iPad mini iPad mini 5 vs iPad 8

[Zephar77]

In the Apple store the return button and disappeared, as I missed it by three days. But I called and they extended it so I could return it to buy another iPad five mini, and was hoping I could just get it exchanged and send me a refurbished one, but they wouldn’t do that and would only refund me the $205 they gave me for the trade-in. Now I have to spend $400 for another iPad 5 mini. However I have a $216 store credit which I keep forgetting about and been sitting there for years I can use. Another thing to think about is there might be an Apple event mid March and rumors of a new iPad mini, but my expiration date to return my iPad eight is 13 March and the event supposedly by rumor is 16 March. I think it’s kind of soon for a new iPad mini six, but it’s supposed to be an inch larger which would be perfect and of course a lot of other improvements and probably $100 more, but they’re predicting it to be the same price $399.

 

[kazmac]

^I’d return the 8 and wait.

We tried buying iPad 8s to upgrade mom’s faulty iPad 7th gen, but those were damaged and had faulty speakers.

I hope there is an Air 4-like Mini 6 that is lighter. If so, I’ll buy that and trade in our iPad 6 and 7s.

 

[Zephar77]

^I’d return the 8 and wait.

We tried buying iPad 8s to upgrade mom’s faulty iPad 7th gen, but those were damaged and had faulty speakers.

I hope there is an Air 4-like Mini 6 that is lighter. If so, I’ll buy that and trade in our iPad 6 and 7s.

Thanks for your confirmation of what I felt was the way to go. I did just as you stated above, and now enjoying my new iPad 5 Mini, which is much better looking screen, double the memory, and faster vs the iPad 8. Much faster. I think having the same A12 chip slows down the iPad 8 with the bigger screen, more pixels to render, even though it is at a LOWER resolution, which I found hard to believe. I tried to get my old iPad 5 Mini back, or even a refurbished one, so I would not have to buy a new one. I lost over $200 on that deal; but, still much happier with the iPad 5 mini. You really notice it when using Voice Control, which must require a lot of CPU, as it took several seconds to implement a command on the 8, but instantaneous on the 5 mini.
There are NO iPads refurbished from Apple, as they are high demand. I can even get $150 for the 4 mini, which I should have done buying the 5 mini, but figured I'd get the recycle notice like I did on an older Apple Watch for a new Series 6. Lots of MacBooks, but NO iPads at all. I'll ask if I can still trade in after the fact; but, suspect that will not fly. Hope for a mini 6 on the 26th! Or whenever the new stuff is announced. Will they be available immediately to order after an event, does anyone know, have experience? Best, Zephar

 

[Zephar77]

About 2 months ago, I traded my 32GB Mini 4 and 128GB iPad 6th gen for a 256GB Mini 5. Every once in a while I feel a little twinge about the smaller size because there is always some situation where I'll think, "I wish I had a larger screen"... mostly during FaceTime calls.

The same thing happened when I downsized from from 12.9 Pro to the 6th Gen iPad. But I knew as time passed, those times would become less frequent... especially in those situations when I've had the smaller form-factor and thought, "I'm glad that I have the smaller one, I wouldn't be able to use the larger one here.".

...and because the Mini 5 uses the same body as the Mini 4, all of the Mini 4 accessories work with the 5. Smartcovers, keyboard cases, etc. all work and they can be had for very little money... new Apple smartcovers for the Mini 4 are $10-15. (I have black, and Product (RED) ). I'm really digging the Zagg keyboard case on those occasions where I simply want a netbook-like experience.

Having said that, if you aren't one to take your iPad out and about or if thin and light aren't a top priority, then I can see why the 8th gen has appeal. If I wanted a larger iPad, I'd get the 8th gen in a heartbeat without regret.

There is one thing that does not work well with an iPad 4 Mini cover for use with iPad 5 Mini. It will cover one of the microphones, and dictation will not work well. The 2nd mic is in the top back vs top side on the 4 Mini, and a 4 cover will cover that mic. I have both iPad 4 and 5 Mini's and Spec covers for each, now. At first. used the 4 cover, and Voice Control and Dictation was quite frustrating, giving all sorts of weird words. Finally did a search, as I could not see any difference on inspection. The hole is so small, but it is part of the case, and resonates with it, as with an iMac. I had to replace the mic on an iMac under warranty and to the great surprise to both the Apple certified place and myself they sent an entire iMac without any innards. They had to transplant all the organs to the new case! I guess one cannot just plug in another mic. It is part of the case itself, taking in all resonant tones and overtones. That explains why they work so much better than other PC's.
Zephar