. I write emails, post on forums (most of my posts here, including this one, are done on my Mini 4), and sometimes access and edit documents. Nothing extensive, but I hope that Apple continues to see the Mini as more than just a glorified e-reader.

Idk i doubt it sales outpace the larger models and for that reason I dont see it gaining a Pro model but rather just joining the "iPad" as a device without all the bells and whistles.

 

[joeblow7777]

Idk i doubt it sales outpace the larger models and for that reason I dont see it gaining a Pro model but rather just joining the "iPad" as a device without all the bells and whistles.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not necessarily pushing for a Mini Pro. I just don't think that the Mini line should be sold short, so to speak.

 

[nutriousmitten]

If they ever did update to a 5, probably very close or exact same as 2017 IPad, unless there are a larger surplus of some other processors laying around Foxconn. Faster Touch ID maybe as well since those modules will be around, maybe a better camera, but can't see them touching the chassis or screen.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

I see a lot of this claiming that an iPad mini isn't as productive as a 9.7" iPad. I find it to be the opposite, and refer to my post in a different thread.

I realise it is a personal preference thing, but the only disadvantage I see is with full side by side split view and even here it is on essentially equal footing as the 9.7" iPad. (I mostly use multitasking in ¾ a ¼ view anyway in my own personal usage.) I find the 364 PPI and the smaller form factor much more enjoyable to use and easier to just flip out have with me on the go. Not the same experience AT ALL as an iPhone or iPhone Plus. I have always found that assertion to be a bit disingenuous. A much more convenient and matching companion device to the rMB that is my primary corporate professional machine. Can access my entire business apps and cloud services, and in a pinch could work on it all day and not run into a situation where I could not do my work from this machine.

A mini Pro with Pencil support would be an excellent note taking tool, even better in my opinion than the 9.7" iPad. Think an A6 sized notepad. Especially for those who complain their fingers are too fat for the 7.9" form factor the Pencil would be a perfect navigational tool if you are actively using it for note taking anyway...

Given the projected sales numbers of the mini form factor, I don't think Apple is interested in retiring it at all. Admittedly trying to interpret Apple's actions is at best a crap shoot, but I read their move as not giving the mini the "New iPad" budget treatment as a sign we're going to get something more significant from this screen size later on this year in the form of a "Pro" moniker device. Could easily be wrong, and if it doesn't pan out at way this year, then it may really be the end of the line...

But I almost think it would be too perfect to not have a 7.9" Pro matched to the 10.5" Pro in the same way the 9.7" Pro is matched to the 12.9" Pro. Higher margins for all of those devices as well, then 7.9" and 9.7" introductory non-pro models.

• 7.9" & 9.7" Pro's with A10's Trutone, 4 Speakers, etc. 2GB RAM
• 10.5" & 12.9" Pro's with A10X's Trutone, 4 Speakers, etc. 4GB RAM (because screen resolution)
• 7.9" & 9.7" non-Pro's with A9's, lesser cameras and screens, etc 2GB RAM.